Emma flew to South Carolina then drove to Storybrooke on her own. She still cannot control her anger on the entire ride because she wants to beat the life out of her. She felt that Berta has no right to think she can do anything regarding Regina because Berta doesn't think twice what she is doing to her.
Zelena offered Berta and Razi to stay with them for another two days, and they were happy to stay because they don't want to go back to Storybrooke alone with Emma running around the town. Regma and Nardia became semi-friendly with Razi, but they kept their distance as much as they can. Both of the girls go everywhere with Zelena; they loved how Aunt Zee talks and her sarcastic sayings to strangers that are so blunt that she doesn't care what they think of her. Emma paid two tickets for Regma and Nardia on Zelena's account, and Berta gave her money as well, so Zelena can pay all the tickets online at the same time instead of individually. Emma told Zelena to inform what time they will land close to Storybrooke, so Emma and Henry can pick them up. Briefly, Zelena and her husband got into an argument because he hasn't seen her for a year, but she promises she will be back in a few weeks. He does not understand the magical world or how it works, but he understands that family is essential, so he paid someone to drive all of them in a van from the airport. Zelena didn't want to be the only one in the family; somehow, having Regina in her life made her feel complete.
Emma arrived a day early to get things settled and look for silver items for Dark One's vault in the shop while explaining to Charmings what the plan is. The Charmings disagreed and kept arguing with her, but Emma was determined to bring Regina back, whatever the cost. When Emma couldn't find it, then she went to the underground vault to search for it. Hope begged to join while Emma doesn't mind, but prefers Hope doesn't because it will be a dangerous journey, and doesn't know what will happen. Emma didn't want Hope to be upset if it doesn't end well the way she hopes.
Everyone arrived at the airport in the mid-morning because Zelena found cheap tickets at 5 AM, Berta, Razi, and Nardia rode with Henry because Zelena bought her daughter, so the car seat takes up most of the room. Zelena strap her daughter as she spoke when she sees how Emma is distressed more than usual, "I know you're worried, but are you alright?"
Regma helped Zelena with a car seat while Emma didn't say anything at the moment. Henry followed Emma back to Storybrooke, midway Emma pondered on how this would work then asked Zelena, "I am not sure if this will work … what will happen to us?"
Zelena replied as she tilted her head to Regma as she nodded, "We do have a backup plan if it doesn't work."
Emma's eyes crossed then looked at Regma in the mirror, "Zelena, it will not work because Regina made sure part of Regma's essence extracted from her body."
Zelena sighs, unsure how Emma will take it, "Actually, she didn't. She simply inactivated it. All we need to do is to actuate it.
Emma replied with passion rage, "What the hell do you mean she didn't?"
Regma interrupted before Emma could be upset with mom, "Ma, it is because it came from you, so mom blocked the essence of Dark One in me, but it doesn't mean it completely took it out."
Emma heaves a sigh heavily, still upset, "I don't like this, not one bit."
Regma reminded, "I know, and she can be mad at us, but it'll bring her back if your plan doesn't work."
Zelena nodded while touched her shoulder, which entirely focused on driving, "It'll work out, Emma. It is best Regma and Nardia come along because if we don't, then they will go on their own."
Regma beams how well Zelena knows them eyeing Emma, "You know I will. I am going with or without your consent."
Emma rolled her eyes, "Fine … However, in the Enchanted Forest, what Zelena or I say, goes."
Regma smiled mischievously, "You would think."
Zelena laughs lightly slapped Regma's legs then Emma glared at her through the mirror with that response. Regma cleared her throat then Zelena stopped laughing. Zelena forgot about Berta as she thought about her knowing she will be hungry, "Emma, do you think we can stop at a restaurant and eat breakfast while we are in town?"
Emma was surprised at the question because Zelena doesn't usually eat just like Regina, "We are only about an hour to Storybrooke."
Berta sat in the back with Razi while Nardia sits in the front seat with Henry listening to loud rock music. They both have been bickering about the music since they both have different types, then Berta made a suggestion, "why don't we simply turn it off or you both can find a music that you both like?"
They both end up deciding to turn it off, then Henry asked Nardia, "What's with you?"
Nardia has been bothered the entire ride without meaning to bicker with Henry worried for Berta since she's connected to Dark One, "Nothing …"
They all arrived at the manor, but Berta asked Henry to drop her off at Granny's Diner with Razi. Emma wanted to hurry and get on with it, but Zelena needed to drop off her daughter first about to speak but decided to against it. Emma and Nardia chatted in the living room because they are not hungry since they are a nervous wreck. An hour later, everybody finally returned to the manor, and Berta packed food for the journey in case if she's hungry.
Emma got frustrated and tired of waiting for everybody while hating Berta, even more, being there, "Let's go, guys."
Zelena nodded, noticed how upset Emma looked, "Emma, thank you for waiting, and let's go to Town Hall to the portal room."
Berta was disappointed in how Emma is acting towards her, so she bought her aside while speaking to them, "I need to speak to Emma privately, excuse me." She pulled her into the office, "Emma, why are you still angry with me? What did I do wrong?"
Emma was utterly displeased with Berta how she forces her into the office, "You made Regina need you, and I don't know how to complete with you."
Berta asked puzzled with that statement, "That's funny because … you know, I tried everything with Regina, but she rejected my advances so many times over. Why are you, jealous? I don't understand."
Emma was astounded by that information, then Berta spoke up, "I know you are angry with me, but I hope we both find common ground because we are going to Enchanted Forest."
Emma frown as she sighs spoke bluntly, standing up for her love, "No, I'm not angry with you. I do not trust you at all because you say you love her and all, but you kept hurting her without a thought. Look what you did to her again, and she still does it for you, which concerns me. I do not like what you are doing to her."
Berta took it all in and accepted the blame then felt hurt by her words, "I know … I am not the one for her because you hold her above the water. That is something I can never do for Regina, no matter how hard I try. I wouldn't trust me either, but from now on, I promise I do right by her and you. A lot of things will change from now on, you'll see."
Emma laughs, "I heard that before" then left the office.
Berta doesn't know what else to do as she threw her arms up, "come on, Emma;" what does it take for Emma to take her seriously. It will change a lot from now on because she's pregnant, but she doesn't want to tell her. She knows that Regina would prefer to say to her herself than finding out from the second source. Berta followed her out, then the girls wanted to know if everything alright in the office, but Emma doesn't want to talk about it, "Let's just go."
Emma had everyone holding hands, then white aura smoked them, teleporting them to the portal room in the Town Hall. Berta felt sick all of a sudden when the white magic touched her as it affected her badly much worse than Regina's magic.
Zelena held her worried for her, "are you ok, Berta?"
Berta holds her for support, trying to breathe, "I don't feel so good."
Zelena conjured a bottle of water while everyone watches her confused except for Razi, who doesn't know what to do or what it meant. Berta thanked her as she took the bottle of water then drank it then remembered she needs her green gem necklace. Zelena faced Emma in a serious tone, "Emma, I need you to conjure my necklace."
Emma knows that she needs her magic before going to Enchanted Forest and to open the portal door, so she conjured her green necklace then handed Zelena smiling warmly.
Zelena thanks her while putting it on as full of light green filled her eyes as she smiled wickedly when her powers came back. She conjured Regina's wand to open the portal then told everyone to go on except for Berta. Zelena wanted until everyone walked across the threshold then turns facing Berta, "hold my hand, Berta."
Berta doesn't know why but she did, she asked as she watches her with her other arm over her belly, giving her boost. Berta felt instantly better then questioned, "What did you do to me?"
Zelena pointed to the portal door where Emma is, "It seems that your baby is not compatible with Emma's white magic. I gave you a magical boost to remove the effects it had on you."
Berta became jumbled by that touching her belly, "What does that mean for this baby?"
Zelena didn't want to answer, "Let's go. We don't want to keep everyone waiting."
Once both of them went across the portal, then Emma asked, "What took you both so long?"
Both of them shrugged, "Sorry," then Zelena spoke, making up a lie to cover up, "I needed to make sure my daughter is ok, so I made a quick call."
Regma and Nardia could read her lie so well, something is up they thought, but they didn't speak yet since they decided to wait until to talk in private.
Emma seems to believe her, so she replied, "did it come through?"
Zelena frowned, "No, it didn't. I was in a hurry, but don't worry about it."
Emma nodded, "I'm sorry," then she faced everyone, "we need to change clothes and to hide our identity."
Berta winces mentally, telling Zelena it was a bad idea, then Zelena stopped her, "Why don't I do it?"
Regma's eyes crossed when she noticed Berta's facial expression as she remained quiet. Emma waved her to go ahead. Zelena smiled as green aura surrounded them, changing into proper clothes. Emma dressed as brown leather pants and vest with a white shirt with boots; Regma and Nardia wore green mock neck double breasted dip hem peplum top like they are royal with black leather pants and boots. Zelena dressed Berta and Razi into the beautiful simple dark green dress that designed for royalty and forest life. Then she wore in her favorite tight green dress with hat smiling at all of them, "You guys look amazing!"
Regma and Nardia had their arms on the waist, "seriously, Aunt Zee?"
Zelena smiles, "Why not go out with a bang?"
Emma rolled her eyes disapproved of their dress style, "That is not what we are here for."
Zelena's honesty doesn't care, so she changed the subject, "we cannot teleport there, but we can closeby. That is why I dressed all of you with long sleeves, so you will be warm when we get there."
Emma held the key to unlock the vault in her hands, was hoping it'll be afternoon since they left in the morning, but it's evening when it is blanket with dark sky with stars filled with beautiful forest that you could smell the air, so she was disappointed, "Alright, let's get to it."
While Zelena teleported all of them nearby the Vault of the Dark One, but Regma had a different plan because she remembers that the Excalibur used to be Dark One sword, hoping it'll work for mom. However, Berta needs the right moment to slip away from them.
Nardia had read her mind, whispering, "What are you planning?"
Berta whispered back, "I need to get away for a moment," Nardia eyed, wondering what then Berta continued, "I need to go top of the mountain cave to get the Excalibur."
Nardia knows it is crucial for Berta to get it because of mom, so she agreed to help, but asked, "I thought the sword shattered by Hook and few others." It begins to snow as white filled the ground, then Emma as glad she is warm enough, but still felt the cold air. Zelena knew they are getting closer, but a few miles more.
Berta nodded, but wasn't sure how to explain, "It was destroyed in the original timeline, but Emma as Dark Swan changed it back to the original timeline, then it was here."
Nardia rolled her eyes as she groaned, "magic is so complex …"
Berta smiles because it was first to notice how much Nardia dislikes magic but, at the same time, likes to feel the essence of magic then wrapped her shoulder while all of them kept walking.
As they navigate through the forest to the vault, Emma spoke up to prepare what will happen, "Ok … it looks like we are getting closer," still walking within their earshot, "when we push down the key, do not let go no matter if the fire burns through your skin."
They all listened, then Zelena spoke to warn them, "It might not work, and everyone will be unconscious, but not dead. It draws part of our lifeblood's, so to resurrect the Dark One, must die in its place, but since there are four of us instead of one, then we all should be fine."
They all listened intensely while still walking until they were inches away from Vault of the Dark One. They all stood couldn't speak for a few moments trying to prepare what would happen next mentally.
Emma turns to face Regma and Nardia, "Stay here …"
Regma was pretending to act upset, "But …"
Emma growls at her furiously, pointing on the ground, "Stay … here."
Regma pointed at the vault, "You might need me, ma."
Emma ignored her while taking the key out of her pocket as she walked towards it, followed by Zelena, Berta, and Razi.
Regma doesn't believe their plan will work, so she whispered behind Nardia's ears, "I'll be right back. I'll need to teleport back to you, so stay here, or I'll get lost."
Nardia nodded quietly while watching the four kneeling facing each other.
Zelena voiced as she kneels between Emma and Berta, "Ready?"
All of them said yes when Emma put the key in the hole as she closes her eyes, whispering to herself, please work. All of them had their part of their thenar and thumbs tangled onto each other at the four corners of the key, preparing to push. They pushed down hard while feeling the burn of the skin as they cringe, then Emma swathe liquid of darkness begins filling the vault. All of them let go putting half of their hand on the snow, then Razi spoke, "damn … that hurts."
All of them felt part of the soul is drain as they felt their heart is about to give out, then all of them fell unconscious, then Nardia screamed, "Regma!"
cont. next chapter
