A/N: Hello there people! This is a one-shot/preview of a story I plan on making sometime in the future. In this AU, Emma is the Dark One in the Enchanted Forrest while Regina is being forced to marry the king. Rumplestilksin still taught Cora, and whatever else he did. But what's different is Emma killed him a bit before Regina was born (Say about 20 years before the events of this one-shot). There is still more to this story that I have yet to reveal, but I think I'll wait to tell it until I actually start writing the full story. I will say, however, that this story is going to be really dark. It doesn't really show in this one shot, but when I write the story, you'll see.
I hope you guys enjoy this! Let me know what you think!
Magic: a terrible, terrible thing. It destroys everything it touches; it burns until there is nothing left but ashes. It killed her lover and twisted her mother. But now, it was going to set her free.
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After Mother had killed Daniel, time became non-existent to Regina. It passed or it didn't, and she paid little notice either way. All she could pay attention to was her complete and utter pain. Her heart had been torn into tiny little pieces. Completely shattered beyond repair. Every movement she made sent shockwaves of fire through it and her body.
Ever since the incident (she refused to call it as it was. That would mean acknowledging what happened) her mind had become fogged with grief and anger. People would speak to her; her mother, her father, the servants; but she could not hear them. Their voices did not reach her. It's not like it mattered anyway, her opinions or thoughts were never going to be considered.
It was not until Regina was sitting in the King's castle, her wedding only a few days away, did something change.
The door to her chambers opened quietly. The only indication it had been opened was the swish of air that accompanied it. 'Another servant, come to bring me food', Regina thought, and stayed where she was. Staring out the large window was so much easier than facing another nameless person.
"Hello, your highness." A dark feminine voice greeted from right behind Regina. Her only acknowledgement was a slight jump from shock. If she ignored the servant, they would understand she wanted to be left alone. The solitude was her only solace, and she would not give it up easily.
But this person did not seem to understand that. Instead of leaving, they moved to the side, just barely in Regina's line of sight. After a moment of silence, they spoke once again, "It hurts, doesn't it? Losing someone you care about. Being led along like a sheep to the slaughter, and helpless to stop it?" The woman's voice was cold, but it held a hint of amusement.
Her vision flashed white. All the anger Regina had been feeling flared up at the woman's words. At that moment, Regina was ready to fight the woman. Pushed on by her feelings, Regina jumped up and turned onto the woman, "How dare you speak like that to me? I am your future Queen! What would you know of what I am going through?"
The woman only gave an infuriating smirk. Her blood red lips curled up and gave Regina the impression she had given the woman exactly what she wanted.
No. Regina was not going to play into another person's sick game.
Before Regina could continue, however, the woman spoke, "A lot, actually. You'd be surprised how much I can learn." As she spoke, she leaned against the wall.
Caught off guard, Regina examined the woman in front of her. She wore a black leather coat that came down past her knees. Her pants were also black leather tucked into black leather boots, which matched her black cotton shirt. All the black she wore contrasted heavily against her white hair and pale skin.
'She must have some sort of leather fetish,' Regina thought spitefully. After a moment, she grounded herself and finally spoke up, channeling all the lessons Mother forced upon her, "Who do you think you are? You are obviously not a servant; all of them know not to speak of matters that do not pertain to them."
The woman feigned offense as she brought a hand up to her chest and gasped, "You don't know who I am?"
Regina narrowed her eyes, "I would not have asked otherwise. Now, tell me who you are, or I will call for the guards."
The woman shrugged and twirled away from the wall, facing away from Regina, "I'm someone who can help you with your problems." She continued walking away from Regina and toward the full body mirror on the opposite wall.
"That does not answer my question." Regina growled. She prepared herself to yell loudly.
Once she reached the mirror, the woman turned around to face Regina again, one hand trailing across the reflective surface, "My name is Emma Swan. Ring any bells?"
Regina's body went cold. She had fucked up big time.
"You're the D-dark one?" She gasped, already thinking about how furious Mother will be when she finds Regina's body; how her father will probably cry for so long; and how Rocinante would need a new owner.
Interrupting Regian's spiraling thoughts, Emma said with a bow "The one and only."
"Why are you here?" Regina did her best to project confidence, but she could not keep her voice from quavering.
At Regina's question, a wide, bloody, grin split Emma's face. Stepping forward she threw her arms out to the side, "I'm here to offer you a deal."
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When Regina pushed her mother through the mirror, all she could feel was relief. Pure, unbridled relief. The person who had ruled her life so completely, who had tried to kill all the good in her, was gone. Mother could not touch her any longer. Even though, in just a few short hours, Regina still had to marry the terrible, suffocating, King, she was free at this moment. She was her own person.
But the universe was not her friend, even for a few minutes. This beautiful moment was interrupted by slow clapping, and a low, feminine chuckle.
"Wow, you almost had me in tears. That was quite the show."
Whipping around, Regina saw Emma standing at the other side of the chamber. Her dark, cold, eyes pierced directly into Regina's soul.
"Dark One!" Regina exclaimed, stepping backward. She had not been expecting Emma to show up so soon. She was still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions she just went through. It was too soon.
Sweeping forward, Emma got right up into Regina's personal space, "Really, your highness, that was something."
Hurriedly, Regina stepped backwards, "That was a private moment!" It was unnerving how Emma could just appear anywhere, and Regina was unable to stop it.
Emma shrugged, "I had to make sure everything went well. Cora is a strong bitch."
Unconsciously Regina bristled at the comment: that was her mother after all. But after taking in a deep breath, she made herself relax. It would not do to make the Dark One irritated. "Thank you. For the magic," She made herself say.
Emma waved her hand dismissively, "It's the least I can do. After all, you did agree to the deal."
Regina shuddered in remembrance, "It is not like I had a choice in the matter. You know what would happen if I did not agree." Irritated now, she crossed her arms and walked toward her bed. She was ready for this conversation to be over.
However, she was not expecting her throw-away comment to have such an effect on the Dark One. Without warning Emma was face to face with her, a snarl on her lips, "I never take away anyone's choice."
Regina jumped and gave a yelp of surprise. Emma ignored it and continued in a low, threatening, voice, "Don't you ever say otherwise." Her eyes, which had been so cold before, burned with anger, and something else Regina could not name. It was consuming in its rage, and Regina almost found herself getting lost in it.
But her life was at stake in that moment, so she shook herself free. Leaning backwards, Regina nodded. That was the right response, it seems, because Emma's mood did a one-eighty. She smiled, leaned backwards, and said softly, "Good. I'm glad we understand each other."
Without another word, she twirled around and began walking out of the room, leaving Regina utterly confused. Shaking slightly, she watched the Dark One walk away.
Just before Emma stepped over the threshold, she stopped and looked backwards, "I'll see you again soon, Regina. Make sure you're ready."
Then, she disappeared in a cloud of gray magic.
Regina stood still for a long while, unaware of the time passing. So much had happened in such a short amount of time, and it left Regina without solid ground. But, there was one thing Regina was certain of: the Dark One held her fate in her hands.
When servants began piling into the room, ready to prepare Regina for her wedding, she finally turned away from the door. Right now, she could not think about how precarious her future was. Right now, she has to be strong.
As the servants chatted lightly and made Regina look beautiful for the wedding, she whispered under her breath softly, "Long live the Queen."