Let's get some housekeeping out of the way:
Nothing in canon exists. Some of it will be referenced but the details will be different.
Zelena never goes after Snow's baby and is a decent sister to Regina.
Robin is here, sort of.
Killian and Emma will be more like best friends.
Rumple takes being a grandfather very seriously.
Lastly, this isn't a consistent story.
Emma,
If you are reading this, then my job is done. Your memories will filter back in slowly, so please, try not to push your mind to do more than it can. I know what Blue did to you. But the truth is far more complicated than I have time to explain. Your life has been manipulated since the day you were born. Even before you were born, it was ensured that you would never live the life you were meant to. You were prophesied to restore everyone's happy endings, but yours was never an option. The cards were stacked to keep you desperate and miserable. So when you reached Storybrooke, it was inevitable that you would fall victim to Blue and her manipulations again.
Your life has never been yours, Emma. But I am trying to make things right.
The necklace will help you get into Storybrooke without attracting Blue's attention. The barrier is under her control now, but you should know it is not the same place you might remember. The home you knew no longer exists. Now, before you panic or think the worst, Henry is okay. I cannot tell you more than that, but he is alive and in good hands.
As for Regina…
A public execution is scheduled for individuals deemed too dangerous for society in three days. You must stop that execution. There are holding cells in the mines. After midnight, Leroy will be the main one on patrol. Do not underestimate him. The others will be asleep at the convent, and Doc will not arrive to change shifts until eleven-thirty. The entrance is spelled to keep people out, but that necklace will keep you undetected. Do not lose that necklace, Emma. It is the only chance you have at saving Regina and getting home.
Please, Emma. I know you never liked this name, but Storybrooke needs a Savior.
Tinkerbell.
P.S.
Tell Regina I was wrong. Robin was never her happy ending.
Emma exited the gas station and rubbed the side of her head. She briefly forgot that she was no longer in her bug when she didn't see the bright yellow car in the lot. She hadn't been happy about her bug breaking down. But the anger came from being without transportation more than from losing her most treasured possession. It took way too much time and the entirety of her savings to get a new one. Her options had been limited to an Expedition or a Prius. So, Emma emptied her account, paid the "discounted" price for the SUV, and left. She paused outside of her window and checked her reflection. The person looking back at her wasn't the woman she remembered. It'd been two days since Tinkerbell showed up on Emma's doorstep, and there'd been no changes. Emma wasn't technically blonde, but it was closer to brown than anything, and her eyes were almost golden. Not to mention the mark on her neck shaped like half a star. She rubbed the skin around it, feeling an unfamiliar warmth beneath her skin.
"With every answer, I find more questions," she murmured.
Emma dropped her hand and got into the car, ducking behind the wheel. The fear of not saving Regina was enough to forgo the questions brewing in her mind. She backed out of her spot and got on the highway, heading North. Eight months was a long time to forget about Henry, her parents, and all she left behind. Living as Cameron Little in Portland, Maine, was an experience. Cameron had no friends, pets, or memory of her life before taking a wrong turn somewhere near Canada. She was a former boxer turned bartender with shoulder problems. Reaching the bottles on the top shelf was a luxury she no longer had, so Cameron delivered cocktails all night.
Blue had it all planned out down to the passport tucked in Emma's – Cameron's – luggage.
Portland wasn't bad, though. Emma had a decent apartment, within walking distance to many places, and there was potential to make friends. She just never did. Partly because there were nights when Emma would stand in her bathroom and trace her stretch marks. It was the sole reminder of Henry, and Emma couldn't even remember it. She also noticed a buzzing in her veins like there were bees trapped under her skin, and the static energy left Emma restless. She resigned herself to a life where she'd always wonder what she was running from but surrendered to her new reality. The best way to escape the unknown lurking in the back of her mind was to do enough crazy shit so that it never mattered. During the day, Emma would dream of apple trees and a faceless boy with brown hair. But when the day ended and her night began, Emma threw her hair into a messy bun and got to work. She drank grown men under the table and let beautiful women take her out, never letting it go beyond dinner. Sanctuary Tattoo became her favorite place to hang out, and she had plenty to show for it. It was a decent life, one Emma was growing to love, and then a blonde on the verge of death knocked on her door. She had little time to react before the blonde blew dust at her.
When Emma came to, her memories slowly started coming back. Her heart dropped into her stomach once the puzzle became clearer. She sat up on her couch, but her apartment was empty. On the table, there was a letter and a necklace. After that, everything was a blur. It was clear from Tink's tone that she wasn't coming back in a literal sense. And Emma didn't know how she felt about the possibility of Tinkerbell being dead. Death was strange to her, but it was worse knowing that the fairy probably sacrificed herself to save Emma's life. But she didn't have time to mourn.
Her timeline of seventy-two hours dwindled to twelve in the blink of an eye, especially after her car broke down, so Emma wasn't interested in cutting it any closer. She sped up, praying that she made it on time.
Death To The Evil Queen!
Good Triumphs All!
Long Live The True Queen!
Emma rode through the sleepy town with a growing sense of dread. Tink was right about the necklace helping her get through. With the windows down, the air was thick with Blue's magic. It was everywhere and on everything. The clock showed 10:48 p.m., and Emma decided to spend a little time going to places that she remembered. The station was empty with the lights off, and Emma clicked her tongue. That was something she needed to change whenever she got her life in order. A police station should never be closed. Granny's diner was boarded up with a sign in the window that read 'Closed Until.' The parking lot of Town Hall had been turned into a showcase for the gallows built right in front, leaving no question as to whether Tinkerbell was telling the truth or not. There would be an execution soon, and Emma shuddered at the morbidity.
But what caught her attention was the memorial in the park.
"What the fuck?" Emma whispered.
Emma was immortalized as a statue with a sword raised high and in what appeared to be a dress, and she wanted to be sick. It was supposed to capture who Snow and David saw her as. But it was so far off from the truth. It was outlandish and flamboyant, and Emma wanted to set it on fire. There was a plaque beneath it, and Emma didn't need to read it to know it was a bunch of philosophical bullshit about how the force of good would prevail even after death.
Emma ground her teeth and shut off the lights once she got closer. Choosing a spot near the trees, Emma shut off the engine and collected her breath. She reached into her glove compartment and removed her weapon. She had to buy a gun after a customer followed her home one night, and she'd be damned if she didn't take it with her. Without having control over her magic, Emma needed a backup plan. Once she was ready, she slipped on a jacket and got out of the car. Emma sprinted through the shadows of the trees toward the mines and ducked behind the rocks. She peeked around as Leroy paced back and forth. He had an ax in one hand and a beer in the other, but Emma had enough of her memories to remember that Leroy had slow reflexes when he drank. She picked up a nearby stone and tossed it in the opposite direction of where she hid. As Emma expected, Leroy's head turned away, his ax raised in preparation, and Emma ran up behind him. She jumped over the top of the rocks and tackled Leroy to the ground. His ax fell out of reach, and Emma had to switch arms in enough time to slam the butt of her gun against his head. It took a few tries, but she knocked him out cold. Emma rolled her shoulder and glanced at her watch, seeing 11:04 reflecting at her.
Emma grabbed the ax and the keys from his waist. It was clear that Tink had been right. There was a barrier around the entrance, but Emma slipped through. Still, she counted down from thirty, waiting for Blue or someone to appear, but when no one came, Emma allowed herself to relax enough for her to have a clear head. She walked further into the mines with her gun raised, squinting through the dim lighting as she searched for Regina. Eventually, Emma came across a cage. But it wasn't Regina inside.
Maleficent and Lily curled around each other. They both looked and smelled as if they hadn't showered in weeks. Their hair was matted to their foreheads, and each had a leather collar around their neck. Emma's feet moved before her brain told them to, and she was quick to unlock the door. Lily lifted her head, and Emma lowered her weapon, kneeling to Lily's level. They stared at one another, and Lily's eyes fell to the mark on Emma's neck. They turned orange, and Emma felt her magic react. She hissed and slapped a hand against her neck as it started to burn, and Lily crawled over Maleficent. She raised her hand and traced the outline of Emma's face, searching for something. But Emma didn't know what. All she knew was that her magic was calm for the first time since she arrived in town. Lily pushed Emma until they were outside of the cage. Under the light, Emma felt an irrational rage come over her. Lily had burns on her lips and throat, and it was clear there was damage done to her vocal cords. Lily leaned forward and rested her head on Emma's shoulder. Something warm seeped through Emma's jacket, and she wrapped her free arm around Lily. She allowed herself a moment before pulling away and kissing the side of Lily's head without concern for her current state.
"Is your Mom able to stand?"
Lily shook her head and turned, pointing at Maleficent's ankle, which was swollen and purple. Emma cursed inwardly, but then Lily made a carrying motion with her hands.
"Are you sure?"
Lily nodded once, and Emma let the conversation drop.
"Where is Regina?"
Lily held up three fingers, and Emma assumed that meant the third cage.
"Thank you. Be prepared to leave," Emma paused and glanced at her watch, "eighteen minutes?"
Lily gave her a thumbs up and shooed her away. Emma left her with the ax and the utmost faith that she could carry Maleficent out of the cell. Emma again raised the gun and moved further into the mines. Part of her felt like she wouldn't need it, but old habits die hard. The further she went, the colder it got, and Emma shivered when she made it to the second cell. Rumple had a suppression cuff on his wrist, and Emma hated the lack of emotion in his eyes. There'd always been something burning in Rumple's gaze from their previous interactions. But the man in front of her was broken and detached. That scared her more than anything. Rumple blinked when Emma unlocked his door, and he finally noticed her. But Emma didn't stick around. She picked up speed as she jogged further into the mines, and Emma reached the last cell. It was attached to a fourth one that was empty, and Emma didn't want to think about the person that'd been inside. There were bloody fingerprints on the stone, highlighted by the one lantern that rested against the far wall. It looked like a torture chamber. Shaking off the disgust, Emma stepped up to the third cell and put down her gun. The former Queen wore a thin gown that left her exposed to the elements. She had the same cuff as Rumple, but it was around her neck instead of her wrist. Her face was sunken in, and Emma didn't want to think about the bruises on Regina's thighs and arms.
"Gina?" she whispered.
There was no response, and that's when Emma realized Regina wasn't moving.
"Shit, shit. No, no, no," Emma muttered, putting away the gun.
Emma rushed forward, almost ripping the lock clean off instead of using the key. She got inside and dropped down next to Regina. She cupped her face, noting how cold Regina's skin was to the touch, and she shook her head.
"Hey, Gina?" she said.
There was still no response, and Emma started to panic. She bent down and kissed Regina's forehead, trying to will some warmth back into Regina's body.
"Come on, baby. Don't do this to me."
Regina's body remained almost frozen, and Emma cursed under her breath. She took off her jacket and got it onto Regina's body with little effort. Emma scooped Regina and grimaced at how light Regina was before practically running back to the entrance. She expected Rumple and the others to be gone, but they were waiting for her. Leroy's ax lay in pieces in front of Lily, and Maleficent was half-conscious. But Lily wasn't the one holding her. It was Rumple. Filing that away for a later day, Emma raced past them, stepping over Leroy, and led them toward her car. Rumple kept pace, as did Lily, and the four of them made it to her car without attracting attention. Rumple cradled Maleficent in the back, and Emma reluctantly passed Regina to Lily so she could hold her. Emma started the car but kept the lights off as she sped away. The silence grated her nerves, but one person couldn't talk, and the other two were unconscious. That left Rumple, who seemed lost in thought. Eventually, he sighed and caught Emma's eyes in the rearview mirror.
"Is it safe to assume that Tinkerbell will not return to Storybrooke?"
"You knew?"
"Who do you think gave her the dust?" he asked.
"But why?"
"Despite our past, Emma, I had grown to appreciate your presence in town. Blue's actions crossed a line I did not care for."
"And Tink?"
"Tinkerbell had always skated the outskirts of Blue's awareness. When Tinkerbell discovered the truth, she came to me. I procured the items she needed before things went sideways."
"Like how?"
"I could ask you the same."
Emma shrugged one shoulder and said, "The last thing I remember is Blue leading me to the town line. She threw something in my face, and I woke up outside town. I had memories that weren't mine floating through my head, and I had no other option than to trust what I was given."
"Does that explain your new look?"
"No," Emma said, frowning. "I thought it was a side effect, but I looked like this before Tinkerbell found me. I want to say it will change over time, but I don't think it will."
"Why?"
"Because I feel a change inside of me too. I think this goes deeper than the surface."
"In more ways than one," he said.
Another silence fell over them, and Emma reached a literal crossroad.
"Turn right and keep going until you reach a dead end. Then you will turn left." Rumple waited until she followed his instructions before continuing, "But to answer your initial question, I assume you saw your statue?"
"Unfortunately. What does the plaque say?"
"Here lies the Savior. An eternal reminder that good will live on even in death."
Emma snorted and mentally slapped herself on the back.
"Yes, I had a similar reaction when they erected it." Rumple rolled his eyes and added, "Your death sparked dissension, and such became the fate of Storybrooke."
"What do you mean?"
"Henry was the one who reported you were missing, but I believe Regina was truly the first. She came to my stop hours before Henry went to the station, and she did a location spell. When it kept swinging, Regina knew something was wrong. For once, I had no idea what would happen next. But Regina said she felt something in her chest that wasn't right. Once the announcement was made that you were missing, search parties went out. Henry was in the group that found a body floating in the lake. All I will say is that the face was unrecognizable, but the blonde hair, red jacket, and badge made it easy for people to jump to conclusions. Your doppelganger had been shot twice before going into the water, and David matched the bullet to your gun. At first, it was ruled a suicide, but there was another set of fingerprints on the weapon."
"Regina's."
"Indeed. Henry formed a small group who didn't believe Regina killed you. It was impossible for many reasons, but Regina's past was a huge indicator. And it doesn't help she tried before."
"I thought we moved on from that."
"Some did, most didn't. Regina was charged with murder, and Kathryn jumped to her defense. We all knew that Regina was going to prison. It was inevitable when it came down to a jury of her peers. Henry fought hard for his mother, but it was a fruitless endeavor. The trial," he paused, "changed things. Sides were chosen, lines were drawn, and the foundation was laid for what we have now. Regardless, it took less than a month to find Regina guilty. She was taken away, cut off from her magic, and lost her title as mayor. Snow was elected as her replacement, and David became the Sheriff. The power shifted within days, and with Snow at the helm, Storybrooke slowly reverted to a town similar to the White Kingdom. Evil was evil with no chance for redemption, and good could do no wrong."
"What happened to my son?"
"Henry is no longer your Prince," Rumple said honestly. "Losing Regina and you changed him in many ways. But none more so than his belief in the supposed good side of the fight. I'd say he grew up faster than he needed to. He was isolated by his peers at school and got into several fights before he was expelled. Fred, Kathryn's husband, was fired because Kathryn decided to support Regina, and Kathryn lost her job as the town's main legal consultant."
"Ruby and Granny?"
"Lost their business because they refused to pick a side."
"Killian?"
"Someone set his ship on fire, and he was homeless before I took him in."
"What? Why?"
"Anyone with blood on their ledger or an ounce of darkness in their hearts became a target."
"No, I meant why did you take him in?"
"I felt no joy in watching Killian sleep at the docks next to the remains of his ship."
"How is he now?"
"Again, I haven't seen him since I was arrested. I can only hope he found somewhere safe to stay. Snow had many of us taken into custody, a clear sign that Storybrooke had become her kingdom. Maleficent, Lilith, and I were the only ones who survived sans Regina. Some were never caught, but blood was spilled on behalf of the greater good. Before that, we all tried to find Regina to rescue her. But her location was kept a secret. It wasn't until we were moved into the mines did we realize why that was the case."
Emma didn't want to know the truth, but she said, "Regina has bruises on her thighs."
"They are the spoils of war, I believe someone said."
"Someone?"
"You would be amazed at how many people came into those mines when heads were turned," Rumple said, eyes losing that spark again. "What all they got away with in the name of goodness."
"Lily's burns?"
"Albert Spencer poured acid down her throat when she kept screaming."
"Maleficent's ankle?"
"Someone closed the cell door on it when she tried crawling away."
"You?"
"I was the Dark One, dearie. My punishment was to watch my protégé and friends get tortured with no ability to help any of them. The sweetest relief for us all would have been death." Emma tightened her grip on the wheel when she felt sick, and Rumple sighed. "Stop that. This wasn't your fault. What's done is done, and what matter is that you're here now."
Emma took the hint and ended the conversation. She came to the dead-end as Rumple said and turned left. There was a driveway ahead, and Emma had to turn on her lights as they drove through the woods. The trees opened up to a nice-sized cabin and Barnhouse with cars around it.
"Welcome to the Hideout, Miss Swan," Rumple said. "Tink called it a haven after Regina's arrest made things difficult. Only a select few know about it."
"But the place is surrounded by magic? Aren't all the magic users in this car?" Emma asked, parking the car near the front.
"Zelena still has her magic."
"Who?"
Rumple gave Emma an odd look, and he said, "Zelena? Regina's sister."
"I have no idea who you're talking about. I thought Regina was an only child? Cora sure as hell made it seem like it."
"Emma, what is the last thing you remember?"
"What?"
"It's important. What is the last thing you remember before you met up with Blue?"
A pair of spotlights coming on and shining directly into the car distracted Emma a little before she said, "That whole thing with Pan. Like we defeated him, and everything went back to normal. Or what was normal for us." When silence was her only response, she saw Lily and Rumple staring at her with matching expressions of fear. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
"Emma, what year do you think it is?" Rumple asked.
"What?"
"The year, Miss Swan! What year do you think it is?"
"Fuck, calm down! It's 2013."
Another tense silence fell over them, and Emma jumped when the doors popped open. She came face-to-face with a rifle and a teenager with a cold look in his eyes. Around her, several familiar and unfamiliar faces crowded the car. Killian was there, as were Nick and Ava with Jefferson and Grace, and a redhead was hanging around the back near the entrance. Fred and Kathryn stood with her, and they seemed as if Emma's arrival was expected. How many people did Tinkerbell tell? She refocused on the boy in front of her when the coldness melted away into disbelief. He lowered the gun and took a small step back.
"Ma?" he whispered.
Emma's entire world came crashing down. She shook her head, refusing to get out of the car.
"No, this – this isn't real. You're not real," Emma said. "This is another one of Blue's tricks."
"Ma, it's me," Henry said.
"No! You were just a kid when I left!"
Henry frowned and looked at Rumple, who passed Maleficent to Jefferson. Killian led Lily into the house with Regina, and the redhead followed Lily inside. Something told her the woman was Zelena, but everything was trying to reassemble itself in Emma's mind.
"What's wrong with her?" Henry asked.
"I don't think she has all of her memories back," Rumple sighed.
"But she knows who I am."
"You haven't changed that much," Rumple said, chuckling. "But to Emma, you're an entirely different person. She doesn't even remember Zelena."
"Wait, if she doesn't remember Aunt Z, does that mean-
"Unfortunately, yes. And I believe that was the intention."
Emma grew tired of them talking about her like she wasn't there, and she exclaimed, "Can one of you fucking explain why the eleven-year-old boy I used to know is now wielding a weapon? This is not eight months' worth of growth!"
"You're right," Rumple said, putting his hand on Henry's shoulder. "The last time anyone saw you was at two-fifteen p.m. on March 15th, 2013, when you escorted Regina back to her office after lunch."
"I remember that."
"While that's good, it's also concerning. Because as of right now, today's date is March 14th, 2015."
"You've been gone for almost two years, Ma," Henry whispered.
"But I – I was just in Portland? Everything said 2013."
"You saw whatever Blue wanted you to see," Rumple explained gently. "Her spell was not limited to Storybrooke."
Emma whimpered and grabbed her head.
"Come on, Ma," Henry sighed. "Let's get you inside. We have a lot to talk about."