(Regina's POV)

I lead Daniel down to the castle courtyard, where the source of the protection spell was located. All of my senses were on alert for any abnormal movement as we walked through the drafty hallways and stairwells. There was an uneasy feeling within me but I dismissed it for I knew that I had to focus on my task rather than worry about that witch. When we got to the landing, Daniel nodded towards the beacon and asked, "Is that it? The protection spell?"

I approached it with a whisper, "Yes." Then, I held my hand up to calm the magic. It latched onto my palm and I willed it down. I closed my eyes in concentration and soon enough, the last remnants of the spell disappeared. I turned around to Daniel but my breath was taken away when I saw that he no longer stood there behind me. I glanced frantically around and nearly had the fright of my life when a feminine accented voice sounded from the shadows, "You weren't even going to say hello first? It's not exactly the welcome I was expecting."

I snarled, "Come out so that I can see you, witch."

The figure slowly stepped out and I held back a remark as the shadows cast a particular glow that highlighted her dark green skin. She tilted her head and asked, "Now, what does a witch have to do to get your attention?"

I created a fireball in my hand and growled, "Where is he?"

"Your stableboy?" I frowned but she continued before I could reply. "Oh don't worry about him, he isn't harmed...yet."

I threw the ball of fire at the witch but she deflected it. She laughed and said, "Oh you do love him don't you?"

I immediately reached to choke the witch and for a few seconds, she was held into the air by my magic. Regrettably, she was able to break free from the force and in an instant, my feet were stunned. I snarled, "Don't you dare touch him-"

"Oh I'll give him back, if that's what you really want. I just need to have a little chat with you."

I glared at her and asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"

She stalked closer to me and muttered, "You really don't know who I am, do you?" I rolled my eyes and replied easily, "I know exactly who you are. The Wicked Witch."

"Is that all?" the witch asked with a raised eyebrow. I felt the magic binding me ease a bit so I poured my own powers against it and broke the bonds on my feet. I regained my stance and said in a bored tone, "I'm not that interested."

"Please, allow me to introduce myself. You can call me Zelena."

As she sashayed around, I noticed that the dress she wore was too familiar. Unlike Storybrooke, clothes were tailored, rather than bought in stores. I pointed to her clothes and remarked in a voice that barely hid the annoyance that was building up, "That's my dress."

"I had to take it in a little bit at the hips but it looks better on me, don't you think?" How dare she call me thick! "I think you should never have left Oz," I stated simply.

"My pretty, you can have your castle back if you want it so badly. I was just trying it on for size. Besides, I've already seen everything worth seeing. Your closet. Your gardens. Your crypt." A tiny lump formed in my throat. "Yes, how did you break the blood lock? The door was open, no one's that powerful," I reasoned. The witch threw me a fake expression of pity and murmured, "Did Cora really never tell you?"

I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow as I asked, "Tell me what?"

"The truth about us, Regina." I chuckled at the absurdity of this conversation. "What are you talking about? And how do you know my mother?"

The witch strode towards me dramatically in a slow pace. I had my magic ready but the tension between us prevented me from letting my powers loose. Then, she whispered with a sneer, "The same way you do. I'm your sister."

My heart stopped as I sucked in my breath. No. That's impossible. With a lighter spirit, she took a step back and added, "Actually, half-sister. But, details, details."

I was too stunned to say anything else rather than remark upon her emerald skin. "That's not possible, you're green."

"And you're rude. Cora had be first before she found her way into the dregs of royalty." Then, she paused and waved towards the interior of the castle to reason, "You know I'm telling the truth sister dear. How else could I have broken the door to the crypt? Our mother gave me up and sent me away. But you, you she kept. You she gave everything.

"Everything she wanted. If what you're saying is true, then you were lucky to escape her," I fumed.

"Oh enough of the martyr complex, Regina. Try growing up without a mother. Try living in Oz. Knowing that no one thought you were good enough. Not your mother. And not the only man that our paths both crossed. Rumplestiltskin."

"You knew Rumplestiltskin?" I stated, trying to hide my own disappointment with this new piece of information. As my mind flickered over the imp's acquaintances, I couldn't believe that this Witch was a part of his circle.

"Did you think you were his only student?" Zelena quipped. That's when I realized that this greenie was jealous of me. I stepped closer to her and after suppressing the fear that ran through my body, I sneered, "Let me guess; you're mad because he chose me to cast his curse. Well get over it, it wasn't everything it was cracked up to be."

"Anything would have been better than the life I had. But, despite my shortcomings I made something of myself, dear. And I didn't need Cora. Or Rumplestiltskin."

I tilted my head to one side and taunted, "Aww, it's too bad our mother's not around to see how well you've turned out. She's dead."

"Are you sure of that?" the witch said as she gave me a grin. Her sly expression put me off horribly. I suddenly felt a wave of dread and nausea sweep through my body. I said quickly, "She was killed-"

"Ah yes, she told me that you had wished her dead. Well sis, perhaps that's the one goal we both have. But alas, like your pathetic curse, you failed-"

"I buried her myself!" I roared, ignoring the feeling of guilt in my gut.

The witch crackled and waved her hand. A cloud of green smoke appeared near one of the flagpoles that stood in a circle around the courtyard. As it cleared, my deepest fears turned out to be true. I blinked several times but she was there, and she was alive. Well, apart from the fact that she was bound to the pole with a cloth over her mouth, I couldn't help but still feel intimidated by her presence. I gaped at her in shock but that only made the witch laugh harder. Then, I turned to her and growled, "What do you want?"

"To make you suffer of course. I'm going to take everything away from you that matters. Your fiance, your daughter...even our mother, but I doubt you'll want to save her."

I briefly overcame the shock and snarled at the witch, "You will not hurt either my fiance or my daughter. Where is Daniel? Give him back-"

"I'll make a deal with you, sister dear."

"I'm not dealing with you."

"Did I give you a choice? No. Here's where I have a bit of fun you see. I'm going to leave our mother here, and the only way you'll get you boyfriend back is if you untie her from those ropes."

I frowned, "What do you even want to accomplish from-"

The witch wiped the smirk off her face and cut into my sentence with a maniacal tone, "Chaos. I need you to suffer. You see, what's in store for me is all my dreams being realized. For you, its a fate worse than death."

"And you think our mother will do that?"

"No, but she'll be a lovely burden wouldn't she?"

I avoided looking in the direction where she was tied up and stepped towards the witch. Then, I set my best glare and seethed in a threatening tone, "Go ahead. Bring it, Greenie."

She widened her eyes in an amused way. "Oh indeed I will. See you soon, sis." Then, she held out her hand and summoned a broomstick. Hopping onto it, she left in a fit of cackling laughs. I narrowed my eyes at her as she left. What a typical wannabe. However, what worried me was that she had been powerful enough to break free from my magic. I sensed strong magic within her and I immediately worried for Daniel and my little firefly. Struggling muffled cries distracted me from my thoughts. I closed my eyes, knowing that I had no choice but to face the inevitable. I breathed deeply and turned around to face my mother. Only her eyes were visible and as I surveyed her bound form, I honestly wished that she would remain in this state permanently. Looking at her now reminded me of the time when she had bound me with horse tack after I argued against her wishes for me to use a saddle. I was weak and pathetic then, but now, I refuse to be that person. I held my head up high and gritted my teeth as I took strong steps towards her. I stopped a metre away and surveyed her with disgust.

Should I even trust Zelena? Would Daniel really be returned to me if I freed mother? At the back of my mind, I sighed in defeat.

I waved my hand and the cloth covering mother's mouth disappeared. She coughed and regained her breath. I stood with an indifferent expression on my face. Then, with a weak voice, she uttered my name, "Regina-"

I directed the topic towards the witch with a simple harsh statement. "I had a sister, and you never told me."

Mother maintained her gaze on me but in a regretful way, she replied slowly, "I never thought she'd find out. Besides, she'd stand in your way."

"My way?" I croaked. "Of the life you've built for me?" I spat with venom. I trembled with a rush of anger as she attempted to sway me. "I love you Regina-"

I scoffed. "That condition entirely depends on whether I do what you want. Should that witch happily obey your commands, you'd love her more."

"No." Mother stated strongly. I frowned with a sigh. "You can't fool me mother, I know you."

"And I know you too. I...I know why you tried to have me killed. And, it's alright."

I took a step back as another wave of surprise hit me. In a small unsure voice, I replied out of shock, "I think it's not alright."

"I love you Regina. I just, I've always shown it in all the wrong ways," she replied with glistening eyes. I looked away, as a tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away in fury for I didn't want my emotions to get in the way of my interaction with mother. She continued, "I never should have made you marry the king. I never should have," there was a brief pause before she murmured softly, "killed your stableboy." I looked away, unable to bear facing my apologetic mother. I wanted desperately to believe that she was telling the truth but over the years, I've cultivated such a strong wall between us that I no longer knew if I could trust her. I didn't answer so she prompted, "And Daniella..."

I faced her again with heavy breaths. I couldn't bring my voice to spit fire so I dropped all the energy I had created into maintaining the facade of the Queen and whispered simply, "She grew up without her mother or father because of you."

She nodded and said slowly, "I'm so sorry, I really am. When I heard her voice beside my coffin, when you cried over my supposedly dead body; it all changed."

I had forgotten that interaction and now I wanted desperately to erase it out of both of our minds. Even though she was my mother, I still couldn't stand to be weak in front of her, despite having been submissive for so many years. I murmured with spite, "You didn't care about me."

"I did, and I still do. I've watched you that way you and your daughter talk to one another...and that's showed me what I should have done."

I gazed at my mother in confusion. She continued, "Regina, you'll...you'll let us start over?"

Immediately, I scoffed, "I don't see that happening, mother."

"Sweetheart, I know I'll barely occupy a space in your heart, now that you have your Stableboy and Daniella, but please...will you accept my apology?" she murmered in a low wavering voice. I closed my eyes and said, "What did Zelena do to you?"

"She gave me my heart back." My eyes snapped open as I breathed, "What?"

"She wanted me to feel regret for abandoning her when she was an infant. She thought that by reuniting us, you'd be troubled, but she didn't realise that I've been trying to find a way to Storybrooke the whole time."

My breath hitched, "You were?"

"Of course, sweetheart. I needed to see you. To tell you how sorry I am."

I didn't reply, for there was a sudden heavy weight in my gut. I walked cautiously to mother and placed my hand on her chest. She wasn't lying, her heart was indeed beating inside her. Then, I whispered, "The only reason why you're saying these things is because of this organ."

"If you don't believe my words, let me show you." She immediately saw my hesitation for she confirmed, "Only I can return your stableboy to you. Zelena was right; you have to free me first."

"How do I know that Zelena isn't using you. Afterall, she captured you and tied you up," I murmured with uncertainty.

"You must trust me."

"She's probably using you for your magic-"

"No. Regina, she's not. Her powers are...well, they're equal to mine. She caught me because I was unprepared to be surprised with a long lost mother daughter confrontation. But sweetheart, I would easily turn the tables on her. She doesn't need me. She believes that she can destroy you on her own. Her wishes are that I see you suffer, and that my dear, I'll never allow."

I breathed heavily as I thought about my little family. "Well where is Daniel now?"

"In the dungeons, but he's locked inside a cage that requires my magic to open. And right now, I'm restrained by these barbaric ropes and these magic tethering cuffs."

I couldn't mask the knowing sad smirk that appeared on my face as I commented, "I know all about those cuffs, mother. Alright, you better not be lying. But in any case, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Daniel." She said nothing as I waved my hand, making the ropes split in half and fall away. Once mother's hands were unbound from her back, she held them up so that I could remove the cuffs. Quietly, I confirmed, "The dungeons you say?" She nodded, so I made the remaining restrictions on her hands disappear. As soon as she was free, waved her hand, surrounding us in smoke. We reappeared underground and I immediately gagged at the putrid dank musty smell. The air was dark and thick so I quickly illuminated the torches that lined the walls. We had appeared not far from Daniel's cell. He stood up in shock as we arrived. He exclaimed, "Regina! Are you alright?!"

I rushed over to him in worry and held his hands between the bars. "I'm fine. Did the Witch hurt you?"

Daniel shook his head quickly, "No, no, did she hurt you?"

"No, but umm," I glanced behind me as mother approached. She was the one who spoke next as she addressed my fiance. To my surprise, she used his proper name as she gave him a nod, "Master Colter."

Daniel looked as equally shocked as I, especially when mother used magic on the cell and broke open the locks. She swung the door open for us and before Daniel could walk out, I rushed in to embrace him. We parted when mother gave a little cough. We stepped out of the cell with slightly red tinted cheeks which earned us a straight-forward statement. "If he makes you truly happy, then I approve."

After a brief moment of silence, Daniel tried to joke as he said, "If it took a death to get that approval and for us to be together, then it's all worth it."

Mother sighed and looked away slightly. It's all I needed as a signal; to know that she genuinely regretted murdering my fiance.

"I imagine you have to return to your people, Regina. But whatever you do, go to your apple tree at midnight. I need to talk to you then," mother said. I looked at her with a confused expression. However, after glancing quickly between Daniel and I, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Daniel and I watched her disappear with hands gripping each other tightly. When the fumes of magic had dispersed, I reached to plant a soft kiss on my fiance's lips. He returned it with a smile. After the short interaction, I put my forehead to his and whispered, "Daniella mustn't know about the Witch. I do not want her to be afraid; this woman is a problem for us."

He nodded and replied back in a quiet voice, "Who is she?"

I sighed. "My sister."

(Midnight)

Although it was the middle of the night, there were many people still walking about on the ground level of the palace. I didn't really care what boundaries Snow put on the peasant refugees, but I hoped that none of them saw me with my mother. Or at least, I hoped that they wouldn't recognise her. I didn't want Daniella to be concerned about the presence of her grandmother, especially after everything that I have told her about my past. And, it would be utterly undesirable if the unCharmings found out that the Queen of Hearts was alive. I could deal with the witch dilemma on my own, and I didn't need everyone else to be petrified of their safety because of me.

I stood under the shadows of my apple tree and waited for my mother to appear. I jumped when her voice spoke from behind me. "Sweetheart."

I turned around and surveyed her for a moment before replying between gritted teeth, "Mother, could you not call me that? You haven't used that term since I was Daniella's age."

Mother chuckled, "You'll always be my darling girl."

I haven't heard that phrase in so long and thus it took me a second to process the familial language she employed. I wasn't used to this level of affection from my mother. Because I didn't know how to respond, I simply gave her a tearful stare. She spoke in my place, "I've asked you to meet me here because I'm going to tell you how to get rid of our little dilemma."

I quickly laid the card out onto the top of the deck. "Zelena?" She nodded in affirmation but before she could continue, I asked, "Why are you on my side and not hers? I need to know before I can...fully trust you."

"She wishes to destroy me after she's done with whatever revenge she's plotting. Besides, I'd never forgive her father for what he did to me."

I frowned and crossed my arms, turning slightly away and towards the apple tree. "Regina, I know this is all a shock to you, but believe me when I say that I wasn't trying to intentionally keep this from you. I thought that it was the past, and that none of it mattered anymore." I gulped but steadied myself before I inquired, "Who was Zelena's father?"

"A commoner. He lied and said he was someone of a much higher status. It was him, who enlightened me or gave me the realisation that I could elevate myself out of the poverty. Do you remember what I told you when I said you were mature enough to know about my past?"

I nodded as my memory walked down several decades of my painful life. "I haven't forgotten."

"I'm glad, dear. Perhaps I'll explain more to you later, but right now, you must listen to me. This is about your sister."

"You want us to work together?" I queried as I plucked an apple from the tree.

"Yes, but I'm afraid my magic will not be enough to defeat her."

I whirled around. "You said earlier that at best, she's equal to you...and I don't believe I've ever been more powerful than you, mother."

"You're right, but dark magic cannot defeat it's dark equivalent. It needs a hint of light, and before you say anything, I'm well aware that I have none of that."

The corners of my mouth lifted into a smile. That was true. Then, I frowned with the horrible realisation, "Are you telling Daniella to get involved in this?! Because if so, that will never happen! I do not want her to know about the Witch, about you, about all this chaos for the time being."

"I know you wouldn't allow her to fight, and I wouldn't put her through this danger either. Regina, it has to be you."

My heart thumped, "But-"

"You have light magic inside you. Am I correct in saying that the curse was reversed because of your love for the stableboy and Daniella? Well my darling, you might not be as powerful as your sister is in dark magic, but you have the side of good within you."

"So you want me to use both light and dark to defeat her?"

"There's more." I looked at mother intently as she added the following less delightful prospect to the plan. "Even if you fight Zelena with an equal balance of light and dark magic, you won't be able to defeat her because you'd need complete pure light magic to combat dark magic..." I frowned and stated, "Mother, you're not making sense."

"Zelena's dark magic will overpower your dark and light magic because she's too strong. If you are to truly defeat her, you would not only need to use both powers, you would need to strengthen your dark magic to the strongest it can possibly be."

The wheels in my head were turning but I was slowly beginning to understand what she was talking about. "So you're saying that my dark magic isn't enough?"

Mother nodded, "Sweetheart, it will be enough; because I've seen it at its strongest point. I know your dark magic was much more powerful than what it is now. And don't look at me with that expression, you know my words are true."

"It's true because I haven't been...I haven't been exactly the same person ever since Daniella came into my life." I reasoned quietly.

"You know what I'm asking of you, Regina."

I turned that apple around in the palm of my hand in contemplation. I knew what mother was implying, yes, but a nasty feeling of dread followed. I attempted to argue, "Daniel, Daniella, even Henry doesn't want me to be that person anymore."

"How about you? Do you?"

I hesitated before saying quietly, "No, but...I missed the power."

"Sweetheart, you're only doing this for the ones you care about. After the Zelena problem is eradicated, you can forget about all this and focus on your happiness." I turned around to face my mother who had a concerned expression on her face. I scanned her eyes for any hidden motives before replying, "So I have to become the Evil Queen again, to defeat my sister? Are you sure that's the only way?"

"Being the Queen doesn't mean you cannot love your stableboy or daughter. It's simply a step to regaining your full potential."

"But I became the Queen when they were both absent from my life."

Mother sighed and put a hand on my arm. Then, she looked at me solemnly and said, "How far are you willing to go, to protect them? Because this is the only way. You must become...'evil' for their sake. By doing this, you can defeat your sister using dark magic from hate and light magic from your love for them."

I felt the darkness in my blood coursing warmly through my body as she finished her sentence. It felt so lusciously tempting. Mother continued, "You have to separate yourself from their love, just for this little while. Just so that you regain your anger and...hurt."

"So you're helping me by forcing me to feel hurt?" I asked incredulously.

"I'm not forcing you, darling. Besides, I doubt that I have any effect on your choices anymore. I know you still dislike me-"

"It's not that," I cut in quickly, before I shrugged off the idea again. Mother lit up in a smile and I couldn't help but feel the corners of my mouth do the same. Then, she said, "I'll be your mentor if you will. I'll help you become the Evil Queen once more, so that you can regain your strength. Then, we can use that power and the love for your family to defeat the Greenie."

Although I could practically feel my dark magic itching against the confines of my body, a worry invaded my rational mind. "What if I cannot perform light magic at the end of this?"

"You wouldn't. True love lasts forever and so does light magic. I'm sure I do not need to remind you that 'good' always prevails. Tell me, did you ever stop loving your stableboy even when you've become queen?"

I took a step back at the revelation before replying slowly, "No..." Mother gave me a nod and said, "Well there's your answer. Sweetheart, spend this final night with Daniel and your daughter. Then, you must block them out of your life until you've fought and defeated Zelena."

"I understand, mother."

"Good, I'll see you in the morning then. Good night."

"Good night," I whispered as she disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Despite all of the thoughts going into my head of how mother could be manipulating me, I knew she was right. Afterall, Rumple had taught me various ways in which I could defeat a witch with similar powers to myself. That included the use of both types of magic. Of course, at the time I only used dark magic so I relied on that and completely disregarded light magic. Now that I had both, I knew it was best to use it to my advantage. What worried me was the opinions of my little firefly and Daniel. If they ever found out what I was doing, would they reject me? Would they turn away?

Sighing, I surrounded myself with magic and teleported to Daniella's room. She was fast asleep when I entered so I crept quietly towards her bed, not wanting to wake her up. I tilted my head with a smile. She looked angelically peaceful and sweet in her slumber. When I stroked her hair, she mumbled a bit, but did not stir. After watching her for a few minutes, I gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered, "Mama loves you."

Before I left, I placed the apple I had plucked from my tree onto her bedside table. Then, I blew out the candles in her room.

In the darkness, I wiped away a tear hastily. The Queen is back.