(Regina's POV)

I stood at one of the large windows that overlooked the entrance of the palace. Two guards were escorting Daniel, his whore and the creature they had produced out of my home. I instructed the guards to give him a magic bean so that he could escape this wretched place. My airways constricted as I regarded him from a distance. He walked away so dismally after the guards had made sure that he was on the path that lead away from the palace. I squinted just to see something shift, no doubt his arm draping over his lover to comfort her. Then, they looked back. Even though I was technically peaking from behind an elaborate iron-wrought frame of the window, I could have sworn that he was looking right at me. I put my hand on the iron and let the cold stinging feeling of the metal burn my skin. Daniel finally turned back around and disappeared amongst the grassland. I took a deep breath, and let my hand trail back to rest between the folds of my court dress. I wanted to cancel that appointment, but I couldn't be seen as a weak monarch who failed to uphold duties just because of a silly heartbreak. Yet, half of the kingdom were probably already mocking me for being the victim of a cheating scandal.

Someone coughed behind me so I took a deep breath before turning around and facing the source of the sound. "Your Majesty, forgive me for interrupting, but-"

"Yes I'm well aware that I'm required in court," I replied simply. He gave me a nod so we started to walk in the direction of the throne room. There was animated chatter inside, but when I arrived, everyone hushed and stood up to bow. What I didn't expect however, was Daniella to be seated beside my throne. As I motioned everyone to sit down, I whispered to her, "I didn't require you to come today, firefly."

She murmured quietly, "I wanna be with you."

My heart did melt a little, but I replied by raising an eyebrow and giving her a smile. There were a couple of delegates from various kingdoms who came forth with diplomatic messages but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary came up in the proceedings. During the duration of court however, I felt a sense of unease at the bottom of my stomach. It wasn't anything to do with the messages conveyed to me. Something just wasn't right. Indeed, just before the session ended, the air in the hall grew chilly. I frowned as I glanced at my wrists to see goose bumps on them. I looked over at Daniella subtly and could see that she was shivering. I was about to comment on the condition of the atmosphere when green smoke started to cover the room.

(Daniella's POV)

We were suddenly transported to the dining hall, except the tables were cleared. Everyone was there including members of Snow's court, mother's court and even the servants. I looked to my right to see mother observing the situation with a frown on her face. Soon, Zelena appeared in front of us with a confident sneer. Mother put me behind her as she created a fireball in her hand. My aunt began, "Oh, have a little patience, Regina. Afterall, I have to tell you the rules of the game today."

Mother seethed, "We don't need rules. I know as much as you do what the stakes are." She paused and it seemed like everyone was holding their breaths. "The opponent's death."

"Regina, my pretty," the witch began as she started encircling us. "That's your downfall. You've always been too quick to rush into things. No wonder why half of the Enchanted Forest burned under your evil fingertips-"

"If you're here to remind everyone of my past, I suggest you leave," Mother warned. Unfortunately, the witch turned deliberately to the Charmings and crowd before announcing, "That's right. The one behind the horrible massacres you've recently been hearing about, is standing in front of you now!" Immediately following this remark, there was a sea of murmurs in the room. Grinning at the fear that coursed around the hall, the witch continued, "The monarch you see in front of you hasn't changed. She's always been evil. That's why even her love left her!"

My chest burned with anger. The whispers only heightened my growing annoyance. I didn't want to be feared by the people anymore. Unfortunately, my words rolled off my tongue before I could control them, "But people call you the Wicked Witch, don't they?"

Zelena attempted to throw a wave of green fire towards me but mother deflected it. When it dispersed, she growled, "Don't you dare hurt my daughter."

"Now we're getting to my rules. Here's the deal, or rather the goal. But first, let's bring in two more spectators, shall we?" With that, the witch magicked Rumple and my grandmother into the scene. Whilst the Dark One looked rather annoyed that he had been sent here, my grandmother looked terrified. Those who recognised her gasped. The Witch seethed, "Rumplestiltskin isn't here to help you now, Regina. You've imprisoned his darling girlfriend, locked her in your tower and tortured her for quite some time. No wonder he's quite willing to sit back and watch me punish you."

Behind gritted teeth, mother threw a murderous glance at the imp and bit out, "Quite." Zelena laughed and gestured to grandmother, "Oh and here's the infamous Queen of Hearts. It's a wonder that she looks so different without her magic. Or perhaps, things would seem more familiar if she held a heart or two in her hands."

Mother growled, "You will let Cora go immediately."

"For what? Oh sister dear, I'm going to prove to our mother who is the better daughter. And speaking of daughters, I'm here to kill your darling little firefly," she taunted. I shivered as she uttered the nickname that only mother uses to call me. That must have ticked her off as well since she yelled ferociously, "NEVER!" From that moment on, hell was unleashed. I braced myself in a defensive position as mother and Zelena threw death spells at each other at the same time. The crowd screamed but nothing could be done for the witch had placed a spell on them to keep them in their places. We've become the act, they've become the spectators. Some kind of sickening play this was. Except, the ending would be death.

Purple and green magic met in the air in a tremendous streak of light. Magical sparks flew around the room and I had to duck to avoid it. Then, I summoned my dark powers and directed it towards Zelena. She deflected it with merely an incline of her head in my direction. That unfortunately was strong enough for me to fall. As I slid across the floor, I grunted. I heard Henry shout, "Dani!"

However, no one was able to help us as they were all well stunned to their spots. Eventually, mother broke the bolt of magic with Zelena. My aunt seemed to be more agitated today as she screamed, "You can't defeat me little sis. You think you have light magic? Well, you're wrong! No matter what you think, you're as dark as they come!"

Mother threw fireball after fireball at Zelena. They were all easily deflected. Unfortunately, whilst it was proving to have no effect on Zelena, it also tired mother out tremendously. That was when my aunt turned and looked horribly at me with a demonic grin. Within seconds, I was dragged to the Witch's side and levitated into the air. The crowd gasped whilst mother screeched, "NO!" Invisible forces of magic closed around my throat and I attempted to fight it back with my magic. However, my dark magic couldn't combat Zelena's wicked powers. I could feel my blood rush to all the wrong spots as I began to see black spots in my vision. Mother screamed, "Let her go!"

"No, not unless you do what I tell you to do. I need only to squeeze a little tighter to kill your daughter. Now, I suggest you listen up and be obedient."

"I don't listen to my inferiors," mother growled. I already knew that would have consequences. Indeed, I felt magic constrict around my throat. Although I breathed with difficulty, I managed to beg, "Mama!"

"Yes, that's right. Your daughter is calling for you. You really wouldn't let me just kill her, will-"

"FINE! What do you want?!" Mother shouted in a wavering voice. At that moment, I felt myself slowly slipping from what was happening in the present moment. Then, I heard Zelena reply in a low excited tone, "Your heart."

My eyes widened and as I struggled, I whispered, "No! Mama, don't-"

Zelena taunted in a singsong voice, "Hurry up Regina, your daughter is going to draw her last breath soon. Hand your heart over, or watch her die!"

I attempted to shake my head. If mother gave her heart to the Witch, both of us will be dead. Worst of all, who knows what she will do. However, mother did exactly what I dreaded. I looked down with horror to see mother pull her hand out of her chest. Then, something that glowed a blackish crimson colour was handed over to Zelena. At that moment, my aunt let me go and I fell onto the hard stone floor. Mother was immediately at my side whilst I coughed. In a frantic tone, she asked, "Daniella, firefly, are you alright?" As soon as I had regained my breath, I looked at her with scared eyes and murmured, "Why did you do that?!"

Before mother had the chance to answer, the Witch cut in with a cunning taunting tone, "Indeed, why did you do that? Now, you will have to face my wrath!" At that moment, Zelena magicked a dagger into her free hand. My face paled as the blade plunged straight through mother's glowing heart. She grunted and bent over in pain. My voice shook as I whimpered, "Mama?"

I brought my hand to steady her, seeing that perspiration was forming on her forehead whilst she tried to hold in the pain. Seeing mother like this, I was motivated to direct every ounce of dark magic in my body to my fingertips. Then, I gritted my teeth and threw it towards Zelena. It deterred her for a bit but mother was too weak to fight her back in the few seconds that she was distracted. With a scream, Zelena threw her magic at me and under her command, I was pressed onto the ground. I attempted to look up at mother but my face was forced by Zelena's powers to look away. I could only shed tears as I listened to my mother's groans and whimpers of pain. I didn't want to imagine what Zelena was doing. "That's more like it," the Witch began. "Oh, yess. You feel that, sis? That's the pain YOU'VE forced me to endure because of your self-righteousness and ungratefulness."

Every now and again, there would be a sharp intake of breath on mother's part. Then, it happened. Something slumped next to me. I cried out for my mother but Zelena shouted, "Silence, child!" Within seconds, I was dragged to her feet and forced to stand up. I managed to catch a glimpse of mother's form lying on the floor. No, no, no, no...

However, mother's heart was still in the witch's hand. It was literally oozing from the inside with a strange jellylike liquid. I looked away but Zelena held my throat with her magic before shoving the broken heart into my hand. I didn't want to drop it because I could feel mother's labouring breaths through the organ in my hands. My whole body suddenly became numb as a boned fish. There was nothing to be done as Zelena was constricting my magic. Then, she hovered me high up into the air, so close to the ceiling that I nearly touched the chandelier. She announced in a mocking tone, "Now, shall I play with my niece? Let me see, what about, a game of ragdoll? What damage I can do to the toy before her bones snap?"

I refused to let Zelena see my fear so I closed my eyes and gulped as I felt myself being thrown through the air. I collided with something hard and fell back onto the ground. However, I kept the heart safe in the shaking grip of my hand. "That's right. Keep that little organ in your hand safe. You can crush it at any time of course. That'll save your life, but you'll be taking your mother's." I grimaced and braced myself for another impact and it came. I skidded across the floor and hit a suit of armour. The metal pieces tumbled over me and I suddenly felt as if I was going to pass out. My vision was swimming and the cackle from the witch just made everything worse. I heard my grandmother yell, "No! Take my life instead! Don't kill her! Leave them! Leave them, please! I'm sorry Zelena! You must forgive me, none of your past is their fault!"

Zelena roared in response, "Shut up! This is all your fault for underestimating me! I'm going to kill your beloved Regina and Daniella in front of your eyes. Then, I'll kill you, mother!"

After she had said that, I was hoisted into the air, this time as if I was on a trampoline. My whole body swung up and down in the air. It was not only humiliating, but it was torture too. All the while, grandmother's voice screamed desperately, "I'm so sorry Zelena, I should have never left you alone to...to get what I wanted. Please. Stop all this, we can start over! Now that my heart has been returned to my chest, I know what it is like to feel. I understand your jealousy. I understand why you hate your sister but...but it doesn't have to be!"

My eyes threatened to pop out of my head as I was tossed around in the air. My vision soon degraded to specks of blurred colour. Grandmother's voice was also starting to ring in my ears. I was suddenly no longer able to hear her, just the pulses of blood running in all the wrong directions. However, when I thought I would actually die, the magic grip on me vanished. I heard a thud but it wasn't my own. Instead, I was somewhat gently floating back down. When I hit the floor, I groaned and lifted my head ever so slightly upwards. I saw mother's outstretched hand in Zelena's direction.

The Witch was on the ground not far away from me, but before she could recover, I quickly threw a weak burst of magic in her direction. It was all that was needed to keep her on the ground. Then, at the corner of my eyes, I saw my mother's hand slump onto the floor. I turned with difficulty in her direction and breathed heavily. The heart in my hand was glowing less and less brightly. "Mama..."

That's when I lost it. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I screeched out loudly in pain. I churned out all my resentment and hate. I thought about everything I had endured in my lifetime. I collected all my feelings towards the King, the spinsters, Zelena, people who have bullied me; all into my tears. If this was the end, why not curse the land with my anguish?

I channelled my powers into my hands. After seeing that they had started to glow brilliantly purple, I closed my eyes and imagined myself in mother's arms once more. I knew it would work, and it had. Soon, one of my hands emitted a purple glow whereas the other emitted white light. Zelena had just recovered and looked up when I sent my magic bolting in her direction. She hit the wall on the opposite side of this large hall. Ironically, the return of my light magic seemed to heal me a little. As I regained my vision, I staggered up and limped towards Zelena. I never let the image of mother's loving face leave my mind as I held back the Witch with the light magic that was emitting from my right hand. It was working for no matter what efforts Zelena was making, it didn't impact me at all. The Witch cried out in pain, for my magic was burning her. Indeed, there were strange marks on her green face. Her complexion was turning brown and ghastly mustard in some areas. However, it didn't faze me for I continued to will my magic into destroying the Witch. I didn't know if mother will survive the literal attack to her heart, and that broke me. Using a combination of my dark and light magic, I eventually rendered Zelena to a state of helplessness.

I let a small smirk consume my face but then I noticed something strange. The green pendant on my aunt's neck was glimmering, as if in sync with her magic. That's when I realised that the Witch wasn't actually the most powerful sorceress of the lands. I recognised necklaces as such because mother had once told me that some witches keep their powers in literal forms around them. They only did it if they weren't powerful enough to control their potential abilities. I grinned even wider at that revelation. With one clean sweep, I grabbed the emerald jewel and pulled the necklace off Zelena's neck. A sudden wave of green smoke evaporated from her body. At that moment, I already knew that she was powerless so I dropped my magical hold on her. She fell back and stared at me in horror.

As soon as she slouched against the wall, everyone in the room was freed and I was notified of this when suddenly, grandmother stood between us. Without saying a word, she thrust her hand into Zelena's chest. I gasped as she seethed, "You will pay for this, you wicked daughter!"

Something changed in the Witch's eyes and even though I let no shred of remorse fill my mind, it still made me uncomfortable when she started begging for mercy. "You said we could start over, mother. You said-"

My grandmother took no heed and spat, "Starting over? You're no daughter to me." Then, she did what the Queen of Hearts does best. She crushed my aunt's heart. Zelena's eyes rolled to the back of her head and her body slumped like a puppet with cut strings.

I only looked at her for a few more seconds before rushing to mother, who was still on the ground in the middle of the hall. There were several guards who had formed somewhat of a protective circle around her, but they stepped back when I came forth with her heart in my hand. Grandmother knelt down next to me as I whimpered, "She's dying, the heart, it's not going to last..."

Suddenly, everything went quiet. Then, she put her hand on my shoulder and placed her hand on the beating organ in my palm. Quietly, she whispered, "Give it to me."

I let her pick it up and once she had taken it away, I shook mother slightly. Tears fell down my face whilst I muttered repeatedly in a hoarse voice, "Don't leave me, Mama...please don't leave me. You're the only one who has been there for me. I can't..." My voice wobbled. I wasn't able to finish my sentence. I can't lose you.

"She won't have to, my dear."

I turned to grandmother in confusion but as I did, I gasped for she now had two hearts in her hands. "What are you doing?" I breathed.

"Doing what I should have done all those years ago. Given my heart for Regina."

I quivered in confusion, "What?"

She pressed the two hearts together and my jaw fell open slightly as magic fused between them. However, it was also draining the colour from my grandmother's own heart. I whispered again, "What are you doing?"

"Making a sacrifice. My life will flow into your mother's broken heart and heal it."

I looked up at her eyes in conflict but she was engrossed in transferring her life between the hearts. Once the process was complete, she took my hand and placed mother's heart into my palm. I glanced down at it briefly. It looked just like it had, before mother tore it out and gave it to Zelena. The only exception was a faint trace of cracked scars. A remnant of the torture that mother had endured under the dagger's blade. Grandmother's voice was weak as she whispered with her hand on my cheek, "I love you, my sweet granddaughter. And tell Regina that I'm truly sorry for everything."

"Grandma-"

Her eyes rolled back as she fell and her own heart disintegrated into dust in her own hand. My lips trembled at the sight of my dead grandmother. Then, I started shaking uncontrollably as I crawled over to close her vacant eyes. My lips barely moved as I quivered, "Goodbye, grandmother."

When I turned back to mother however, I realised how shallow and laboured her breaths were. I immediately pressed her heart back into her chest and when it assumed its rightful position, her eyes fluttered weakly open. "Mama?"

She sat up slightly and it was all the invitation I needed. I barrelled into her arms, breathing in her sweet perfume. It was almost able to distract me from the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.