Chapter 1: Challenge Accepted
Summary: Emma challenges Regina to a duel.
A/N: * Everything that happened is canon except for the following:
* Regina merged back completely with the Evil Queen
* Hope is Regina's daughter
* Dorothy and Red were NOT true love's
* Rumple is Regina's dad
* Rumple isn't dead nor Belle
It was Sunday dinner, this week's dinner was held at Regina's and not Snow's, they alternated weekly between the two women's house who were the matriarchs of the family. Most preferred dinner at Regina's mayoral mansion as the food she prepared was simply divine, but no one dared to mention that to Snow.
Snow and Regina's relationship had transformed over the years and back into what Snow had imagined. Snow had taken to calling Regina stepmother again, as they had gone to therapy with Archie to help them sort out their issues. Regina had apologized for terrorizing Snow when she had become of age which had her on the run, when Regina tried to kill her countless times, and cursed her. Their relationship was the most complex of all in Storybrooke and no one dared to question it, as the two women getting along was a much needed relief for their family and the Storybrooke citizens, the people followed Snow's lead and since their relationship had been repaired anyone that spoke out against Regina to Snow she did not take that lightly. Snow had been slightly jealous of how Henry had Regina's heart from the very beginning and was enough for Regina but, Snow wasn't enough to stop Regina from her path of vengeance. However, Snow learned through their sessions that as a young girl Regina really did protect her from some of the ugliness in the Enchanted Forest and had faced her Father's wrath for it, which has played a part in the birth of the Evil Queen. Snow also realized that as Regina did hunt her and have her on the run and had plenty of chances in the 18 years, she had known Regina before the curse was cast to kill her. It took a while for both women to sort through their complicated emotions for each other. But, when they did, they settled on the fact that Snow had yearned for Regina's love, the way she had loved and cared from her in the beginning. Regina acquiesced because although Snow could be irritating, and she proved that she was on the daily basis, she loved her although she would begrudgingly admit like a daughter.
Regina had been named, The Good Queen of the United Realms and had Snow serving as a Queen Regent. Emma liked her position as Sheriff therefore she served in an additional capacity as the head of Regina's Knights whereas, Charming was the head of Snow's. Emma had left Hook, about a year after Regina had returned. Hope had turned out to be Regina child, but Hook couldn't leave Hope, and served as Regina's head of the navy. Hook was still a part of the family dinners and even had begun dating Tinkerbelle seriously, they turned out to be True Love's. Tinkerbelle was Hope's fairy godmother since getting her wings back.
Tinkerbelle had recast the spell to determine who Regina's True Love was and it turned out as a shock to everyone that Regina had two True Love's, Emma, which surprised no one but, it also turned out that Red was Regina and Emma's True Love as well. The three women had begun dating a few months ago and although it was new it felt right.
Sunday dinner consisted of; Regina, Emma, Red, Henry, Hope, Jacinda, Lucy, HJ (wish realm Henry), Snow, Prince Charming, Neal, Granny, Zelena, Chad, Robyn, Alice, Hook, Tinkerbelle, Nook, Rumple, Belle, and Gideon.
They were all seated at the table when Emma blurted out, "You know…I feel like with me being supposedly the Savior. I never really battled Regina. I broke the curse through Henry. I never really faced her in battle like I did our other enemies. It's left me wondering. Who would win?"
The table went quiet as everyone processed what Emma had said. It was surprisingly Rumple that spoke first, "I don't think that's a good idea, dearie."
Emma scoffed, "Why not?"
"I think it's because after we know Regina and meeting the Evil Queen that was separated from Regina, that we know what she is truly capable of. It is Regina that stopped the bloodshed from going further." Red said as she placed a kiss on Emma's cheek.
"I believe you being titled the Savior was to save everyone from the curse and to save Regina, it was not necessarily meant that you were more powerful than her." Tink interjected hesitantly.
Emma was about to say something when Henry spoke, "Ma, I've seen Regina in other realms and they all decided to unite with her, they didn't want to be alone and they concentrated their power within her, even before then she was only tapped into a portion of her power. Now that we know she is the daughter of the Dark One and she wields both light and dark magic. She fulfilled the prophecy of defeating Zelena as the strongest purveyor of light magic."
Emma scoffed, 'But, is she as good with a sword as I am?"
Regina had stayed quiet as the conversation flew around her, so Emma had a problem with being titled the Savior but has never defeated her in battle. Regina had an internal war with herself, if she accepted this challenge should she let Emma win, or should she let it happen the way it was supposed to be.
"I think you underestimate my sister. She learned light magic in less than 30 minutes to defeat me." Zelena added.
Emma's parents had remained awfully quiet as the conversation had progressed. Emma turned to them. "Mom, Dad. What do you think?"
Snow and Charming squirmed wanting to support their child and shared a look with one another before Charming spoke, "If this is what you want to do Emma, we will support you. We will be in your corner."
Emma rolled her eyes because they had deflected the question as to whether they thought she would win or lose. It seemed like everyone thought she would lose to Regina, but she didn't understand why they thought she would lose. Regina's magic was powerful she would give them that, but at times against certain enemies she had failed.
Regina picked up on Emma's thought process, "Magic is emotion, dear. In some of the battles we faced together I was doubting myself and the power that was in me. I didn't want the darkness to win. But I hadn't realized that the darkness and the light is a part of me and that is something that makes me unique. I am also proficient in hand to hand combat as well as swords. I am better than your Father, but I let him train you as bonding time. Please, Emma. Must we do this?" Regina pleaded.
Emma ever the Charming puffed her chest out and turned to Regina, "I challenge you, Queen Regina of the United Realms, to a duel tomorrow at noon in the town square. The winner shall receive the privilege of knowing defeat."
Regina raised her eyebrow and the room clamored trying to stop the battle but, Regina simply ignored them and with a smirk said, "Challenge accepted, Princess Emma of the White Kingdom."
A/N: Let me know what you think.