Chapter 6: Things were not looking up

Regina just needed a reset button for this world

Although they had a destination in mind, Regina couldn't really teleport them anywhere. There were three humans and three horses. Regina had never attempted such a feat, and she didn't want to wear herself out if her magic didn't work.

So they just picked up the pace, and at the same time Emma and Henry caught Regina up on the entire story that had been happening since she had left.

Once they were finished, Regina was explained everything and nothing at the same time. If anything, she had more questions than before.

But before she could ask for clarifications, Henry asked, "So, if you're not some crazy witch queen hellbent on murdering everyone, how did you get the Evil Queen nickname?"

Emma was sure that Regina was judging her on her child-rearing ways, based on Henry's abrupt and very direct way of asking questions that lacked any kind of finesse and consideration for the other person.

But nonetheless, Regina humoured his question. "It actually was given to me by Snow. I was still learning my powers, and I had gone to visit them, to see if we could form an alliance. Suffice it to say that their first impression was of me burning the curtains," Henry couldn't hold back his snicker at that, "Followed by my accidentally hitting the ever lovable Prince Charming with a sleeping curse."

That immediately sobered Henry up.

"How does that happen?" Emma asked, more out of curiosity than anything.

"Well I had gone to hold out my hand in greeting - a move I later learn didn't exist in this land - and he had moved in front of Snow, I suppose to protect her, and he brandished his sword. I thought he was aiming to throw the sword at me, so I got defensive, but my magic was one step ahead of me and it flew out of my hand, and he got hit. I was immediately banned, and any attempt to try to explain went unanswered and unheeded." Regina sighed. "Not that I tried for long. Graham was quite helpful - he explained a lot of how this world worked, and how the Charmings weren't worth much in terms of help. The castle I was staying in, originally that dastardly imp's, had plenty of magic books. Of course, trying to find something on world-travelling was harder than expected, considering the guy has a lot of books on the matter. It had become harder and harder to find a way back home."

Emma brought her horse closer to Regina's and reached out to grab her hand. It was a small gesture that carried a lot of meaning for both women. Despite all the time that had passed, their love for one another had not waned. They would be there for one another as they sought to put the pieces back together.

Soon enough, they could see the lights of Snow's camp.

Regina stopped her horse.

Emma frowned and stopped her horse too, as did Henry.

"Everything okay, Regina?" Emma asked.

"Perhaps I should wait here...I don't think your mother will be receptive to me showing up, no matter who I actually am," Regina explained.

Emma was at a loss for words on how to convince Regina that she could come with her.

Thankfully Henry was a bit quicker. "Just put on one of those capes people here like to wear, those really large ones that hide your entire face. Then we'll just say you're a friend. We can reveal it to them later...maybe after a few too many drinks."

"Henry!" Both of his moms chided, and Henry just couldn't bring himself to be remorseful. He just had a very large grin on his face.

The three of them broke into a fit of giggles, and Regina finally acquiesced and magicked a cape, pulling the hood up and over her head so it'd shroud her face.

Then they rode straight into pandemonium.

There was a real-life dragon, being corralled by Lancelot and his men...somewhere probably. Emma couldn't see very well, as the dragon was breathing fire and it was making their horses antsy.

The other horses were also nervously trying to escape, but some of Snow's guards were trying to calm them, while also keeping a watchful eye on Lancelot's progress.

Emma jumped down from her horse and ran to where her mother was tending to some wounded on the other side of the camp.

"What happened?"

"Lacey did."

Dun dun duuun! Lacey has got her own agenda!