Chapter 13

Down the Rabbit Hole

"Are you sure you can you make it work?" Emma asked Regina looking up at the ceiling as the lights of the town hall flickered out, an ominous wind beginning to blow again. Regina and Emma sat crouched over a crumpled hat on the floor. Regina was spinning it as Anya had only seen her do once before yet it simply would not stay. No magic spurred from her hand, from the hat, it was like the very air itself was against her.

"For the hundredth time, Yes!" Regina practically screamed, her patience growing thin, fear sparking in her eyes as the large double doors burst open, a cloaked floating figure emerging. As the temperature dropped around Anya remained frozen in the moment, astonished, she could finally take in the details of the monster that threatened them. The creature was draped in black, making it appear like nothing more than a shadow beneath its cloak. Long fingers arched out from its hand, thick, inhumanly long nails twitching as if in impatience as it searched for its victim. There was no gold pendant around its neck, and Anya could sense that it infuriated it. Almost as if it was merely searching for what belonged to it but she couldn't be sure. Its glowing red eyes pierced through her soul as it trained onto the evil queen. Fear gripped Anya and she suddenly realized why they had to get rid of this monster.

With a roar the monster charged forward, not even caring that Anya as in its way as it rushed towards Regina. Anya lifted a hand to fling it aside but no magic sparked at her fingertips to protect her and the monster collided with her, the force sending her flying back towards the others, rolling onto her side on the cold tile floor.

Son of a bitch! She wanted to scream, crawling to her feet, a sharp ache thundering in her chest. I hate this shit.

Buying time, Mary-Margaret poured an open bottle of whiskey across the railings calling out to her husband who closed the gates, dividing the wraith and himself from the rest of the room, setting the gas trail on fire so that the monster could not pass, waving a makeshift broom torch at the shadow.

Idiot Anya thought, astounded by the act of valor. It wasn't like he had a sword and shield, not that it would have helped against a creature like this. David was going to die if that thing got him so why had he sacrificed himself like that? Knowing the likely outcome.

"Charming!" Snow white cheered him on, a loving worry shining in her eyes. This plan wasn't going to last long as David was thrown aside, groaning in pain as he struggled to climb to his feet. Anya collapsed to her knees beside Regina, urging them to hurry up.

"It's not working!" Regina finally wailed, breathing hard as frustration and panic welled up inside of her.

"It's okay." Emma cooed, resting a hand on the queen's arm, making sure to look her in the eye. It was obvious that the blonde was afraid, but she did a good job hiding that deep inside herself. Sighing, Regina gathered herself, her eyes snapping down as the hat began to shake in her hand. Amazed, she spun it. This time a portal opened up, leaking from the hat like a puddle of thick purple liquid, spreading with the hat, still spinning at its center.

Regina, though relieved, couldn't help but watch Emma from the corner of her eye...had she been the one to activate the hat? The thought quickly dismissed. Not just anybody could use magic, yet she couldn't help but feel that there was something brewing but she didn't know about.

Things seemed to slow as the fire burned out, the wraith crossing the threshold, racing towards Regina standing in front of the portal.

"Regina!" Emma shrieked, shoving the mayor out of the way. The wraith slammed into the wonderer head on, tossing the blonde into the portal with it. Regina tumbled into me after Emma pushed her, sending me sprawling on the floor at the edge of the portal.

I gasped as the air was ripped from my lungs. My arm slipping in with the wind over the edge of the portal. My eyes widened. I was like a kite, stuck in a hurricane as the portal seemed to clutch onto my limbs and drag me down into the dark abyss.

It felt like years before i opened my eyes again, groaning as sunlight peeked painfully through cracks in a pitch darkness. When my eyes adjusted again blurs became clear, and i found myself staring up at two women. One in a gown and the other in a man's uniform. Both glaring down at me with a look of hatred. I was to dazed to speak, my body ached, it felt like i had been slammed to the earth with enough force to shatter it, which, incidentally, left me laying in a giant hole in the middle of a yellow brick road.

A shifting at my sides startled me and i realized Snow and Emma were also lying uselessly at my sides, waking up.

"That is what brought the wraith here. These are the ones responsible for the death of our prince." One of them said as i finally managed to rise to my feet. Looking around i was shocked, the blinding sunlight giving way to the remains of a castle and shattered kingdom. Was this all that was left after the curse?

"No..." I muttered glancing around. "No...NO!"

I was back in the enchanted forest.

Somehow i found myself chained with the two princesses. Forced to walk alongside the horses. It was ridiculous and embarrassing. If my magic had been working, which believe me i had tried, they would all have been dead and i safely on my way back to my castle or rather a way back to storybrooke. My revenge was not complete. I had only just barely managed to get back a chance to stand against Regina and rumple before it was brutally ripped away...it wasn't fair!

I remained quiet. Lost in thought as i ignored the constant blabbering of the others. Mary-Margret's protective-motherly sepal about surviving in the woods and how she'd believed the land was destroyed and Emma's 'rebellious child act' not needing help...it was rather annoying and repetitive.

We didn't stop until we reached what seemed to be a small village of refugees. Almost as soon as the warrior, Mulan, stepped off of her horse, Snow White took the first chance she had to elbow her in the stomach, screaming to run. We didn't hesitate. The three of us took off like missiles, dashing across the camp. We only got several feet before Mulan threw a ball and chain that knocked Mary-Margaret on conscious. Emma was foolish enough to stop and return to her mother's side...i didn't care. I hesitated only for a moment, to glance back at the situation before continuing my dash to freedom. I didn't stop until i felt strong arms wrap around me as a man lifted me, kicking and screaming, off the ground before bringing me to my knees in front of the female warrior. I glared up at her, she was such a bitch, practically emotionless and i could feel her hatred raging inside of her as well.

"Take them to the pit." she ordered, as several other survivors rushed forward, grabbing the three of us. Emma and i struggled but to no avail as we were flung through a door into a dark dirt-walled cell. It was like we were sitting at the bottom of a well, a light shining from at least 10 feet above. Emma hurried to her still unconscious mother but i turned and immediately began beating on the door.

"Bastards!" i screamed at the top of my lungs, giving the wooden door one final kick before collapsing against the wall, exhausted. I didn't necessarily get this much exercise in storybrooke. Closing my eyes to relax myself i was startled when a shadow stepped forward to greet Emma, the sweetest voice of a woman echoing through our jail.

"Do you need help?"

"Who are you?" Emma demanded, obviously terrified out of her mind.

"A friend." My eyes shot open, as i found my old mentor standing in the angelic light of the window. An eerie darkness surrounding her. My heart pounded, my entire being filled with relief. Cora always knew what to do...she always had a plan. And so I knew better than to question her kindness. I knew her better than anyone. This face she was showing Emma was a ploy for pity and even though i wasn't sure what she was doing i would go with it. "My name is Cora."

I slowly rose to my feet, making my way timidly to Emma's side as if weary of the stranger.

"Hello Anya." Cora said, flashing a kind and warm smile I'd never seen cross her lips. The smile of a moher.

"You two know each other?" Emma asked, suddenly wary of the stranger.

"How could i not?" Cora cut in before i could reply. "Everyone knew of the queen's protégé."

"Emma." Mary cut in, rising quickly to her feet, fear in her eyes as she stared at Cora. I wanted to laugh, that look of terror was long awaited. It's true i didn't share in my mother's rich hatred of the charming, but they sure were annoying and i couldn't help but find the slightest pleasure at their expense.

"Oh Snow, you're awake, i am so relieved."

"Emma." Mary-Margaret said, hurrying to her daughter's side. "As bad as you think Regina is...this woman is worse."

"Oh snow..." Cora said, hurt by the words, causing Mary-Margaret to jump, standing defensively in front of Emma. "Sweet snow, please believe me. I just want to help you."

"Don't talk to her Emma. I don't trust her." Snow told her. "She is powerful and dangerous."

"Not anymore." The witch replied quickly. "The curse striped me of my powers...left me defenseless."

Our conversation was cut short as a rope was dropped from the ceiling. Man appearing in the opening above.

"Our leader requests an audience with the strangers."