Hey guys! Sorry for the slight delay, a lot of stuff happening here. Good stuff. And I want to make sure the chapter was good. Sadly I do have a tendency to make the chapters longer as I go and this chapter is no exception. Oh and P.S. this Evie scene takes place in 4x20. I have to say this was one of my favorite episodes so I was very excited with this chapter

It's been a week and there was no cure to break the curse the Charmings were under. That meant Lily hadn't been able to spend time with her mother in a week. Even while under a sleeping curse, the Charmings were able to screw things up. What was worse was that there was nothing she could do about it. She knew nothing about making potions or what was in the sleeping curse. So all she could do was wait until something happened.

As Lily walked down the street, flash backs about the encounter she had with the queen ran through her mind. If she had to be honest with herself, the Evil Queen was right. Lily wanted to get her revenge against the Charmings and her mother was too weak to do it. But not Lily, there was so much raw power waiting to come out, screaming at her to use it as she pleased. It was too tempting to join the Evil Queen and get what she wanted.

But something wasn't right. The girl in the woods words haunted Lily as well. She warned her not to work with the Evil Queen. Lily shook her head, that girl was afraid of the Evil Queen and Lily and would had said anything to save her skin. But if she was afraid, then something must be wrong, for she too had magic. Perhaps Lily should not work with the Evil Queen. If her mother and this other witch was afraid of her, then maybe Lily should take her advice and pass on the deal. Either way, where would she find the Evil Queen?

Lily looked up to see a shop. She had never noticed it before. In her defense, she only went to the diner and never really explored the town before. She looked up at the two story build at the edge of the street, it looked normal. The only thing that looked out of place was its name, the Black Cauldron. Shrugging her should, Lily had nothing to do and decided to go into the store to kill time.

She pushed against the glass door and entered to a whole new world. The shop had shelfs covering all the walls. There were some vials on a few of the shelfs, Lily didn't know what was in them. Some were liquid others were plants. At the right side of the room, near the window, was a set of stairs that lead to the second floor. The second story was open as well. The railings made sure no one would fall into the first floor. It too had it walls covered in shelfs with a few vials on them. Lily wonder what was this place?

She turned quickly around when she heard a sliding door opened. On the left side of the room, opened a secret door to the backroom. Lily was impressed at this small shop. "Sorry we're closed?" said the person who worked at the shop. She put down a crate containing more vials and Lily was stunned.

"You! You're that girl in the woods," She knew that girl anywhere, she was even wearing the same outfit she wore in the woods. However, this time Lily could see her face. She had hazel eyes, defiantly looked someone in her late teens early twenties. "What are you doing here?" She asked, still surprised that she saw the girl again.

"What does it look like I'm doing? Setting up my shop," she said as it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You're the owner of the Black Cauldron?" Lily was shocked, not just that someone younger than her had opened her own business, but that she did it so fast. "Where did you get all this?" Lily went over to the girl and picked up a vial. Lily had no idea what plant was inside.

"Years and years and years of collecting," the girl said, full of pride at her work. "So what can I do for you?" she started to organize the vials. "You're looking something for that Charming couple," that was weird, how did the girl know about the Charmings. From the way she was dressed, she looked like she was from the Land of Untold Stories. Were their stories known in that land too? "I hear things and people talk. It's a shame what happened to them, they seem like a lovely couple," Lily snorted. If only the girl knew. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You really don't know them?" Maybe she was wrong about their stories being known in the other land. "They kidnaped a child to make sure that their child didn't become a villain," Lily could feel her anger coming back.

"That's a little counterproductive and extreme to make sure their son was good."

"Emma."

"The blonde hair girl?" the girl questioned, Lily could see that she didn't believe her. "That's their child?"

"Trust me, Emma is their's" Lily gave a weak laugh at how fate had been so kind to her and Emma.

"And you're the kid they kidnapped," Lily was surprised that the girl caught on really quick. "That's why the Evil Queen wanted you. I'm sorry what happened to you, you didn't deserve it," the girl apologized.

"That's an understatement."

"But you shouldn't work with the Evil Queen. Take it from me, it will not work out in your favor," before Lily had a chance to tell the girl that it was none of her business on what she does, Lily's phone went off. It was her mom using Regina's phone, apologizing that she wouldn't be home till late. She let out an annoyed sigh and shut off her phone. Her mother was choosing them over her.

"Trouble with the cure? I think I got something," she walked to the backroom. It creeped Lily out that she could read her like a book. The girl came back with a vial that looked like it contained a pair of teeth. "Do you know what this is?" Of course not, Lily shook her head no. "Vampire fangs. They're strong, pierce through almost anything. Other than their strength thought, they are an absorbent. Typically blood, but if I'm right, if you crush it into a powder and alter it, it may help remove the curse," Lily went to grab the vial from the girl until she pulled it away. "Wait! All magic comes with a price," Of course it does.

"What do you want?" Lily crossed her arms.

"You can't give me what I want," she said nonchalantly. "But I can settle for you not working with the Evil Queen."

"Why do you care?" Lily didn't understand why this girl was so determined for her not to work with the Evil Queen. It was none of her business what Lily do or not do.

"She's right, you do have a lot of potential powers ready to be unleash. But it's up to you on how it can be used. You can use it for revenge and go down a never ending cycle of pain and unhappiness. Or you can prove them wrong and show them how great you can be. The queen will only bring you misery. You deserve better," in Lily's entire life, no one had ever told her that. She could tell that the girl was speaking from experience. Lily looked at the vial. If she left it, then the only place she could go was with the Evil Queen and get her revenge. But if she did that, Lily may lose her mother in the process. The thought of losing her mother made Lily shudder. She couldn't lose her, Mal was her only family. If Lily took the vial, then her mother would come home sooner. Which was more important? Her mother or revenge?

"Fine," Lily let out an annoyed sigh, "I won't work with the Queen." The girl handed Lily the vial. Lily shoved it in her pocket, not wanting to think that she had somebody's teeth was in her pocket.

"You know, it may take your mother a while to finish the cure, why don't you let me teach you a few things?"

"Why should I trust you?" It was one thing to not work with the Evil Queen, but Lily didn't trust the girl. She knew nothing about her.

"You shouldn't. You don't know me. But I'm offering it if you want some extra training."

"What do you want?" She asked knowing that nothing came free with this girl.

"I need someone to help me to get the shop ready."

"Can't you just use magic?"

"Magic can do many things, but one must understand the value of hard work. So do we have a deal?" The girl put a hand on her hip, waiting for Lily's answer.

"I'll think about it. Thanks" Lily turned and started to walk away.

"Wait," the girl yelled out. Lily turned around to see a blue orb in the girl's hands. She raised her hands into the air and a blue light came out of her hands, forming a dome over the shop. Then, as quickly as it came, it disappeared.

"What was that?" Lily was confused, what did this girl do?

"With the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin running around I have to protect my shop. It's a barrier that prevents magical beings from entering."

"How the hell am I supposed to come back?" The girl raised her eyebrow. "If I was considering your offer," Lily finished.

"If you are considering my offer," the girl started to walk towards Lily, "make sure you have this," the girl grabbed Lily's hand and placed something in it. Lily opened her hand to see a yellow stone. It looked similar to the ones on the girl's necklace. "It's my personal invitation that your welcome here, whether or not you want to train. And its Sophia," Lily walked away, creeped out that the girl knew that she was about to ask her name. She had to think about if she wanted to work with the girl or not. But for now, she had to get to Regina's vault. The sooner she gave her mother the teeth the sooner she was done helping the uncharmings.

Enchanted forest

Evie closed the book she just finished reading. It was one of the few books she was able to sneak out of her mother's room about magic. A heartbroken look crossed Evie's face as she rubbed the leather cuff around her right wrist. She hated it, the cuff prevented her from using her magic. Her mother made her wear it not long after she was forced to stay here in the castle with her. Her lessons with Maleficent had ceased, Evie wasn't even sure if her mother visit Mal anymore. She tried to ask her mother a few time, but her mother would storm out of the room and Evie would not see her for days.

Although she had fond memories of this castle when she was younger, this was her prison. Everything Evie did had to be supervised. There was a guard at her door twenty-four seven. The only people she could talk to was her mother and grandfather. The servants didn't dare talk to Evie in fear that Regina would punish them if they did. Evie was utterly alone. Her only companion was the books that her grandfather would sneak to her. True she could roam the grounds, however, she had to be accompany by either her mother or grandfather. She bet one of the maids could accompany her, but they were scared of her as well.

Evie longly looked out her window, wanting nothing more to ride Torin. But alas, her loyal stead was at Maleficent's castle if her mentor did not release him into the wild. Without her magic, Evie felt empty. Magic was a part of her and for her mother to deny her access to it for months on end was torturous. Evie knew this was how it was supposed to be until her mother found Snow. She was conflicted, Evie wanted her magic back, but not at Snow's expense. She would do almost do anything to conjure up anything rather than read about spells and charms in her mother's books.

The sound of horses nearing the castle snapped Evie from her daydreaming. Her mother's carriage stopped at the entrance of the castle. She and grandfather left earlier that morning, for what Evie was not sure. Evie could see her mother's guards opening the door for her. Even from how high Evie was, she could see the scowl on her mother's face, something that was common now to Evie. It seemed almost impossible to make her mother smile these days. Yet, what was peculiar to Evie was that her grandfather never exited the carriage.

The driver snapped the reigns and the horses started to trot to the stables and Evie's grandfather had yet emerge. Evie sat on her bed, waiting for her mother to come see her like she would normally do around this time of day. She had to know what happened to her grandfather, he was always by her mother's sides.

Minutes turned into hours, as Evie waited for her mother to see her. As time went on, hope that she was going to talk to her mother started to fade. It was ironic, when Evie first entered Maleficent's castle she wanted to go home with her mother. Now that she was here, she wanted to be far away from the place she once called home.

Evie's thoughts were interrupted when she heard the doorknob started to move. Quickly sitting up straight, Evie place another book she was reading to the side of her. Finally, she can ask her mother what happened to her grandfather. She hoped he was all right.

The door slowly open as Evie let out a sigh of relief. "Grandfather," Evie quickly stood up, ran and hugged her grandfather. "I was so worried when I didn't see you return with mother. What happened to you?" Evie let go of her grandfather. She noticed that he looked tired and was full of dirt.

"It's nothing to worry about my dear," he patted her hands as he tried to reassure her.

"No it is not. You're tired," Evie guided him to her bed. She didn't mind if it got messy, just as long as her grandfather was all right. Evie gave him a glass of water she kept by her bed. He graciously took the glass and drank the water. He handed her the empty glass and Evie placed it back on her nightstand. "What happened?"

Evie wished she was able to use her magic to freshen up her grandfather. She had begged him many times in the past to take off the blasted cuff, but he refused. Claiming that it would upset her mother. However, Evie knew there was more to the story, she could see that her grandfather feared the woman Evie's mother had become.

"Evita," her grandfather used the nickname her gave her when she was a child. Evie would never allow anyone else to call her that name, only her grandfather. "Don't worry about me. I'm old, I've lived my life. The only one that should worry is me over you and your mother."

"Mother did something didn't she?" his silence was a reassurance that Regina was the reason he did not return when she did and why he was so tired. Evie huffed and got up from her bed.

"Evita it's not her fault she was in pain," her grandfather tried to reason with her.

"Of course she is grandfather. She is always in pain and you know why? It's because she can't let the past go. She is afraid to face her mother so she places the blame on someone weaker than her and goes after Snow."

"Evelyn! Today was different. Today was the anniversary of Daniel's death," her heart grew cold at her grandfather's confession. Today was the day her father died, the man she never knew. It made since why her mother was cold on this day, but it didn't give her a right. Daniel died over fifteen years ago, her mother needs to let it go.

"So that gives her a right to hurt you? I wish I had my magic so she could stop hurting you."

"I don't want you to ever say that again," Evie took a few steps back at her grandfather's outburst. "I don't want you to use magic on your mother."

"She used magic on me," Evie argued.

"And if you do that, you're going to end up like her and Cora. You're better than that Evita," her grandfather tried to explain, he didn't want his only grandchild to be like his wife and daughter. He wanted Evie to be happy. Although magic can create many things, it could not create happiness.

Storybrooke

Regina let out a sigh of frustration as she read another book that didn't help either one of her dilemmas. She and Maleficent had been living in her vault for the past week to find a way to break the curse the Charmings were under. On top of that, Maleficent had been searching for another way to get rid of Regina's evil self without killing herself. So far no luck in either problem.

"It's all right dear," Regina looked up to see Maleficent behind her. "We will find a way," she squeezed Regina's shoulder, telling her it would be fine. Regina didn't know how Mal could do it. Even back in the Enchanted Forest, she was always the calm one when things got rough. When Regina would come to Maleficent's castle, Mal would be the one to calm her down after Snow slipped through her grasps.

Mal and Lily had been on her mind when she wasn't focus on finding a way to break the curse. She and Mal had yet told Lily the truth. They agreed once they found a way to break the curse the two would sit down with Lily and explain everything to her.

Even though she would have to explain to her daughter that she was her other mother, it was too surreal to understand, even for Regina. Maleficent was her true love. How could this be? That fairy told Regina that Robin was her true love. Regina made a mental note to visit the fairy and see how could this had happened.

Did Regina care for Mal, of course she did. Some may argue otherwise because Regina had trapped Maleficent under the library for twenty-eight years. But Regina had to. She couldn't explain it, but something deep inside her could bare to see Mal living a mundane life and to repeat it over and over again. That was cruel for her only friend.

Out of everyone she had met back in the Enchanted Forest, Maleficent was the only one to understand and accept her. She knew what happened to Daniel, and why it was important for her to get her revenge. Maleficent even told her when Snow was on her land.

There were memories, buried in the back of Regina's mind, where she can vaguely recollect when it was Mal and her lounging around and talking. Not about Snow, but about themselves. Their hopes and dreams. What Regina was planning to do when they had their happy ending. Regina couldn't believe that she had pushed those memories away, almost forgotten. But something wasn't right, something didn't feel right. Something was missing, Regina didn't know what.

"Regina," She looked back at Mal, "thought I lost you for a moment."

"No I'm here just thinking," she whispered softly.

"About Lily," Maleficent guessed. "Regina I know that I should had told you sooner."

"No," Regina shook her head and got up from her seat. She was stiff from sitting in that spot for hours. She tried to stretch out her sore muscles to achieve some relief. "It's okay I understand. I just can't believe that I pushed those memories aside," She looked up to Maleficent to see that she was confused. "The ones from your castle. It's my fault. I was to focus on what I thought could be my happy ending when apparently it was right there in front of me," She smiled as she looked at Mal.

"You remember?" Mal asked in shock.

"A little. Just fragments here and there," Maleficent was disappointed when she said that. Regina didn't mean to forget. It was that she was too consumed on herself to think of Mal. Regina reached for Mal's hand and rubbed her thumb over the outside of her hand. It felt right, natural. "We were happy Mal," although Regina would always love Robin, she knew he would want her to move on. Just like with Daniel, this too shall pass. Looking in Maleficent's eyes Regina thought that this could be enough for her.

"Regina," Maleficent started. Regina could see that Mal had something important to tell her. it was the same look she gave her when she told her that Lily was hers. But before Maleficent could say anything, the two heard footsteps running towards them.

"Mom!" Lily yelled when she reached the bottom of the steps. Regina let go of Mal's hand, they didn't want to discuss this here. "I think I found a way to help you," Lily said, not even noticing that she interrupted something. "There this girl who owns a spice shop and she had this," She pulled out a vial from her pocket. Regina eyes widen when she saw what it was. Vampire's teeth were rare and hard to come by. "She said it was an absorbent," Lily handed the vial to Mal. "If you could powder it down and tweak it could-"

"It could help us with the cure," Maleficent put two and two together. "Lily you're a genius!" She hugged their daughter.

"I have my moments," Lily shrugged her shoulders.

"What was the name of the shop?" Regina knew that something was wrong, there was no spice shops in Storybrooke.

"The Black Cauldron," there was certainly no place called the Black Cauldron in town.

"Lily how much did this cost?" This time Maleficent was the one to ask the question.

"Don't worry about it. Me and the shop owner made a deal," Regina and Maleficent looked at each other, knowing that they would have to visit this shop.

Enchanted Forest

Evie looked out of her outdoor balcony. It had been days since she had seen her mother. Regina usually didn't visit when there was a visitor in the castle. Evie wasn't that naïve, she had heard the maids talking about a powerful woman visiting her mother, a queen from a faraway land. She had asked her grandfather about this mysterious woman, but he refused to answer. Whoever she was, Evie's grandfather feared her more than her mother.

"Your highness," a light knock at the door caused Evie to look behind her.

"Come in," she invited her handmaid in. The girl was about the same age as Evie with brown hair tied up in a bun and hazel eyes. Evie had tried to talk to her before, but the girl did not meet her gaze.

"This came for you your majesty," she placed a small box on Evie's vanity. Without another word, the girl quickly started to get Evie's untouched dinner.

"Sophia," the girl looked up from her task at hand. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to escort me to my mother's chambers," Evie didn't want to involve the young girl, but she had to talk to her mother. She knew her mother was hurt. Evie could see she loved Maleficent, but she would not allow herself to show Mal until she let Daniel go. Maybe if she were to talk to Evie about her first love, then the healing process could begin.

"Your majesty it is late and the queen wishes not to be disturbed."

"Sophia please," Evie begged, "I would go on my own if my mother had not forbid so. I am not asking as a princess but as a daughter. Please allow me to see my mother," Evie could see that her handmaid was conflicted between duty and understanding.

"All right your majesty," Sophia bowed her head and opened the door. Evie walked out of her chambers and Sophia followed. The two were in silence as they walked to the queen's chambers. Evie wanted to say something, anything to reassure her that she was doing the right thing. However, Evie knew the girl would not respond. Sophia was risking a lot for Evie to see her mother and Evie did not want to get the girl in anymore trouble.

Evie could see it. All she and Sophia had to do was turn down this corner and the two were at her mother's camber. "After all love is weakness," Evie suddenly stopped as her mother's voice echoed through the hallway. No, her mother couldn't believe that, could she?

"I was wrong about that the man. I thought he was a good match I'm very sorry," Evie didn't recognize that voice. If she had to guess, it was the visiting royal from another land. Evie felt guilty for making Sophia escort her here, her mother was in a meeting. But who were they talking about? A man? Her mother was not looking for another suitor was she? What about Mal? Did she know? Or maybe it was for her. Many girls around Evie's age were getting married, perhaps this royal was helping her mother find Evie a suitor. She hoped not. "Now we both know you're not going to drink that so put it down so we can fix this." What drink? Evie started to walk faster down the hall.

"You don't think I'm strong enough to do this?" Evie turned the corner to see her mother talking to an older woman. By the way she was dress, the woman was defiantly a royal. The two were so immersed in their conversation they have yet acknowledge Evie or Sophia's presence. Even though the cuff blocked Evie from using magic, she could feel magic and this woman was radiating in dark magic. Evie could see the glass her mother was holding, the contains was clear. She had no idea what was in the cup.

"Stupid girl! You think it will make you strong to hurt yourself."

"It does if it hurts you more," Evie's mother raised the glass to her lip and drank the clear liquid. At first, nothing happened, her mother was fine. Then Evie could see pain on her mother's face. Whatever her mother did she, instantly regretted it. Her mother sat on the nearest seat. "Get the hell out of my life!" The queen yelled at the woman as she grew closer to her.

"Mother," Reality hit Evie and she ran to her mother's side. "Get away from her!" She pushed the woman who was in the way and kneeled in front of her mother. Her mother was in pain, unconsciously Evie raised her hand and tried to let her magic heal her mother. Like she expected, nothing happened. Evie looked up at the woman with full of hate. Whoever this woman was, she was a monster, Evie knew it the moment she laid her eyes on her. The woman looked shocked, as if she just found out something important.

"Well," She cleared her voice, "I was wrong Regina." The woman started to walk away. "A child would not help you. Especially not this one," she spat the last part full of venom.

"Go back to Wonderland mother. I don't need you," Evie's blood ran cold as she found out that this woman was the infamous woman her grandfather warned her about. This was Cora, her father's murder. Cora threw one last glance at her daughter and walked away, Evie hope it was back to Wonderland where she would never come back.

Evie's thoughts came back when she heard her mother starting to sob. "Mother," Evie placed her hands on her mother's hands.

"Go away Evie," Evie tried her best not to flinch at the harshness of her mother's voice. She tried once again to comfort her mother. Whatever Cora had done to her was serious, no one could make her mother cry. "Evelyn Go away!" Evie quickly stood up when her mother used her first name. "I don't need you here! Now go," Evie knew it was the pain that was talking, but it didn't hurt less.

Lowing her head in defeat, Evie started to walk back to her room. She could hear Sophia not too far behind her. The two remained in silence from the trip to her room and even after. Sophia grabbed Evie's plate and left without a word. Evie laid on her bed, trying to hold back the tears. Her attempt to justify her mother's actions were futile. Her mother's words kept repeating over and over in her head, she didn't need her. Maybe Cora was right as well, Evie couldn't help her mother. Not here at least. If only she and her mother could go far away, where no one knew them, then perhaps they could start over with a happy ending.

Looking over to her side, Evie spotted the box Sophia left for her. Curiosity got the better of her, Evie got up from her bed and walked towards the box. It looked ordinary, she removed the lid and was met with books. She began to dig into the box. Taking out the first books, Evie opened it to see it was a spell book. She looked down when she saw something fall from the book. It was a letter. Evie bent down and picked it up. It was addressed to her. Placing the book down, Evie opened the letter.

Evie,

Although I do understand why you stopped your lessons, I do not agree to it. Your mother does not have the right to force you to stop practicing magic. It should be your choice. Although I cannot teach you anymore, I hope these books can. You must know that you do not need access to your magic to create a potion. I want you to continue to grow and learn.

Evie looked at the bottom of the letter. There was no name, but she knew who had sent her this gift. She was glad that someone wanted her to keep learning and one day she would make good.

Storybrooke

Lily had left her mother and Regina in the vault. The two were hard at work trying to find a cure for the Charmings. The sooner they found it the sooner Lily had her mother back. But in the meantime.

Lily pushed open the glass door and a bell went off, telling the owner there was a customer. Sophia looked up from the box of vials she was putting on the shelfs.

"My name is Lily," Sophia put her box on the ground and wiped her hands on her skirt.

"Good," she nodded her head, knowing that Lily wanted her to teach her. "We start in two days."

Lily was confused, it looked like the girl needed a lot of help. "It will take me a few days, I have never taught anyone before," Sophia said, as she walked to the backroom. This was a beginning of something new.

So what do you guys think? Good? Bad? I want to know. Should Lily had taken the Evil Queen's deal or was she smart enough not to? Will Maleficent tell Regina about Evie? And wasn't it fun to see Cora met the granddaughter she never knew she had? Please tell me what you think and if you haven't yet, favorite and follow this story so you will know when I update the story. Before I leave, I have to address a couple of questions. Does Regina remember her time with Mal? Yes and no. She is starting to remember parts of it but not everything because Evie was in a lot of those memories. Is Daegan, Alex, JR, and Kristin will be part of this story or will they show up? I'm sorry but no. This story is completely unrelated to any of my other stories I created. I love them dearly and I will finish Dragon Heart soon. Also for my WOEE readers I know I didn't post the chapter yesterday, but my goal is to do it before thanksgiving. I will explain what is going on with that story when I post it. Until guys I will see you next time and happy Thanksgiving. Bye!