She explained to me how the ritual is going to work. The role of the coven is plain and simple, they are merely an ingredient. Kirnon has foretold a long old prophecy of a witch who will bring darkness into the world setting free the creatures of evil. No more light, no more suffering, a dream that all of us shared. Gothel kicked out Drizella and Anastacia out of the coven because she knew they're not going to agree with this. Drizella is fixated in her own quest for petty revenge on Belfrey. Anastacia is a clueless girl who happened to be a witch. They are nothing but liability. Gothel prepared everything for the ritual while I wait inside the room. I saw a mirror hanging by the wall. Somehow I got curious and used my magic to see what Henry is doing.
He's in the bar with the others. Suddenly my place became a headquarters. "I couldn't find her anywhere. She's not answering her phone. I don't know what to do anymore", Henry muttered in frustration. "You know your mother, Henry. If she doesn't want to be found, no one can ever find her", Rumple said. He is right. "Well, we can't just stand here and do nothing. Every minute she spends with that witch, she's becoming more and more evil", Zelena said. "Is that even possible?" Jacinda asked. Zelena scoffed. "Oh you haven't seen my sister at her worst, trust me you don't want to be around when she became like that again", she answered. I noticed Henry getting angry. Then he got up and threw a glass on the wall. I have never seen that side of him before. "She is not going to be like that again. I know my mom. She's strong", he exclaimed. Everyone went quiet. "I hope you're right, lad, because from what I remember, bad things happen when she's losing the love of her life", Hook said. "We need help", Drizella muttered.
I waved at the mirror and stopped watching them. I got troubled by seeing Henry like that. I know I can't feel anything anymore but that triggered something in me that I can't explain. The door went open. "It's time", Gothel said. We went out together and saw the coven ready to perform the ceremony. I stood inside the circle. We all recited the spell and focused our energy. Then, I can feel their powers pouring inside me, except for Gothel, who is presiding the ritual. One by one, they started falling down the floor. It's done. I looked around and saw them all have gotten weak. "Don't worry about them. They will be fine. You and I have more important things to do", Gothel said.
We both went at the center of the town which is the Community Gardens. "This is it, Regina. There's no turning back. After it's done, no one will be ever to touch us anymore, no more pain", Gothel said. I am counting on that part. I closed my eyes and begin. It's almost twelve noon but the dark clouds started to block the sun. I started recalling Kirnon's words to me when he offered me the spell book. You are the key, Regina. You will bring forth the darkness into the world. You will unleash evil. You will free us from being kicked aside by the heroes. You will show them where true power lies. It's you. It's always been you. I am doing it now. He is getting what he always wanted.
"Regina stop!" I heard Zelena's voice. I opened my eyes and saw them coming. Gothel became my guard. "That is close enough", she said to them. The sky gets darker and darker. "If you do this, Regina, you're not going to be able to come back. You're going to kill yourself", Hook said. I think Gothel responded on my behalf. I am not sure. It's getting hard to hear them now. I am slowly spreading the darkness all around me. Soon, Hyperion Heights will be covered on it. I let my powers flow through my hands. The dark clouds grew thick until there's nothing left of the sunlight. Portals started opening. Just like what Gothel said, it's not just in this world but in all the realms. "Mom, stop! Please!" Henry pleaded but I can't stop.
I heard screaming coming from the portals. The creatures of evil started to come out and play. "Regina!" Rumple called. I opened my eyes and saw him standing across from us. He then showed me Facilier, alive. "I think my heart just stopped. He is alive. "What?" I muttered in surprise. There's no single scratch on his body. "It's all Gothel, Regina. She tricked all of us. She wanted you to think that we killed him but he is not dead", Rumple said. I saw Gothel smiled. "You're right, Dark One. I tricked all of you but that's not what I wanted", she said. I looked at her. "She is much stronger than before. She can survive a death of a loved one but there's nothing much more painful than being betrayed by them", she added. Rumple looked at her. "What are you talking about?" he asked her. She started laughing. "I wanted you to find him. I want you to find him so Regina will know how it feels like to be betrayed by the person she loves", Gothel answered and then looked at me.
"What is she talking about?" I asked Facilier who remains quiet the whole time. For the first time, I can see guilt in his eyes.
"I did what I thought was right for the both of us", he answered.
"What are you talking about?" I asked again.
"Oh, let me answer that. He is working with me. That's right. I helped him get into this land so he can get close to you and slowly break your walls down to make you more susceptible to my plans. I think he succeeded with that though he is not the one who killed the members of our coven. That he is innocent of. But his so-called death, that was very much staged. He is great, isn't he?" Gothel answered.
"Is that true?" I asked Facilier.
"My feelings for you are real, Regina. It always has been. She promised me that we can be together once you return to your former glory. Everyone in here is against us, your so-called family. They are holding you back! They wanted you to be something else that you're not. I want you to be who you really are. I just want you to be mine. I want to make you happy", he exclaimed. I can't believe this.
"This is what she wanted…" Zelena muttered. "This is part of her plan to totally break her", she added. You know that feeling when the world has been crushed and you got stuck in the middle? I am feeling worse than that right now.
"I love you, Regina", he muttered.
"Love? You faked your own death and worked with her so you can drag me back to being the Evil Queen and that's love for you? Fine. You wanted to see what evil looks like? Happy to oblige", I said and then screamed and let everything go.