Title: The integrity of your revolution
Disclaimer: not my characters; title from Denise Levertov
Warnings: AU during season 1, grief
Pairings: none
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 250
Point of view: third
Prompt: any, any, "You're going pay for this!"
She feels the moment Regina's heart ceases to beat. The curse does not fail in the magicless world Regina dragged all those sorry sods to, no, but in their home world, yes. The magic splinters, shatters, and Cora breathes for the first time in years knowing her daughter breathes no more.
Someone has dared kill her daughter and Cora's rage explodes out, burning the very air around her, spiraling into the sky and setting it on fire.
Cora has gathered so much power and it is useless, now, because she is trapped and cannot go to her daughter, cannot cradle her, cannot comfort her. No. Regina is beyond her now.
But. But.
Yes.
"I will find me way to your world without magic, my darling," Cora promises her daughter, "and I shall make whoever dared harm you pay."
Yes. So sworn, she grounds the magic and turns to the pirate. "We must plan," she says. "Come." All of her previous ideas are useless now, but she warms herself with the thought of the agonies she'll inflict on the one who stole her daughter's life.
The pathetic fools are panicking, running around in fear and shock, and Cora pulls the life from any who dare approach her and the pirate. Power is what she needs, enough to tear open a portal. Perhaps – she glances towards where the beanstalk still stands.
"Make your ship ready," she commands the pirate. "I'll be back soon."
"Of course," the pirate purrs, bowing with a flourish, "Your Majesty."