A/N MERRY CHRISTMAS ONCERS! I hope you all have a good break. We worked really hard on this chapter so I hope you like it! Please review! It makes me smile when I hear from ya'll. Enjoy! xxx Nikki

Nova's POV:

"Here you go. Have a nice day!" I call as the female customer rushes out of the shop with her cupcakes. I sigh miserably. I look around at the empty shop. I turn my attention back to the window where people walk past, shooting me accusing looks.

Ever since Destiny disappeared with Regina, the whole town has been acting different around me. As if I had something to do with it. Our shop has been empty for almost a week now, except the casual orders from loyal customers.

Destiny is always so stubborn. Thinking that the people from her past are still the same when they're not. I don't have anything personal against Regina but from what I heard, I wouldn't trust her at all. Why did Destiny have to get involved and leave me with the consequences?

Annoyed, I start wiping the spotless counter absentmindedly. The bell rings suddenly. I stare at the door to find Graham entering. I adjust my smile on my face.

"Hi. What can I get for you today?"

"Sorry. I'm not in the mood of having cupcakes. I just came by to see how you're doing. I know this week hasn't been easy for you," he replies, looking sympathetic. I sigh deeply.

"I'm ok, I guess. No thanks to Destiny," I huff. Graham's eyes light up with hope.

"Have you heard from her?" He asks. I shake my head. Graham pinches the bridge of his nose. I place a hand onto his.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah... No. It's just... I'm worried about Destiny. I just keep thinking about her, whether she's ok. She hasn't been herself recently and... I'm starting to miss the Destiny I fell for," he says, running an agitated hand through his hair.

I forget all the mess for a second and put my hands over my face and giggle, "AWWW!" I shout. "Have you told her?"

He smiles at my reaction. Then it disappears, "No. But I'm going to go find her and tell her. You know, before the town gets to her."

Before I can ask what he meant he turns around and leaves. I shake my head and continue whipping the counter. The bell jingles again and my head shoots up to find the sad face of Mary Margaret. "What's the matter, Mary Margaret?"

"Have you heard about Destiny?"

I sigh, "Yes I know she ran off with Regina because Regina killed Archie."

She shakes her head, "That's the problem. Regina didn't kill Archie! Destiny did!"

I let out a small laugh.

"Look. Destiny can be reckless and tempered sometimes but she's not the type to kill someone. Especially Archie who she's never been around," I justify. I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Besides, how do you know that Destiny did it?" Mary Margaret leans against the counter.

"I don't believe Destiny could do this either but from what I heard, they found a silver blue necklace of hers from the crime scene. When I saw it, I instantly recognised it. I hate to say this but I think you need to be careful," she explains.

Worry starts to fill inside me. After gold removed the sleeping curse from the necklace, Destiny started wearing it again, hoping that Hook would recognise it- which clearly didn't work. Destiny has been acting strange lately... Could she really...Mary Margaret's unusually cold hand on mine shakes me from my thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you or anything."

"No, don't worry. Thanks for letting me know," I reply. Mary Margaret pulls a small smile before walking towards the door.

"Oh Mary Margaret! Aren't you going to order your cupcakes today?" She turns to me.

"Sorry. Not today!" She beams before leaving the shop. I frown. That's odd. Mary margaret always orders whenever she visits. Shrugging, I walk over to the tables and start adjusting them.

Destiny's POV

I peek out of Regina's office window. We had put a defensive spell surrounding the house when we first got here. "Well. It's still working." I turn away from the crowd outside and take a seat across from her. "So are we just supposed to camp out here until they leave or...?"

Regina groans and lays her head on her arms, "I don't know! I didn't plan on being charged for murder!"

I look away guiltily, "I know." Nobody can hear us. So what's holding me back from telling her? I have to tell her.

"Regina. There's something I have to tell you about-" I stop as I hear a familiar voice from outside. I rush to the window. The crowd started to make a pathway. I widen my eyes as I see Graham coming through.

"Is everything ok?" Regina asks in concern. I turn to her.

"Graham's coming. We need to let him in. He can help us." Regina sighs.

"Are you sure we can trust him? I have given him a reason to hate me." I shake my head.

"We can trust him. He cares about me. He won't let anyone hurt you," I reassure her. Regina sighs again. We both rush down the stairs. As we reached the front door, we could hear the yells and protests of the people.

"Move out of the way now! Regina, are you there? Destiny?" Graham calls behind the door. Regina nods to me. She moves her glowing hand across the door, removing the spell. Quickly, I open the door, letting Graham squeeze through before closing it behind him. Regina casts the spell again.

"Destiny! Are you ok?" Graham asks as he pulls me into a warm hug. I bury my face in his chest.

"I'm ok." I move out of the hug.

"I was so worried. I'm glad you are safe." He eyes Regina. I look at Regina, then at him.

"Graham. I know what you're thinking but Regina didn't kill Archie. She wouldn't do something like that!"

He doesn't look away from Regina when he replies, "Are you sure?"

I nod, wrapping my arms around his waist, making eye contact with Regina, "I trust her with my life."

He looks down and smiles, "If you trust her, so do I." He leans down and gives me a sweet kiss.

I smile into the kiss, finally something's going right. "Eh hem. Not wanting to ruin the moment but we should probably go back upstairs. And Destiny, you were going to tell me something?"

I grab Graham's hand, "Yeah, let's talk upstairs."

We get back to Regina's office and I put an extra protective spell on the door. "What are you doing?"

I walk over to the windows and repeat the spell, "What I'm about to tell you… something's going to happen afterward and there's a small percent that we'll all get out alive." I look around the room and nod when I'm satisfied.

"Okay Regina. You didn't kill Archie."

She gives me a look and huffs. "Why thank you Captain Obvious. I thought you were going to tell us some useful information!"

"And I am! I just don't know how to say it." I mess with my fingers and walk around the room nervously.

"Oh for crying out loud, Destiny, just say it!"

"Your mother killed Archie and is framing you!" I blurt. My hand shoots over my mouth and I collapse in a chair.

"My-my mother? Did you say my mother? That's impossible! She's dead."

I shake my head. "It's true. I don't know how she's here but she told me you tried to make her disappear and that she wants to get revenge. That's when she planned this. She threatened me not to tell you, but it got too out of hand and that's why I put more protection up but nothing's-"

"Going to stop her." Regina finishes.

I nod and walk over to Graham, leaning against him. "It's only a matter of time until-"

Behind us, the sound of something shattering fills our ears. I start to panic inside. We all turn to the door to find Cora.

"Did you really think your magic would stop me?" She smirks. She strolls towards us, the purple smoke dissipating behind her. Regina shoots up from her seat.

"Mother. I thought you were dead." Cora stops a few inches away from us.

"I'm sorry I disappointed you." Cora stops for a moment, taking in the yells from outside.

"It's awfully loud here. How about we go somewhere more peaceful?" Without another word, Cora twirls her fingers in the air. Our surroundings change. We find ourselves in a vault like room.

"Where did you take us?"

"Don't worry, dear. Regina is quite familiar with this place, aren't you?" I turn to Regina. Her face looks grim. Slowly, I hear a harmony of beating sounds. Almost like heartbeats. I stare at the several little boxes in front of us.

"Are those..." Regina keeps her eyes on Cora. Cora walks around the room, examining them.

"That's right. You can be very funny sometimes, Regina. You say you're nothing like me, yet here you are, keeping the hearts of people like souvenirs." I feel my heart stop. I glance at Regina with a questioning look.

"That is not the point here, mother. Destiny tells me that you are trying to frame me for Archie's death. To be honest, i'm not surprised."

"Oh did she?" She looks genuinely surprised but we all know that she was pretending. "Well that's odd. Destiny and I had a little deal, didn't we honey?"

I open my mouth but was cut off by Regina, "She was just being a good friend mother."

Cora lets out a fake laugh, "Friend?! Would a good friend keep you away from Archie all day so I could kill him?"

I look down at the floor guiltily. "Destiny?" Regina whispers, taking a couple steps towards me. "Is this true?"

My eyes shoot up and lock with Regina's, who looked like she had been betrayed. "I believe you wronged Cora and should be punished for it." I make a face and shake my head, "I mean, you were a bitch to your mother and she's just returning the favor." I cover my mouth and glare at Cora.

"Mother, stop!" She then looks back at me, "I don't know why you did it…" She shakes her head, "But I can't believe you made me think you wanted to be close again." Before I could reply she waved her hand and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

I spin around and glare at Cora, who just smiled. "You know what happens next, Destiny. You broke our agreement so now I have to crush your friend's heart.." She pauses and looks over my shoulder, smiling. My heart grows cold and I take a step back, attempting to block her from Graham.

"No!"

She cackles. "Destiny, you just made my decision. And I did say I was going to take the heart of someone you loved. You do love him don't you?"

"Of course I do but-"
"You love me?"

I turn around and smile, tears flowing down my face. "Of course I do."

He smiles and wipes the tears off my cheeks. "I love you too." He bends over and kisses me. All of a sudden his back arches and pain is evident in his eyes. "Graham!" I scream.

He falls to his knees, hands clutching at his chest. Behind him appears Cora with a now empty hand, the dust drifting to the floor.

"No!" I scream, clutching Graham to me. "Don't leave me, Graham! Please!" I sob, trying to ignore the stinging of the blackness racing across my skin.

"Oh dear."

I faintly hear Cora before I fling myself away from Graham, writhing on the floor in pain. I lift up my shirt and dozens of black veins are shooting at high speeds at my heart. When each vein hit my heart, a tear disappears.

I grip onto my head, feeling the veins pulse viciously inside. I couldn't hear myself screaming. I turn to Graham beside me, his body lifeless. I close my eyes, letting the veins overcome me. All my memories flash in front of me. Of Nova. Of Killian...

Gradually, the pain stops. I open my eyes. All the goodness inside me is replaced by the darkness of my power. I get to my feet slowly, black smoke falling off of me revealing a dangerously sexy black dress. My body feels so stiff and sore but I smile, this is who I'm supposed to be. I stare at the confused Cora before me. I grin.

"What happened? Did I frighten you?" I say, feeling the coldness wrap itself around my voice. Cora throws a cold glare at me.

"You don't frighten me, dear." Cora moves around me towards the door.

"Because of you, Regina's escaped. But I can handle her from here. As you have shown you cannot follow orders, I no longer need you." She raises her hand and thrusts a fireball at me. Casually, I catch it. My touch turns it to black. Cora's eyes widen.

"You should be afraid of me. You don't know what I'm capable of." I throw the fireball at her. Instantly, she flies back, breaking the door open behind her. As I walk through the smoke I had caused, I stop where Cora lay helplessly on the ground. She groans in pain.I grab hold of her hand. We immediately transport to the main road where the diner is.

"I do hope you don't mind me bringing some of your 'friends'?" I snap my fingers twice and Regina, Killian, and Gold appear. I wave my hand and they freeze. "Now isn't this lovely, Cora?" I hold her shoulders as I turn her to face the three. "That they could all make it here to watch you die?" I giggle. "It's sad though. All the people here has betrayed one another in some shape or form. I guess that's life for ya!"

I pull her back a couple feet before amplifying my voice. "Let it be known!" I yell, causing people to peep their heads out of windows and doors. "The sweet Destiny you once knew.." I pause and bury my hand in Cora's chest. I pull it out and smile down at the black heart. "Is no longer here." Without hesitation, I crush the heart, dust falling out of my hands.

Instantly, a crowd of people gather around us. Automatically, Killian, gold and Regina start to move again. Regina's eyes widen as she sees Cora's dead body.

"No! Mother!" She cries, falling to her knees. Gold stares silently. Killian's eyes also widen at the sight. He looks towards me, confused.

"Destiny... What's going on?" He ask softly. I stare at him darkly.

"I don't have to explain to you. I don't have to explain to any of you!" I shout. A smile slowly twitches on my lips.

"Actually, you all should be thanking me. I saved you all from a manipulative, evil woman." Regina glares at me. She rises up.

"That's my mother you're talking about," she sneers. I laugh at her.

"You didn't think that when you tried to make her disappear, did you? Admit it. You're relieved that she's dead." I smirk as she stares at me in disbelief. Killian approaches me.

"Why are you acting like this? Destiny, this isn't like you." I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Well, you've certainly changed your tune, Hook. Where is all this righteousness coming from?" Killian creases his forehead.

"Hook? What are you talking about? I'm Killian... Your killian." He touches my shoulders gently. The warmth from his fingers couldn't remove the darkness that had settled in my heart. I couldn't feel my love for him anymore. I shove his arms away from me. He stumbles back.

"Don't you dare touch me! I am not as weak as you think I am. I was a fool to think that my emotions made me strong. They only gave me pain!" I smile down at him, "You really think your pirate charm could seduce me?"

He shakes his head desperately, his hurt evident in his eyes.

"Destiny, please believe me. I was silly to not remember you before but I do now. I'm sorry for hurting you." I feel my temper rise.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear another word from that filthy mouth of yours! Just-"

"Destiny?"

I turn around to find Nova, staring at me in disbelief. Before she speaks, her eyes turn to Cora's dead body. She freezes.

"What did you do..." She breathes out in shock. Her eyes grow fearful. I smile at her.

"Just sorting out some business. If I were you, I suggest you walk away right now. Unless you want to make me angry too..."

She takes a step forward, hands reaching out. "Destiny…"
I fling my hand out and she flies into the crowd. "I warned you!" I look down at Hook, Gold, and Regina. "Did I not warn her?" I shake my head. "Why do you humans not listen!" I shout, my amplified voice causing screams.

I take in my surroundings. It was dark, only lights where coming from the Diner and street lights. There were about 30 people scattered around, all of them scared. "Someone's missing…" I whisper, gazing over the crowd I realise that the Charmings weren't here. I sigh, I guess they'll find out eventually. "Tis' the season! I have a special present for you all!"

I bring my hands to my mouth and whisper a spell. A purple dust forms in my hands and I blow, spreading the dust. "See you soon!" I laugh as each person slowly falls down. "When you wake up you won't remember a thing." I look down at a sleeping Gold, "But I need you." I snap my fingers and we appear in his store.

Rolling my eyes I kick his side, "Wake up you old goose." As I wait for him to wake up, I start looking around the store. I spot a pretty little ring and slip it into my dress.

"What are you doing?" I spin around and smile, "Rumple! So glad you're awake. Now I have an offer that you simply can't refuse!" I skip over to the counter.

"Is that so? Now why would I help you after the mess you've just caused."

I gasp, "What are you talking about? As far as anyone else is concerned, tonight was just a normal night." I smile at him, watching as he slowly connects the dots.

"You made them forget. Why not me?"

I giggle, "This is the fun part!" I lean in and whisper, "because I need you. Ah! It's going to be like old times, Rumple!" I spin around, swishing my skirts.

"Do you mean-"

"I found it!" I slam my hands on the counter making him jump. "Actually I found it years ago but I wasn't going to tell anyone and I was oh too good to actually use it. But now! Now I finally have the power I was destined for. So.. Rumpelstiltskin, I know you haven't really turned the page and that you're just itching to become ,well, the old Rumple. So how bout it? Wanna go back to the Enchanted Forest and rule?"

I could practically see the wheels turning in his head, weighing the pros and cons. I tap my fingers on the counter, bored. "Come on Rumple I don't have much time."

Gold looks up at me, his face thoughtful. He sighs.

"I don't really have a choice, do I? Even if I disagree, you'll still go ahead with it," he replies. I smile with the corner of my mouth.

"That's what I like about you, Rumple. You see things as it is." I walk around the counter and stop in the middle of the shop. I glance at Gold.

"You better keep close to me, Rumple." As he moves towards me, I grab the ring I had taken from the shop and place it on the ground. I hover my hands over it and concentrate my power on it. I close my eyes and imagine the enchanted forest.

Slowly, a breeze dances around us. It grows stronger and stronger. Suddenly, I feel the ground disappear beneath our feet, leaving us floating in the air. Eventually, we land on a soft surface. The wind dissolves around us. I open my eyes. A smile forms on my lips.

"Welcome home."