Live as Regina

by Mac NorthSea

On the way to Neverland,Emma is troubled by the moments in the mines she and Regina had at moment of Regina's self-sacrifice that changed everything,even Emma herself.With understanding her upbringing gave her,the Savior decides to save not only Henry but his mother as well. Doing so will take her and her family through harrowing challenges of love,duty,conflict,and magic.

25. Chapter 23 Part 3

Without further ado, Part 3.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 23. Part III

The Savior felt the discharge of her magic before she saw it. Smiling from her seat she listened to the reactions of the people beside her as they murmured in awe at the large fiery pillar shaping into a swan with wide spread wings springing into flight. She wished she could have been there to see their faces when the king and others entered the tent, but that would be too reckless even for her, so she had to satisfy herself with the reactions from her own people.

"Impressive feat of conjuring, dearie," she heard the familiar voice from behind her, and then she saw Rumplestiltskin appear in her periphery, standing to her left side, leaning onto the wall, resting the weight of his leg. Emma had noticed his pronounced limping, and even offered to try and heal it, or just mend it for the time being, but the stubborn old man refused each time, and she wanted to honor his choice. "And, so it begins," he added, as the enemy encampment seemed to buzz with commotion, and right then the trumpets sounded, announcing the advance. "He did always have a flair for dramatics," the former Dark One commented as he watched the gold colored soldiers march up into their position, making Emma chortle a laugh before she shook her head at him. "Well, he does. Instead of attacking during the night, hidden in the dark, without announcing himself, he had to play the fanfares…"

Emma only stepped of the wall and patted his shoulder, before watching the soldiers of the Safe Haven get ready for the assault, under the capable directions of the leaders she and Phillip had put in charge of the defense. "You could use this time of testing the lines of defense to get some rest," Rumplestiltskin suggested, with concern lacing his voice as he looked into her face. "We can manage for a couple of hours, for sure," he added softly as she looked at him unsurely. "You haven't slept for three days straight now, and gods know how long this would take."

"Fine," she conceded, letting her shoulders droop and for a second there, Rumple thought the blonde was going to stomp off with a pout on her face, but he shouldn't have worried as the Savior swept out with poise he could not associate with the Sheriff of Storybrooke of two years before. Despite the obvious fatigue, both mental and physical, the blonde seemed to possess the aplomb of her station, looking very much like one to rule the Realms. Even now, with slight pause in her steps and squint in her tired eyes, she looked more like a Royal than her father ever had.

The Sheriff knew Rumple was right. All the magic she had used that morning alone had left her feeling a bit woozy, and coupled with the bout of sleeplessness she had endured it really was taking its toll on her. The funny thing was, she remarked silently to herself, as she entered to her quarters, if she wasn't so tired, she wouldn't be that affected with the use of magic, and vice versa, if she wasn't so spent with all the healing and enchanting she had been doing, she wouldn't be that much susceptible to exhaustion. Darkening the room, she didn't even bother with taking off her clothes, only putting away her weapons and the cloak and dropping face down onto her bed. Suddenly, she felt overwhelmed with enervation that she sank into sleep without delay, not even managing to pull up a pillow.

She regained consciousness as someone was shaking her gently but insistently, with a anxious tone pleading with her to wake up. There was a strong but tender hold over her hands, pinning them down to the mattress, and Emma finally focused onto the voice calling to her, instantly recognizing Red's worried whisper. "Ruby?" she croaked, frowning at the pain in her throat.

"Oh, gods, you are finally awake," the werewolf said with unrestrained relief, landing on top of her, the strong but feminine arms going around the blonde in a firm hug. With a confused pat on the girl's shoulder, Emma just let the shifter get her fill, before she gently pushed her friend up. It was her still confused look that beseeched Ruby to answer. "I came to check on you, and you were screaming your head off," the werewolf explained softly, her warm hand pushing Emma's sweat drenched golden hair out of her face, concern still present in the dark blue eyes as they skimmed over her features.

"I don't remember," the Savior mumbled softly, still feeling extremely tired, as she felt a yawn pull at her. Blinking to clear up her vision from the haze of her sleep she noticed a rapidly reddening spot on Ruby's jaw and frowned. As the dots connected, she gasped with recrimination as she reached for the injured spot tenderly – now it made sense why the shifter had restrained her. "Oh, Ruby," Emma whispered, but the Wolf shook her head, taking the hand into her own.

"Hey, it's OK, it's already healing, see?" Ruby gestured, and indeed the redness was already subdued.

Dropping her head back on the bed, Emma closed her eyes as she sighed deeply. Ruby would accept no apologies so she didn't even try, but she did feel ashamed for it, no matter how accidental it was. So lost in her mind flogging herself she was that she didn't even notice the mattress shift until her boots were taken off her feet. Before she could complain, Ruby lifted her legs and pulled her up into a proper position, causing the blonde to let out undignified yelp. "Hey!"

"Now, you are going to rest, as you clearly need it," Red spoke, channeling Granny's no-nonsense tone perfectly, before she climbed on the bed beside her, covering them both with a light blanket. Only then Emma realized that Ruby too wore no shoes. "I am sure someone will come to find you if you are needed," came the soft reassurance as the girl settled down beside her friend, gripping her hand in support.

"Where is Mulan?" Emma tried to redirect the attention, still fighting against the idea of rest when there were only nightmares waiting for her in the shadows of her mind.

"Sleeping," Ruby replied shortly. "Just as you should be." Then the woman turned to the blonde, her kind gaze finding the tired eyes of her friend, as they lied on pillows. "Maybe some sleeping potion, or a drink would help?" the brunette spoke gently, still watching her goddaughter with worry. Emma just shook her head and looked up to the ceiling.

"It makes it worse," the woman sighed helplessly. "I tried several things, Rumple suggested some of them… All they did was to make it harder for me to wake up, and the dreams more real." Then the Sheriff threw a glance to her friend. "And, some of those make me feel really sloshed, so me high and having access to magic, while being out all Savior-y is not a good idea."

"Is that even a word?" Ruby commented, scrunching her face. The Savior shrugged beside in careless motion, before sighing once more. "Alright, come here," the Wolf spoke suddenly, pulling the blonde to herself.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Emma complained, trying to push the insistent woman away but the werewolf was using her preternatural strength and the Sheriff loathed the idea of using magic against her friend, especially after having kicked her mere minutes before.

"Shush," the girl spoke after she manhandled the Savior into fetal position, with Ruby being the big spoon. "Just relax. This is the position you settle yourself in after you fall asleep, and I thought I could just speed things up." Ruby did not bring up the fact that the very position spoke of Emma's state of mind in her sleep – about obvious trust she placed in Red to protect her, to have her back, literally - for it would only make the blonde uncomfortable. She knew that Emma was feeling ridiculous for needing someone to help her sleep, the fact that they had been over almost every time one of them would pressure the blonde to get some rest. And, no matter how hard they tried to convince her of the opposite, the Savior only grudgingly let them be there for her, her displeasure obvious. Ruby also knew that the Sheriff was deeply grateful for what they were doing for her, but her pride, the sense of idiocy surrounding the need of sleep watchers and many other hang ups prevented her from showing it outright. However, there were small gestures that, inconsequential in their own right, spoke of Emma's appreciation.

A minute later, Ruby lifted of the pillow to check on Emma, thinking the blonde was pouting and staring off to the side, but, to her surprise, the woman was asleep, her hands tucked in the space between her shoulder and neck. Pulling the blanket up and gently covering Emma's shoulder, Ruby carefully lowered herself, closer to the sleeping woman and closed her eyes. Although she was tired too, she didn't need to sleep to rest, but instead let herself hang in the soothing space in-between sleep and wakefulness, from where her keen senses could pull her out from in the matter of seconds if something was wrong.

The Sheriff woke several hours later, feeling much better, despite the slight twinge in her shoulder from the pose she had been sleeping in. Stretching her muscles she moved to lie on her back but the warm body of her friend was in the way. Ruby chuckled at the surprised grunt Emma let out, as she watched the Savior turn on her other side, now facing her. "Feeling better?"

"I guess," the blonde said before clearing her throat as she rubbed her face with her hands. "So, it's back to the fray, right?"

"Well, I think it beats spending hours and days trying to buy the Christmas presents for all of the family and friends you now have." The Wolf grinned at the Savior with humor. "I don't think your wallet could support that." The shifter didn't know what made her speak of the holiday, but she supposed that with Yuletide only a day away it was on her mind.

"Beats listening to the jingles for two months straight, too," Emma added, pulling herself up in the bed, rolling her shoulders. "And that falsely cheery tone everyone seems to get." Her tone was hard and cynical, showing that she was less than enthused about the festivities around the holiday.

"You don't like Christmas very much, do you?" Ruby noted, as she watched her friend scowl before shrugging off. However, her insistent but kind gaze pushed the blonde to elaborate on the topic.

"It's not a very fun time for an orphan. It reminds you of all the things that you don't have and somehow making you feel like it's your own fault." Emma glanced at Ruby with a wistful smile before she shifted, making a move to rise but her friend's voice stopped her.

"You are not an orphan anymore."

"I am." Putting on her boots, the Savior stood up before she turned to the shifter now kneeling in front of her, obviously trying to think of the words to convince of otherwise. But, she wasn't in the mood to listen to the platitudes, she had heard them before - it hadn't changed anything then, and it certainly wasn't going to change much now. "I may have parents now, but it does not change the fact that for my whole life I was alone, abandoned and lost. It doesn't change the fact that I had to grow up the way I did, suffer the way I had and make the choices that I had made." Her eyes were flashing angrily as she pinned the brunette with her deadly stare. "And no amount of playing happy families and ignoring it would change the fact that I am an orphan."

"Your parents love you," Ruby spoke helplessly.

"I know," Emma sighed with an edge of disbelief but not willing to elaborate on her thoughts on the subject, putting on her belt. How can you love someone you don't know? "But they still chose the Savior instead of their daughter," she added, traces of bitterness clear in her tone before she stopped herself from uttering something harsh and perhaps undeserving, raising her hand with the palm forward, stopping her friend from adding anything else. "Make no mistake, I wouldn't change my life for it gave me Henry and Regina and…" Grinding her teeth as she swallowed, Emma forced herself to calm before continuing. "For them, I would do it all over again," she said stopping once more, after another false start, the slight inflection in the blonde's tone filled with so much meaning Ruby heard, and she understood the underlying message. There was a lot of resentment in the Savior toward her parents, and the Wolf knew that it would take a lot of time and love for them to get past this – and Emma was right, Snow's penchant of pretending that everything was just dandy was only hurting them in the long run. "I…" Emma started again, but then she changed her mind, her eyes suddenly turning flat as the mask Ruby had grown very familiar in the past several weeks slammed over the woman's face, "need to go and check on Jonas." And, just like that the topic was closed, the conversation shut down and the Savior back under her emotionally distant façade.

Left alone as the blonde strode out with purpose, Ruby groaned to herself and collapsed onto the bed, dejectedly closing her eyes in defeat. Well, that was a roaring success, she groused to herself in silence before she went to her own quarters, needing to see the woman currently residing in her bed.

It was late afternoon when Emma walked out of the castle, throwing the hood of her cloak over her head as she scowled at the rainy sky. The storm had rolled in from the sea right after the lunch hour, and it had been pouring restlessly since then, making the already somber mood much worse. She could dispel it, but if her people were feeling miserable as they were enclosed under the protection of the walls, under roofs and beside well maintained fires, then the people outside were downright wretched, with the winds and mud and freezing permeating rain, therefore she decided against it – it served them well and it was a considerable discharge of magic, one she wasn't sure she could afford at the moment. And, besides, the enemies had a witch on their side, too. She could do some of the hard work, as well.

Grimacing against the loud crashes of the trebuchet fire against her shields she had erected around the walls of the palace, the Savior climbed up to the parapets, looking down at the army gathered beneath the walls. It was a sight she would never forget, she knew. More than a thousand men were in front of the gates, just far enough to be out of the range of the arrows, armed and ready with ladders and ropes, waiting for the artillery to weaken the shields and do some damage. The soldiers paid no heed to the white mist lifting off their faces, to the freezing wind blowing through their ranks, intent on breaching the walls.

"They have been standing there all day," suddenly, Emma heard a familiar deep voice of the Black lieutenant from behind her. "It would seem that they haven't expected our walls to be so impenetrable. Truth be told, neither have I." The lieutenant smirked at the Savior, knowing full well that she was responsible for the current state. "How long can it last?" he asked curiously as he peered over the wall, his eyes tracking the flying rock as it impacted the shield close to where they were standing, the boom of the contact rattling the tools and weapons left around. It sounded much like the cannon fire to both Emma and Damian, making them wince at the noise.

"A while," the Savior replied. "When it starts to shimmer and ripple, that's when you get worried." She waited for another explosion to pass before she continued on. "In this tempo, it will last through the night, unless Zelena doesn't do something to countermand it."

"Good to know." The black soldier stepped away from the railing and gestured to Emma to join him while he patrolled the parapets, placing himself between the wall and the blonde, an added measure of precaution in his mind. It was a practice the soldiers did for the people of importance, such as royals or high ranking officials. It did not escape Emma's notice, but she indulged him with a barely there smirk. "This damn weather, though. I hope it keeps." When the Savior looked at him under the hood, he waved at soldiers' change. "I rotate them quite often, making sure to keep them as warm and dry as possible. Miss Belle and Lady Aurora have helped the healers to make a potion, a tea of sorts, against hypothermia, and they get it regularly, too. So, apart from getting drenched every now and then, they won't be harmed."

"While Midas's men will be, especially if they stay out throughout the night."

"It may not sound like a proper warfare, but…" Damian stopped as he opened the door of the guard tower, letting Emma enter first. "Whatever helps," he added softly, as if ashamed it wasn't a duel or a proper face to face, two armies in the field, battle to the death – kind of fight.

"I've never been in a war before," Emma noted absently, as she lowered her hood. "Knew a few soldiers here and there, but…" She shook her head, chasing away the errant thoughts, before she focused onto the man before her. "I have only Regina's experience and books to guide me through this, Damian. Whatever helps – works for me."

"You are doing admirably," the soldier offered quietly, bowing his head slightly so he wouldn't tower over her. "Especially for a kid who didn't grow up here," he added in a tone that on others might have sounded tremulous, but on him it was only slightly unsure, for he didn't know if she was going to accept his good-natured teasing.

The blonde silently chuckled, her shoulders shaking with effort to suppress the snort she was about to let out. "Kid," she voiced with disbelief, before she leaned against the wall. "I can't believe I am thirty years younger than any of you…"

"Practically, a toddler, aren't you?" the man replied sarcastically, recognizing the permission to relax in her presence. "Wee baby Savior, kicking arse all over the place," he spoke in exaggerated accent, making Emma explode with laughter as she imagined a baby walking all imperiously among the people of Enchanted Forest. They traded comments back and forth, all the while Emma was laughing uproariously, unable to stop herself. She knew that her amusement had a slight tinge of hysteria to it, as she was losing control over her emotions and the topic Ruby had accidentally started that day hadn't helped at all, but, still, it felt good to laugh at the nonsense she was spouting off with Damian.

"Thank you, I needed that," Emma spoke, placing her hand at the man's forearm in gratitude, after several minutes spent in trying to calm down.

"Live to serve, White Knight," Damian answered with fist over his heart, meaning his words truly. But, then he stopped the woman from leaving the shelter from the rain, his moves careful and nonthreatening. "It heals, your Grace," he whispered, knowing he was crossing many boundaries but he had eyes and he had seen the worries trouble the young Savior. He could have done nothing for the woman whose crest he bore with pride, but perhaps an unsolicited gesture of kindness, a piece of advice, may help the burdened Knight in front of him. "It may not seem that way now, but an honest laugh, coming from the soul – it heals the heart and chases the darkness away." She stood with her back to him, facing the half opened door, her hand gripping the edge of it firmly, so he could hear the creaking of the leather of her glove against the hard wood, but she didn't speak or move. In fact, he wasn't sure she was breathing. "Take it from a killer," he added in a murmur with self-deprecation.

Hanging her head, Emma leaned it against her hand on the door, not sure how to respond to Damian's words. She did appreciate his trying to help, but at the same time she hated the fact that he had felt the need to mention anything. But, before she could figure out the words she noticed something. Or, rather the absence of something. Lifting her head, Emma listened, opening the door wider and walking through them, leaving Damian confused behind her. "The barrage has stopped," she said to him after several more moments had passed, and indeed, there was nothing to be heard but the incessant pounding hum of the rain, deafening in its own right but not interrupted with the explosions of the trebuchets. Rushing toward the wall, she paid no heed to her hair getting wet as she leaned over, watching the soldiers in the distance.

"You think they gave up," the lieutenant asked, right beside her, finally caught up with the news.

"No, they just wised up," the Savior answered, pointing toward the new projectiles flying toward them. There was a certain reddish glow about them and the woman could feel the spell placed over the rocks, knowing that these new weapons would be much more effective in bringing down her magical protection. "Brace!" she shouted to the soldiers as she pushed her companion down, behind the safety of the wall. Her warning had come in the nick of time, and just as the men ducked, the stone collided with her barrier only four feet above her head, exploding into a shower of pelting debris falling over them, while the barrier flickered from the assault, but still intact.

"Incoming," came the warning from the topmost tower, and not waiting for another order, the men huddled behind the walls, protecting their faces from the next projectile.

"How long have we got?" Emma heard an authoritative voice demand an answer, the person not seeing her yet from beside Damian. Phillip had rushed out as soon as he had noticed the explosions stop and the last one had taken him by surprise, as he had not heard Emma's shout. It seemed that some of the debris had caught him on the side of his face, a tight red line appearing on his cheek, despite the rain washing away all the evidence of the injury.

"Half an hour, maybe more," she spoke, showing herself. "The protection is up as long as these things get blown up. It's when they pass through undamaged that we should worry about."

Phillip understood the principle of the spell and nodded, patting Emma's shoulder in greeting. "You've given us more time, but this is what we have prepared for," he spoke into her ear, having brought himself closer to her. It was strange how he could fill his voice with gratitude and dismissal at the same time, Emma considered as she nodded at him. He had not meant to offend her, but to show to her that he really appreciated her idea, but that he didn't expect her to do it again, nor he would like her to – because he knew the costs of it. With his face still close to her, Emma saw him wink at her, before he stepped away, shouting orders to the men, getting them ready for the imminent breach. Apparently, there was a protocol to follow in such situations, and the Savior was glad that someone else was in charge of that.

Deciding to get out of the rain, the blonde wandered off to the stables, relieved to find that no one was there. Well, no one but the horses, and in particular one black mare that had swiveled its head out of the stall at the sound of Emma's boots on the hard ground. "Hey, girl," the blonde spoke tenderly, her hand instinctively going for the mare's forehead, scratching it lightly in affection, pleased to see that the horse was not terrified from the noise coming from the outside as other horses seemed to be. But, she noticed that as soon she had entered the enclosed space, the animals had conspicuously calmed down, the frightened neighs and wild stumping tapering off into a mellow silence, interrupted only with the crashes of the artillery. "I know I have been neglecting you," the woman continued as the black head pressed into her chest in gentle rebuke, "but, the world is just too crazy right now." It was the roll of the intelligent eyes that made the Savior chuckle at her own words, permeated by another crash coming from outside. "So, how about a brush down? Would you like that?" An approving neigh came, along with the tongue catching one of Emma's fingers. So, the Sheriff lit several more lanterns, placing them around the space in front of Shadow's stall and led the horse out, needing more room to maneuver. Usually, the riders would catch the reins onto the hooks provided for such things, as there was always the chance that the horse could be spooked and bolt out of the stable, no matter how trained it was, but Emma had never done that to her friend, for she did consider the noble steed her friend, and their bond was formed on complete trust in each other. Taking off her cloak, and the belt that held her sword and long knife, she grabbed one of the brushes and started slowly, all the while she talked softly about her day, getting appropriate responses to her comments every time. "You know, I think Regina will adore you," the Savior said as she was finished. "She is the one who taught me about horses," she added with melancholy, thinking about her beloved, absently passing through the coat of shiny black hair on the steed's shoulders. Suddenly, Shadow placed its head over Emma's shoulder, initiating something that the Sheriff could only call a hug, as the large head twisted, pushing her body into the warm neck. The blonde let a soft chuckle as she circled the strong neck, letting her head rest onto the black mane, her fingers twirling into the freshly brushed hair. "Thank you," Emma murmured into the soft flesh, sighing when only a gentle snort was her answer.

It didn't take long after that to get lost in the demands of the siege. The magical shield had collapsed by the evening, but by some luck the enemy seemed to be running out on the ammunition for the trebuchets, aiming solely for the gate before finally stopping the air assault, only managing to crack the sturdy wood. The defenders, obviously prepared, were already on fixing it, hammering away at the reinforcing materials. Archers lined the front walls, ready for the enemy's advance, buoyed by Phillip's heartfelt speech of protecting their families. However, the rain never stopped falling, making the already poor visibility in the darkness much worse.

Bolts and arrows were exchanged throughout the night, most of them missing their targets, but every now and then a sharp cry of pain could be heard over the sound of torrent. The soldiers of the keep had very short shifts, in order to avoid lethargy caused by the frigid weather, standing by the fires in the great hall, grabbing a nap while they were there, under the dutiful eyes of their leaders. Emma watched the Royals split their duties, Phillip dealing with everything outside the inner walls of the castle, assuming control over the defense, guiding the soldiers, while Aurora was commanding the villagers, providing support in the form of meals, fresh clothes, helpers in the infirmary, even getting some of them to provide the fletcher duties. They worked seamlessly together, with no apparent need to communicate with each other. But, when the Savior saw Phillip place his hand on Aurora's belly in a loving manner, when the Princess had called him inside to eat, the blonde smiled at the warm picture they provided, slightly envious of them together.

Somewhat at the loss, as her particular skills were not needed, Emma wandered off to the infirmary, thinking that at least there she could do something to occupy herself. And, under Belle's strict orders not to use magic, as it was needed in the confrontation with the Witch, the Savior spent the night providing comfort to the wounded, giving the injured soldiers words of encouragement and appreciation, while dressing their wounds, more often than not relieved when Belle would direct her to ones that were already asleep, under the soothing effects of pain relieving drinks. The Sheriff had laughed out loud when she had realized that the caretakers in the infirmary had been using the prized spirits of the Charming's larders to wash and disinfect the wounds, as well as knock the louder injured men out into sleep.

In the breaks, the sorceress would lean against the wall and share a cup of tea with her kind friend, listening to the woman recall about the last Ogres War, the tales spoken in soft and melancholic voice, portraying the sorrow over the loss of her mother, the hope as Rumple had been summoned, the fear as the demand of her price had been asked… The brunette would weave her story so enchantingly, pulling Emma out of reality for those moments, and the Sheriff guessed from the watchful gaze constantly resting on her face, that the kind knowledge seeker was determined to take care of her, as well, by giving her a respite from the present, however short and elusive.

"And, so another morn comes," Belle said absently, sipping from her cup as she leaned against the wall right beside the entrance door, her eyes sweeping over the infirmary casted in the muted glow of half doused lanterns. It would be dawn quite soon, and she knew it would bring the change in the situation. Most likely, Midas would initiate a full out attack, bringing the battering ram into the play. She glanced toward the Savior and smiled as she watched the blonde meticulously check everything on herself, from the seam on her pants, to the lines of her tunic and the clasps of her cloak, along with her weapons. In the past several days, the Savior had stopped carrying much of her arsenal, often placing the intricately detailed sword at her hip, instead the back. The firearm was gone, as well. Now, in front of her, stood a proud warrior of noble blood, elegant and sleek, with power and peril shining through the gleam of authority, tempered with mercy. And, it did not matter whether she was the White Knight, or the Black Knight – she was the Savior with every tenet of her being, even at the detriment of Emma.

When the Sheriff hummed in response distractedly, trying to push her wavy locks off her face, Belle pushed away from the wall and guided the woman to a nearby chair. Gathering the silky strands of Emma's forehead, the brunette started twining them into two braids, tying them in the back, the rest of the hair flowing down to the back unrestrained. "There," Belle said, patting Emma's shoulders. "Yule is tomorrow," she added when she had the Savior's attention, now completely prepared for most of the things.

"Yes, Rumple already told me," the blonde answered, still sitting on the stool as she regarded the woman curiously. "It is a big thing here, right?" Belle only smiled sadly in response. She was about to suggest a kind of ceremony for the celebration, of course moderated to suit the times, but before she could speak, the doors creaked open, and one of the village boys rushed inside in panic, his head swiveling around in search of something.

When his eyes fell on the women he huffed out a breath of relief before coming to Emma, his darting looks catching the librarian as well. "Savior, the Prince… The Gate…" he tried to speak, but the heaving from the no doubt mad dash was preventing him, however, Emma understood the gist, instantly taken into the flurry of motion, not even sparing a glance when Belle grabbed her arm to follow, and appeared in the courtyard, right beside the front gate.

"Up here," Phillip called out as soon as the magic swirls dissipated, and with no delay the women climbed to the parapet, joining Phillip and others at the watch post. Ushering her companion ahead of her to stand beside her chosen, the Savior looked at the side where all the worried glances were pointed. Although it was still dark, the dawn was rising and as the rain had stopped sometime during the night, the air was quite clear, though cold.

"The Witch is there," Mulan spoke as she offered the spyglass to the blonde, "talking with Midas, I think."

"We've got bigger problems," Ruby said as she placed her hand on Emma's shoulder, directing her look to the forest, right in the middle of the distance between the two Empire camps and Midas's people. With the help of the spyglass, the Sheriff could see the motion though the woods, but she couldn't quite discern what it was, until the moving file stepped into the small clearing amongst the trees.

It was an army.

Emma silently returned the device to the warrior beside her and, her face turning stony, she stepped away from the wall, jumping down to the courtyard, not even bothering to waste time with the stairs, leaving others to stare after her in confusion, while Red followed. Mulan instantly took a look at what had upset her friend and gasped when her eyes finally saw what was coming.

It was an army. An army made of Trolls, some Ogres and simians, all armed and all marching toward the Castle. And, their numbers were huge, counting in thousands. It would take them less than an hour to get to the gates of the keep. Mulan assumed several hours after that, unless a miracle happened, they would all be dead.

Ruby followed the Sheriff into a small sequestered room beside the black smith's fires, hearing the blonde order the two men dozing off out in a growl. The second she passed through the door she felt a wave of magic locking the place up. The door behind sealed shut, and the shifter had an idea that no sound would leave that room, no matter how loud it would get. Her attention turned to the Savior, she saw Emma kick the chair in a helpless wave of rage, breaking it to bits as she stomped all the parts out. Then she turned to Ruby, as if to say something but changed her mind and growling again, she repeated the process with the remaining chair. The Wolf did nothing, letting the Sheriff calm down on her own, knowing that it was better to let Emma have at it in there than have her explode in public view of all the villagers who depended on her to survive.

"Fucking unbelievable," the blonde grunted as she added another kick into the rubble. "Seriously?! Trolls!" Placing her palms on the table she dropped her head down, sighing. "Of all the things…" she mumbled, before turning around and leaning against the table, rubbing her face.

"You didn't know. Hell, no one did." Ruby sat beside her friend, not knowing what to do.

"That's just it," Emma spoke tiredly, as she looked at the destroyed furniture in front of her. "I was told that this wasn't the war of Men, and I forgot." Shaking her head at her own arrogance, the blonde continued speaking. "I never considered them to be a threat. I mean, not really. I was focused on the armies of people she dangled in front of me, that I completely missed the underdog. Damn it."

"What are you going to do?" The Wolf ground her teeth the second she spoke the question. Once more, it all rested on Emma's shoulders, and there was little she could do to help. "What do you need me to do?" she asked instead.

The Savior had heard the first question and the subsequent change, and smiling with kindness at her friend, she placed her hands onto the warm skin of Ruby's neck, drawing their foreheads together, the way she saw Red do it with Snow once before. It was a greeting, a good bye, a blessing and a promise, all rolled into one, and seeing the understanding shine under the veil of tears in the dark blue eyes connected with hers, Emma blinked with a sigh. "You know the passage way in the cellars?" After the brisk nod, the blonde added. "The second the things go south, you need to take people out." Still having a firm grip on the girl, the Sheriff continued quickly. "Belle knows about it too, but she might decide to stay till the end, in hope…" She couldn't finish the sentence, swallowing hard. "I need you to get them out."

"You want us to run?" the hero of the wars against the Evil Queen asked in harsh whisper of outrage, but Emma implored with her eyes, speaking only five words, but with such power behind them that the tears Ruby was fighting against were flowing freely.

"I want you to live."

"There has to be another way," Ruby spoke after a moment, brushing away her tears, but the slump in Emma's shoulders spoke otherwise.

"That is my line." She then shook her head, seemingly settled and calm. "There is another way." Before Ruby could feel the burgeoning hope, the Savior smashed it down with the grim words she spoke, the cold way she delivered them making the Wolf shiver. "It will kill anything within leagues of me, and by anything I do mean everything." The once green eyes were now gray and cold and determined. "So, perhaps not?" she added sarcastically, ending the enchantment on the room and wrenching the door open. But, before leaving, she caught Ruby's eyes. "There is always hope," she spoke in whisper and left bewildered woman behind her.

She did not waste any time, but summoning Damian and other lieutenants along with Phillip and Liam, the Savior started giving out orders, changing the strategies and devising plans more suitable for the new enemies. The men did not wait, but followed her words to the letter, leaving her to her business. There was another thing to do, she knew, but despite her desire to talk to him in person, she could not afford to leave the people of Safe Haven, not even for a moment to talk to Cheng, so she was forced to use her contact spells.

Standing on the parapet right above the gate, Emma leaned against the wall, waiting for the voice of the commander of the Imperial Guard to fill her ears. There was no doubt that he didn't already know what was happening, and not having heard from him yet was a cause of concern. But, then he answered.

"I apologize, your Grace, I was about to call you," Cheng spoke, out of breath, and Emma could hear him walking away from the noise, which she belatedly realized was swords clashing. "Seems, we have a bit of a problem," he said with a grunt, his sardonic words followed by a gurgle of someone dying.

"You don't say," she responded in kind, her eyes focused on the edge of the forest, where the enemies would come out any minute now. "Some very interesting creatures are about to knock on my door and they've brought company. A lot of it."

"I know, we are dealing with the stragglers here." Then, the commander sighed heavily. "I'll try to get to you as fast as I can, but these damn flying things are making it extremely difficult. They have the advantage in the woods."

"Don't waste the lives of your men," Emma had to say, despite knowing his answer, the words ringing out in her head mere seconds before he had actually spoken them.

"They are your men, too and they have sworn the oaths." Then, the leader of the Imperial forces on her side chuckled at something on his side. "These scums seem to know you; they cringe at the sight of Swan on the men's armors." Then the battle seemed to get louder and Emma could barely discern his voice anymore. "We will come, Savior. See you on the other side."

Knowing that there was nothing left to say, she broke the connection with unexpected lightness filling her after the conversation. As she had told Red, there was always hope. With that in mind, she picked up one of the long bows from the armory and several stacks of arrows. She waited, feeling the eyes of people on her, watching her every move, taking their cues from her behavior. They were in for a show, the Sheriff noted to herself, judging the angle of the Sun with a smile, before she took off her cloak, throwing it carelessly over the torch holder. Affixing the quiver to her leg, to make the draw easy for her, she took a deep breath, presenting a calm front – while in her mind she was rebuking herself for the idiocy of her idea. With an effortless jump, she climbed onto the ledge, motioning to one of the soldiers to add her arrows, as she placed herself in the position, the bow in her left hand.

The Sheriff was standing above the gate of the keep, her blonde hair shining in the light of the Sun fluttered in the breeze and her black leather tunic shone giving the woman ethereal appearance - and she seemed to guard the very walls she had raised from the ground. There was the protector, the Knight, they had followed so far and she had kept them safe. There was the woman who had promised to fight for them. There was the Savior, in all her grace, staring down her enemies – unyielding and powerful.

It was a mere stunt, something to give hope to the people, to force them to fight despite the overwhelming odds, but it did not mean that Emma was there just for the inspirational purposes. No, she notched the arrow, pulling it up to her ear and released it. And, when it found its mark, bringing the first Ogre to leave the safety of the forest down onto his comrades, a wave of excitement passed through the soldiers beside her, the word of her hit already spreading on. Once again, she aimed, and released, claiming another kill shot. The roar of outrage from the trolls told her that she was recognized, and it was the moment she had been waiting for.

"This can end here," she said, her voice spreading through the valley, reaching both armies facing the castle. "There is no need for death. Leave, and I'll let you be." She hoped she would be able to convince at least some of them to turn away. "I have the knowledge of the Dark One and the blessing of the Light Magic. Is what she promised you worth your lives? And, do you think she will honor her deal?"

Her answer was arrows angrily shot at her from Midas's men, and shrieking coming from the monkeys flying above them. Emma closed her eyes and nodded in resigned acceptance. Offer had been given and now only death remained to be dealt. Then, something unimaginable happened, surprising the Savior, and yet not so much. The Ogres, those giant brutes who once had been terror in these lands, after short deliberation among themselves carried out in grunts and growls, roared mightily toward the castle, one of them raising his hand in a form of salute to the woman standing on top of the wall, before slinking away into the forest, abandoning the attacking army as one.

The blonde smirked, leaning onto the bow, her poise of nonchalance visible from a far. But, she knew there would be a retribution for such daring move. Zelena and Midas were too volatile to just let this one go. "Prepare for the simian attack," she spoke quietly to the soldiers behind her, not moving or turning from her stand. "Everyone not manning the walls to go inside."

"Yes, Savior," she heard from behind her, followed by a thump of metal against metal before the man hurried to spread the word.

"Why did they turn away?"

Emma smiled at the light interest her friend placed in the question, using it more to tell the blonde that there was someone behind her rather than she was interested in knowing what motivated the creatures she had fought against several times to leave the battle. The Sheriff threw a look over her shoulder and with caring scrutiny, guided her eyes to take every detail of the warrior into account, as she had failed to do so earlier in the morning, too rattled by the news. Mulan seemed well rested and properly healed from the ordeal. Dressed in her armor, with the new sword at her hip, the warrior stood ready.

"They remember the time they stood against the powers of the Dark One." Watching and waiting for the imminent confrontation, Emma frowned, considering the situation. "I guess their fear of annihilation was greater than their hatred of humans." And, Emma thought, when this was over, and if I survive, perhaps I should include them into the peace treaties, as well.

"They're not under the Witch's control?" Mulan asked, climbing up to stand next to the blonde, all the looking up giving her uncomfortable twinge in her neck.

"Not magically, no," Emma answered, catching the woman's elbow in effort to help her stand up on the narrow surface. "Nor are the Trolls. They have been incited to fight us purely because they hate the human kind and they want some kind of retribution, I think." Frowning in question, Mulan did not speak, but waited for the Sheriff to continue, her eyes glued to the pale face seeming almost translucent in the morning light. She was aware of the hold still resting above her elbow, the light grip of the gloved hand, unobtrusive but offering safety, just in case. The Empire woman had her suspicions that Emma was not even aware of her actions, that her mind was too preoccupied with other things. Her musings were cut short by the blonde's soft voice, almost unheard in the cold breeze around them. "After being despised and sneered at for so long, wouldn't you want to be part of bringing your enemy down?"

"You don't think they have the right to do this, do you?" the warrior whispered, coming closer to the Savior, not wanting to be heard questioning the woman by the soldiers.

"No," the Savior spoke slowly, sadness and anger present in the flatness of her voice. "No one has the right to do this. But, I cannot help but wonder if this all could have been stopped if only people didn't have such black and white views of the world around them. If they didn't categorize everything they didn't know or understand as bad. As I stand here and think about everything I have learned in these past two months, or even past month alone, I realize that perhaps I am on the wrong side."

"What?" That was something Mulan never expected to leave Emma's mouth. To actually consider that…

"I know what are you thinking and you are wrong," the blonde spoke calmly, the outrage and disbelief on Mulan's usually stoic face told her enough. "Put your mind at ease. I would never join those two. This isn't just about us fighting Midas and Zelena, Mulan. This fight is about so much more, and most of you do not even realize it, too much wrapped up in the obvious enemies." With a heartfelt sigh, the Savior looked at the warrior, her eyes shining with ageless wisdom Mulan had only seen in sorcerers who had lived for many lifetimes – that made the pale green orbs look like they were seeing two worlds at the same time, the one everyone else saw and something different, making Emma's gaze both piercingly sharp and distant at the same time. "The Enchanted Forest is a land of many creatures, most of them carrying some form of magic, and yet, you take into account only the cost of human lives. The Enchanted Forest is the land of magic, and yet people seek to extinguish it. Most nations of this world hate humans and for the right reasons, too."

"You are human, just like us," the warrior added with some confusion, grasping the point of Emma's speech.

"I am not," the Savior chuckled grimly, shaking her head. "I am not even a sorceress." Indulging the incredulous look on Mulan's face, Emma nodded. "I may be borne of humans, and look like one, but I am pure magic, in class with the unicorns and fairies."

If not for the grip on Mulan's arm, the warrior would have toppled over the wall in shock over the blonde's words. The warrior clasped at the arm that saved her from certain death of the fall, looking into the eyes of her friend, seeing the stranger in them. And, the way they filled with acceptance and sorrow told Mulan that Emma had expected such reaction and accepted it as inevitable. And, yet, the Savior spoke the truth, even though she had known that it would alienate her from others. But, then, Mulan sighed, cursing herself for her reaction and for causing pain, however unintentional. The woman in front of her was her friend, no matter who or what she was. Human or not, Emma had been nothing but a good friend and leader to her, and now, the warrior was repaying it poorly. So, she went to remedy that immediately. As one hand was already on Emma's forearm, Mulan grabbed the other, still holding the bow and turned the Savior to face her fully.

With determination and rare show of affection, the woman of the Empire grabbed the shoulders of the Sheriff and leaned it, leaving only several inches between their faces. "You may be the Imperial Dragon himself, but you are still my friend. You are still the person I would follow to the very end. You are still the same woman who has earned my respect, my loyalty, and my care." It was the desperate grip on Emma's shoulders and the pleading look of the almond shaped eyes shining with sincerity that spoke to the blonde of earnestness of Mulan's words. She placed her palm onto one of the warrior's, squeezing it lightly in response, not turning away from the eyes that still beseeched her to forgive. Not speaking, for her throat was tight, the blonde nodded sharply. In need to change the charged tension between them, Mulan asked the first question that came to her mind. "Does Red know?"

Emma cleared her throat, grateful for the distraction. "Her wolf senses it; it knows I am something more powerful and it sees me as an ultimate alpha. All the Wolves do, when they are changed. But, as people, they think of me as a very strong sorceress." It was then Emma saw the shapes rise from Midas's camp, and sighed. "At least I got to finish the conversation this time," she mumbled to herself, making Mulan chuckle as she had heard the comment. "Get ready!" the Savior spoke clearly, before turning to her friend. "Make sure there are no surprises on other sides. And, watch out for the ground forces using the distraction." Mulan nodded and with a strong pat over Emma's shoulder, she jumped down onto the parapet, already spouting orders to Phillip's men.

For two hours, the soldiers of Save Haven were shooting down the flying beasts as well as the Trolls advancing over the bridge toward the gate, carrying an oddly shaped battering ram. Despite all the effort of the defenders, the ram was brought to the wood of the gate, and where one Troll manning it fell, two more appeared. The very air was filled with shouts, screams, flutters of many wings and shrieks of the arrows and javelins, interwoven with the loud slams at the door.

Fire, Emma thought as she released arrow after arrow. She needed fire for the ram, and not just ordinary fire. The flaming arrows did nothing the regular ones didn't do, as armor and the shields around the device were under some kind of torch-resistant spell impervious even to the fire orbs she had lobbed at it, so after several batches of lit bolts the soldiers went back to using normal shafts, as they were easier to aim and with greater reach. As she saw the familiar face of the soldier close to her, the plan formed in her mind. "Gareth?" she called to him, never pausing in releasing the bolts. "In my sleeping quarters there is a backpack beside the door. Inside is a velvet pouch with potions inside. Bring it to me as fast as you can." The soldier heeded her words instantly, rushing down the stairs and into the castle with the speed of a runner, despite the armor on him. As soon as she had sent him away, she started the next part of her plan, using her magic to access the gift of fire she had been bestowed, guiding into shapes and forms she desired. It was a hard piece of enchantment, needing a complete focus, so she could not waste much time on finessing it out, as she could be interrupted at any second.

"Empty the wall!" she shouted, giving her men the warning before releasing the spell. Out of thin air a large wall of fire appeared, going high into the skies, catching several simians by surprise, the immense heat causing the soldiers to flee into the courtyard, looking up in awe. Emma stood in her place, her hands in front of her, palms to the front, unbothered by the scorching temperatures, breathing heavily as she fought to maintain the spell for a bit more. Then, she pushed it, forcing the fiery membrane to move outward in one swoop, burning everything to crisp on its way before it vanished, twenty yards farther, not even clearing the bridge, but managing to destroy the ram.

In the muted hush following the aftermath of the magical sweep, the Savior dropped her hands onto the still heated stone and flagging down a bit, she took a moment to recover, her eyes skimming over the destruction her spell had wrought. The charred remains of many littered the space in front of the wooden door which stood undamaged thanks to Emma's fast thinking, and created a revolting picture, one that apparently forced the Trolls into retreat.

The sharp shout of "Man the walls, you bloody fools!" startled her from staring into the blackened forms below her, and right on time it seemed as she moved out of the way of volley of arrows aimed at her. However, she was not fast enough, two of them grazing her before she slid down. "Savior?" Gareth spoke in fear, rushing to her and sliding on his knees in his hurry to get to her, his arms immediately going to her elbow to pull her into the seating position. His eyes were focused onto the bleeding nick on her cheek and the shaft stuck to her side, wide in terror, not knowing what to do.

"Give me the pouch," Emma spoke clearly as she ripped the arrow out of her clothes and mending the leather immediately, the light pull on her magic negligible. Honestly, she was more stunned by the effects of the fire than by the cost of the magic she had used, but it wouldn't hurt to have the potions ready at hand, especially if she needed to do this more often. "See, no blood," the blonde showed the arrow tip to the trembling soldier before she straightened out and threw the shaft away in disgust. Tying the pouch to her belt she crouched, and glanced toward the still wide eyed soldier. "I am fine, Gareth," she insisted but he pointed toward her cheek with a finger, making her smirk. "Just a scratch," she added, healing it immediately.

"It takes much more than an arrow to kill our Knight, doesn't it?" came the slightly rebuking voice, addressing the soldier, but Emma knew that the reprimand in it was solely for her sake. "Go on, lad. You have better things to do." Rumplestiltskin's no nonsense tone chased the young soldier into action, joining the others. The second Gareth left them alone, Rumple turned his look to Emma, worry and disapproval clear in his eyes as he stared down at her, leaning onto his cane.

"Yes, I know, I shouldn't have done it," Emma grumbled petulantly as she rose to her feet, dusting off her hands, her voice taking on a more mordant edge. "She is going to retaliate, and we will be cursed for all eternity and beyond."

"Are you finished?" he asked evenly, as he watched her adjust her belt. With nothing to add, Emma only waved her hand at him and he leaned slightly toward her, his eyes catching hers. "Now, despite the childish behavior you sometimes display, you are a grown woman quite capable of making her own choices and decisions. And, so far your instincts have been superb in guiding you through this adventure, thusly I am not going to say anything about it."

"Thusly?"

He ignored her interjection of confusion over his word choice and continued. "However, I've come here to see if you were alright, as it was an extremely potent piece of work, unlike any I have ever seen aside the Yaoguai."

"I am fine," Emma spoke after a moment, touched by his obvious concern. "Really, it wasn't that hard…"

Stymied by her apparent might, the former Dark One watched the blonde with cautious awe, understanding that, yes, that incredible feat was not much of work out for the Savior, so powerful the woman had become in these months she had been on her quest. "Belle told me of the tunnel," he said after a moment of silence spent in regard of the magnificent woman before him.

"I assumed she would," Emma replied calmly, her senses alert and magic at the ready, instincts telling her that the next wave was coming.

"I know this was just a precaution, but she told me that she could feel your doubt about winning this," he spoke again, trying to get her opinion on the matter.

"I don't know what she took from the Vault, Rumple. One of those things could be used for mass destruction." The Savior's eyes darted toward him showing her uncertainty, before going back to watching the enemies. Then she frowned, her eyes focused on something in the distance. "Like that one," she spoke grimly, pointing toward a crimson red mist crawling over the valley, crackling with maliciousness. Emma could feel that it was something deadly and unstoppable. At least unstoppable by ordinary means. "She isn't pulling any punches, is she?" Emma murmured softly, before she jumped back on the railing of the wall, her hands already glowing with energy she commanded. "Do you know what it is?" she asked her mentor, forcing the shield in place, gasping at the uncomfortable feel of the foreign magic pressing against her own.

"No," Rumple said, bewildered. "Can you hold it?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"I don't know. It isn't much of a drain, but I have to keep reinforcing it." She looked at him with stark realization. "This is a distraction, meant for me – to keep me occupied."

It seemed that the former Dark One had reached the same conclusion, already moving away, his cold tenor shouting warnings and alerting the soldiers to look for another points of attack. After the rush of heavy feet that suggested the reinforced walls on the other sides, Rumple came to Emma once more. "How many potions do you have?"

"Two, not more."

"Alright," he sighed heavily before he started toward the stairs. "You'll need food and water soon. It is lunch time, anyways."

Emma nodded, not even caring that the man could not see her response as he was already on his way to the inner halls of the castle. Getting as comfortable as she could, she lowered herself into a cross legged seat, her hands resting on her knees with the palms turned upwards, conserving as much energy as she could, knowing that her muscles would be the first to complain if she had remained standing with her arms outstretched in front of her. She could keep the shield up, no matter how she was postured, as long her mind was on it, and at least one hand directed at it, to help her focus the output. Theoretically, she didn't even need the hand guidance, as her magic could be guided by feelings and thoughts alone, but she didn't want to risk in case of wandering thoughts or something else. Relatively safe from other dangers, she could also defend herself against any arrows or simians with her magic, not stopping the reinforcement of the shield.

The Savior focused onto the red painting the air, delving into its depths with her mind, trying to find a way to destroy it, dismantle it from within, just as she had done with the various spells before. As she could taste it, thanks to her augmented magical senses, she grimaced at the acidic bitterness coming from it. Unlike the Dark creating thing, this one did not have consciousness of its own, it's only purpose to kill. It was rather tame spell, Emma regarded to herself, considering what she had been facing before, but it wasn't simple or easy to reverse. If Rumple didn't know what it was, it meant that the curse was old, predating the legends the Dark One might have been familiar with. As she could not make heads and tails of it, it seemed that her only option was to keep the shield up until the hex fizzled out, consumed by itself into nothingness.

Spending long minutes that slowly stretched into an hour keeping the curse at bay, the Savior expanded her senses further, using her already achieved calmness of her thoughts to see what was happening on the other sides of the castle. From tactical point of view, there was only one other point of possible breach, where the side door were located, the very door the Wolves had used to leave the compound in their Moon related runs. Other sides were not plausible as they were cut off by either water of cliffs. And, as she surmised, the Trolls and some of Midas's men were about to launch into another attempt of storming the castle, but the villagers were ready for them. Not only them, Emma sensed with a smile stretching her mouth, feeling the presence of armors she had conjured for the Imperial Army.

"What is it?" Rumple spoke with barely hidden interest as he saw her wide grin, placing a plate filled with meat and bread, and a wineskin beside it, frowning when he saw an empty vial resting beside her. He had been away for a long time, he surmised, deciding not to comment on it.

"Li is here," she answered simply, her statement followed by the exultant shouts coming from the other part of the wall. Emma grabbed the wineskin taking a large sip of the liquid before she chocked, sputtering it beside her as she pulled a face at the strange taste coating her buds. "What the hell is this?"

"Warm water with honey and some spices. It is as close to electrolytic drinks as it gets around here, dearie, so I suggest you drink up."

With all her distaste placed in her pouting scowl, she took another try at the drink, this time swallowing several times before pushing the skin away. "Bleh, this is ridiculous…" she complained with a shudder. But before she could reach for the meat she froze, something triggering her magical senses.

"Now, now, I know it could taste better, Miss Swan, but that is not the reason to make such production over it," Rumple commented on her face, misconstruing her frown.

Raising her free hand, Emma shushed the old man, her eyes searching for the reason she was feeling off. Something was coming. It was a familiar feel, but she could not place it from where she knew it. Like a vibration rippling through space, sending waves of barely present energy. And, it was coming from the sea. Then, she remembered. The magic of the portal! Emma jumped off her seat, crossing the length of the wall toward the seaside of the castle, her eyes pinned to high seas, not daring to believe that it was finally happening. The ripples were growing stronger, and now she could see the familiar green tendrils of the bean portal creating quarter a mile off the shore.

"She is coming," Emma gasped with elation, the relief suffusing her. "The portal is opening."

"Perfect timing," Rumple added with a smile.

With care to keep some of her attention on the shield, Emma watched the portal creating, the green electrical charges focusing into one point, discharging at greater speeds until enough energy was formed to open the fissure in space. It was a wonder to see such a thing through her newly developed magical senses. However, just as the portal opened, over the water, a large stream of magic hit it from the shore, causing it to flicker strangely, before it started to collapse.

The second Emma saw the green travel through air, she screamed in outrage and fear, her body already reacting to the danger, but she was too late to stop Zelena's disruptive blast. Immediately redirecting her energy into the flickering storm of light, Emma fought to stabilize the magical passage, her intervention slowing its breakdown, but she knew that she needed to do more or everything would be lost. "I need better spot," she rushed with a tinge of panic gripping her, her eyes searching the shore, straightaway finding a small outcropping cliff, not far away from the castle. But, it was right smack in the middle of Midas's military camp, or what was left of it, as more than a half of men were involved with the Empire soldiers on the other side of the castle.

"Liam!" she shouted, her edginess obvious as she kept feeding her magic to those two points, the fear fueling her. As soon as the chief werewolf came to her, with sword in his hands, she told him to gather his people as they were coming with her. With no additional questions, the shifter only whistled loudly, the shrill sound reverberating off the walls of the fortress, and within seconds the whole pack was gathered beneath the wall.

"Take me with you!" Rumple shouted in vain as the vapors of Emma's magic whisked the group away. Not wasting time on throwing a tantrum, he rushed toward the stables, grabbing one of the women that were on fletcher's duty by the arm. "Go to the infirmary and tell Belle that I said it was time!" He squeezed the arm he gripped strongly, but not harshly enough to bruise, portraying his seriousness. "Do you understand? It's time!" The woman nodded in terror and he sent her off, before he limped into the stable, directing himself toward the last stall where the Savior's horse was. "I need you to take me to Emma," he spoke imploringly to Shadow, opening the stall to let her out. "Please," he added when she only watched him without reaction. It was the fear and need in his voice that sprung the steed into action. Glancing at the cane, the horse lowered herself allowing Rumplestiltskin to mount her, before rising up and strutting out of the enclosed space of the stable. When they reached the courtyard, Rumple waved to the men stationed at the Gate. "Open!" he ordered, suffusing his voice with every bit of authority he could manage, hoping it would be enough to get him out. And it was, the large door were moved just enough to let Shadow pass, instantly closing up the second they were out. Placing the edge of his lapel over his nose against the pervasive stench of the burned corpses and cinders, he guided the mare over the bridge before surrendering to the horse's will, knowing it would know the best way to cross the land without encountering the red mist, Rumple grabbed the mane in effort to keep himself astride of the fast beast.

"Keep them off me," Emma ordered clearly the second they appeared on the cropping, her mind already focused on her spell weaving. From this position she could see both the mist and the portal clearly, and it did help her with funneling her power, but the portal was still failing, albeit at slower rate than before.

"Silly Savior," Zelena's taunting voice filled the area. "You can't save them all, now, can you?" The Witch cackled with glee as she added, "You can only die trying." It was the impossible choice she had posed before the Savior – whom she lets to die and whom she saves? But, it did not matter as no creature held enough power to re-stabilize the fissure, or destroy the red death, certainly not to manage both. The Witch did not need to destroy the Savior personally - gods knew such endeavor would only end badly for her, but the Savior was going to do it for her in the end. Wracked by guilt over the deaths she had failed to stop… Or die from overusing her magic in attempt to save others… Zelena chuckled again, relishing in the misery she had inflicted on the blonde pest hindering her plans.

---

"What is going on?"

Phillip caught up with his friend, thoroughly confused by the commotion at the gate. After the strident whistle, he realized people in the line disappeared, gone off to the other side of the castle, apparently summoned. He hurried toward it, looking to investigate, as it seemed that the commander of the Imperial forces had the situation in hand along with the Black lieutenant, and arrived just to see Rumplestiltskin ride out of the gate. Before he could dress down the soldiers for opening the door during the attack he saw Mulan running at the wall, her spyglass already assembled, and spared no time to join her.

The warrior did not speak, her face portraying the grimness of the situation – even though it seemed they were winning for the moment. She was about to speak, but she saw the princess running toward them, no longer wearing her usual dresses, but in one of Phillip's riding leggings and shirt, with her short jacket over it, her stride fast, and waited for the woman to reach them before continuing. Acknowledging Aurora with a look, Mulan pointed toward the sea, where something similar to a cyclone was forming, green in color, streaked with blue and white, the loud rumbling noise coming off of it, and then to the Savior, standing on the cliff at the shore with her hands glowing, obviously directing her magic, while surrounded by the shifters, half of them turned, as they were fighting off the soldiers advancing on them – protecting the woman behind them.

"She is forced to choose," Mulan said, having heard the spiteful words spoken by the Witch, before she turned to her friends. "But, she won't."

"What do you mean?" Aurora asked, not understanding what it was about as she had spent the entire day inside, getting only spotty reports about the events.

"She is protecting us from that red thing, and she is trying to save the ones in the portal at the same time," Phillip spoke as he gathered the seriousness. "The Queen," he added heavily, thinking Emma's choice was clear.

"No," Mulan disagreed sadly, and at first the Prince thought she was denying the identity of the person arriving through the portal, but then Aurora grabbed the warrior's forearm in stark realization. It was the horrified gasp that clued him in.

"But, she is her True Love!"

"Would you be able to stand before me and tell me that in order for me to live, you had to sacrifice the lives of all our friends and the entire kingdom, leaving them to certain death?" Aurora countered vehemently as her eyes filled with tears. "Or could you walk through life knowing that the choice you made, no matter the good cause, killed your True Love?" The princess looked toward the blonde woman in the distance, her heart going out to the woman who had given them more than anyone ever did, and now she was going to offer her own life, once more, for them. "She is not going to choose, and it will kill her." But, then she remembered why she had run out to find them and suddenly she felt not so hopeless anymore. "Belle and Red are evacuating the castle through the cellars," she said urgently, grabbing the hands of the dearest people in her life.

"What?" Phillip started in surprise, before shaking it off, not even going to complain about the chain of command – as Belle was surely operating on Emma's behalf, the Savior once more providing them an escape. "So we can leave? And, she can drop the shield?" he demanded, already directing the soldiers of that side of the castle to gather everyone to the cellars. At receiving confirming nod from his beloved he jumped right on it, informing the others in charge of defense of the situation. "I need you to get to Cheng and warn him," he told Mulan, gripping her forearm in goodbye, before directing Aurora to help with the evacuation. "All that is left, is to inform Emma," he murmured to himself, looking for a suitably long shaft for what he had in mind. Finding what he needed, he went up to the wall above the gate, sending away the remaining soldiers, even after they tried to stay with him as protection. He was a man on the mission, he smirked to himself, for the first time the whole day actually feeling useful.

---

The steed galloped through the woods, making a large circle around the barrier created of Emma's magic and the mysterious curse, its gait eating distance as if it was nothing. Whenever he was brave enough to look, Rumple could see nothing but the blurs passing him by, only knowing they were trees by the colors and nothing else. Any other time, he would have been delighted with the opportunity to ride one of the Camelot's finest, but the only thing on his mind at the moment was his need to get to Emma in time. He knew that if he took time to think, to consider something else, he would be overwhelmed by his fear for Belle, for her safety, and he could not allow that – not when there was something bigger at stake. It was his chance to prove himself not to be a coward and do something selfless for a change.

He applauded in his mind the intelligence of his ride, becoming aware that the black mare had brought him to her mistress, completely avoiding not only the curse, but the enemy's forces, getting him right to the Wolves. For some reason, Midas and Zelena did nothing but watch as he rode by, apparently too immersed in the Savior's suffering struggle, Rumple considered, as the horse came up toward the pack. Even those who were in wolf forms recognized Shadow and parted for her, letting her come closer to the Sheriff. With no regard to his leg, Rumple jumped off her back and with a hiss as he landed on his bad ankle, he limped to the blonde, deeply concerned with the sweat covering her face as she grinding her teeth in effort.

"Emma," he whispered, not wanting to interrupt her concentration but needing her to listen. Carefully, he slid into her view, not blocking her targets in any way, but able to see her whole face.

"What are you doing here, old man?" she pushed her reply through her teeth after a glance in his direction, before returning her gaze toward the portal, her voice too rough to notice the emotion behind it.

"You need to drop the shield," he said urgently, seeing how much it was costing her to fight on both fronts.

"No," she refused fervidly, the word sounding like an angry growl of a caged animal, as she shook her head reinforcing her answer. Even though she was losing the connection with the magical passage, she could not make that choice – not when there were so many lives at stake. She knew what it meant if the portal collapsed. She knew that no one could survive being lost in the interspace. She knew the cost of refusal to lower the shield. More than anything, she feared it, as she knew the very second the fissure closed her life would be over. Not because she would die – which was a very likely probability, but because Regina – the only reason that fissure was there in the first place – would be killed, and that… Emma couldn't even finish the thought, clenching her jaw to the point of pain.

"Emma, look," Rumple suddenly begged, pointing toward the Palace, his voice jubilant over something. She glanced in the direction he had indicated and blinked at a sight she could not explain. There was a white flag hanging off a javelin stuck in between the blocks of stone on the parapet above the gate. The gate that was now wide open with no one barring entrance.

"What the hell are they doing?" Emma screamed at the insanity she was witnessing. They did not just surrender!

"They're making the choice for you!" Rumplestiltskin answered as he reached for her, careful not to touch as he could see her skin, all of her skin, glowing with the power she possessed. "Belle took them out, just like you told her to." As her eyes found his, needing to confirm his words, needing to believe he was telling the truth, he lowered his voice, trying to get to her. "The flag is for you, Emma. They are telling you to let it go." He could see she was on the verge, her detector finding no lie in his words, only her fear of failing holding her back. "Drop the shield. Save my daughter." It was the last word that was crucial, as the reminder that Regina was not important only to her, but to him as well, that made her accept his plea. He hadn't lied, even though he would have every reason to, to save his kin. But, then, Emma considered Belle – he would never sacrifice the kind woman for the former Evil Queen, blood related or not. If he said she was out, and judging by the flag – she was, then who was she to deny them their choice.

Closing her eyes for a mere moment, she severed the connection with the protective barrier she had placed in front of the deadly mist, instantly transferring the output she had been sending to it toward the portal, the doubled power bringing noticeable difference in its stability. Rumplestiltskin sighed, as it seemed to be working.

"I can feel her magic," Emma whispered in awe, her eyes glued to the green orb forming over the water as if she could see the very woman she was talking about in it.

"It means that is getting more stable as we speak," he replied, an encouraging smile twisting his lips, as his eyes darted between the woman in front of him and the portal. He expected to see a dashingly cocky smirk on Emma's face, but instead he was greeted with a frown marring her sweat covered forehead. No, he pleaded silently, hoping she was just cautious.

"Something's wrong," she finally said in a gasp, redoubling her efforts. Blindly opening the satchel at her side, she took the last bottle of the energy restoring potion and drank it up, immediately using the new source to fuel her fight. But, it wasn't enough. "I'm losing it," her grave but panicky voice ringed out in Rumplestiltskin's ears, his heart dropping. "Damn it," she forced through her teeth, her whole body shaking with the exertion. Her eyes turned electric blue, her skin glowed white, making it difficult to look at her. He knew that if she continued she would burn herself up with her own power, but he also knew that no power on earth would be able to make her to stop. So, he watched, tears filling his eyes, knowing he couldn't help, either way. He watched as the drops of sweat turned pink, leaving trails on the parchment white skin. He watched as the vessels in her eyes ruptured one by one, making her cry tears. He watched helplessly, as she murmured with agony, "I need more power."

Power, her mind cried. More power. More energy. She had been so close, she just needed more. She could feel her body dying on her, but she didn't care. If she could just find something she could use… An insane idea came to her mind, as she glanced to her left, pleased to see the red fog still held up by the remnants of her barrier. This is going to kill me, she thought as she refocused, the craziness of the plan fueling her determination. "Liam," she whispered as she closed her eyes. She could feel him beside her, his Wolf uncomfortable by the amount of magic she was channeling. "Hold him," she ordered without qualms, knowing that he would acknowledge her as his alpha, especially now when she was conducting enough power to level the entire Enchanted Forest. As soon as she spoke, the chief of shifters lunged at Rumplestiltskin, catching him unaware and holding him in his ironclad grip, despite his protestations.

"Let go of me!" the old man tried to fight the Wolf off, but he was vastly overpowered, as Liam stood behind him, with one arm around the man's waste, the other around his arms and shoulders, holding him in awkward but effective hug, where he was unable to move. "Emma, what are you doing?" he shouted at the blonde, realizing that there was only one reason the Wolf would do that. And, Emma would order him to do so for one reason only. She was about to do something he would've stopped her from doing. She was about to commit suicide.

"What needs to be done," the Savior spoke with renewed determination, a strange gleam feeling her eyes apart from magic. When she pointed one of her arms toward the castle, muttering something under her breath, he watched her with confusion, not understanding what she was doing, but as he saw the mist, the red curse, surge toward them, he gasped, thinking she was going to let the mist consume them, sending it off to Midas. However, as the mist came closer, he realized his conclusion was wrong. The Sheriff was not simply waiting for it to come, she was actively chanting something that seemed a lot like transfiguration enchantment, but of the kind he had never heard of.

All the while she was guiding the power of the curse by the invocation she was using, Emma was aware of the portal losing its consistency once more, not feeling Regina's magic anymore. She was almost out of time, and fueled by her desperation, she forced the incantation to work by the power of her sheer will, succeeding in changing the curse into pure energy. It still held its deadly properties, but now Emma could use it to even out the fissure. Pulling it in her body, as it needed to pass through her so she could send it out to the opening, she cried out in pain – feeling every cell in her violently oppose the intrusion of such dark magic – but she fought against it, forcing the energy to do her bidding.

As it passed through her and into the greenish white swirl over the sea water, the power cracked through the air, slamming into the portal making it alit, and suddenly the fold in space enlarged and formed properly, almost getting to the size it needed to open and spit out its passengers, but it wasn't wide enough.

More. Emma breathed heavily, seeing only how close she was. I need more. So she dug deep within herself, using every bit of her energy, pulling her life force in it, as well. Her mind filled with loving memories of her family, knowing that it would help her to reach that True Love part of her. Please, she begged as she felt herself weakening. She was almost there.

It seemed as everything stopped to watch. Rumplestiltskin even felt the arms around him slacken as Liam was too focused on the light show. But the former Dark One had eyes only for his former student, seeing the blood seep out of her nose and ears, her cheeks long covered in bloody tears. She was dying right before him, even though it seemed that it was worth it, at least in her opinion, as the portal seemed to get its cohesion. However, he could not rejoice. One once told him that the true essence of heroism was dying so others could live, and watching Emma – he couldn't but agree.

Emma felt the portal finally open. It was a moment she felt the greatest relief possible, only one thought passing through her head – she lives. But, the respite didn't last long as the green swirl crackled ominously, drawing the attention of all nearby to it, before it collapsed onto itself, compressing into a ball of energy, getting smaller by the second.

"No," the Savior murmured helplessly, her arms falling to her side as she watched it get smaller and smaller, until it disappeared with a loud pop spreading over the water, reaching her instantly. "No," she repeated, still not believing that everything had slipped her grasp. In a time of a heartbeat, the place where portal disappeared into exploded, sending a large concussion wave of energy, wind and water in circle, reaching the cliff where Emma was in two seconds and sweeping over the people, throwing them to the ground.

The blonde dropped to her knees, her head bowed in defeat as she waited for death to take her. There was nothing left. Her body used beyond reparation, her heart torn beyond recognition, her soul already on its next roll with its bond mate – the Savior was no more. It did not matter that she was still breathing; soon her lungs would also stop.

Laughter suddenly broke the silence as Zelena strode to the cliff, nary a worry in mind. Smirking at Rumple as she passed him, she clacked her tongue at the woman staring off in the distance, still on her knees. "Well," the red head started pompously. "It looks like no good deed goes unpunished." She grabbed Emma's chin, and sneered into the Sheriff's face, empowered by the vacant look in her eyes. "It seems you need another title, Savior. You didn't save them." Zelena taunted her, sending off a pulse of magic toward Rumple as he shouted at her to stop. "How does it feel, Savior?" she continued, putting every bit of vitriol in her words. The green colored Witch scoffed at the lack of response and turned her back on the obviously lost woman. "You should have joined me, dearie, when you could," she spoke to her former teacher before walking away, getting tired of the spectacle. There was nothing left for her there… With one last parting sting, she turned to look at the now disgraced Savior and froze.

---

At first there was nothing. Then a thought appeared – but it was more like a desire, an urge, rather than the conscious idea.

Hurt them. Destroy them. Kill them. Kill them all.

And, suddenly there was nothing but the sweeping tsunami of vile hatred, fueled by the white hot edge of overpowering pain, that guided her, that led her to become this empty shell of the Savior, now only capable of destruction. And destroy she would. She made a step forward, seeing nothing but the triumphant smile on the woman's face, and it was like someone had set her on fire - the magic she had thought depleted beyond any hope surged in her, more potent than ever, coming to aid her in her desire to annihilate that green menace. She did not care that her body burned with the overuse, incapable of holding so much power. She did not care that her body was turning brilliant white, even as many welts and cuts opened, bleeding, needing to relieve the pressure the magic was building. She did not care that she seemed to suck the power out of every so inclined creature nearby, leaving them on the ground, breathless and screaming in pain, werewolves and simians alike. The only thing she saw was the victorious smirk tapering off into a stunned surprise and then, turning into burgeoning fear.

She lifted her hand, her intent of murder more than apparent as she focused on Zelena, everything else disappearing from her sight. But, before she sent the deathly blow flying something interfered, slamming into her, throwing off her aim. As a flicker of annoyance passed over her face she swatted away the insignificant soul that dared to approach her, to touch her, before she returned her attention back to the witch, catching only the tail end of green mist. She roared in outrage before she redirected herself toward another target.

Finding him surrounded by his men, she started walking in his direction, the waves of energy radiating off her causing pain to every person to come close to her, and others, quickly learning of the reason stayed away. But, her prey could not run, as she had made it so, unwilling to let him slip out of her hands. Instead, she reached for him, her hand closing around his neck, pressing hard, the frozen expression of nothingness staring into his face. He grasped at her, at her clothes, at her hair, at her skin, trying to turn her into metal, trying to free himself from her deadly grip, shouting for others to help him. But, nothing helped. No one came to his side. No one dared to step to the Savior on her path of devastation.

And, thus endeth the life of King Midas, snuffed out as if he was nothing more than a moth.

Enough, came the voice directly in her mind, piercing through the haze of her hatred and grief. This isn't where you end, it said gently, pulling her toward something she could not explain, as it offered peace. Come, child, let me help, it added kindly, with motherly affection and Emma surrendered to it, not caring anymore. She allowed her magic to be guided by this entity she had known but didn't bother to recognize. Closing her eyes, she stretched her arms wide, as her head fell backwards, face toward the sky, and feeling the tug she dematerialized in a flash of brilliant and blinding white.

---

He knelt down beside the clothes and weapons lying on the ground, uncaring that his leg was bothering him profusely and that he had several broken ribs thanks to the short flight Emma had sent him on. Reaching out, he felt the mail under the leather, and the presence of it broke his resolution not to weep, as immense sorrow filled him at the loss he had not only witnessed but shared and felt deeply. He had seen the moment when a switch had been flipped in the blonde, the despondent and lost soul turning into a revenge fueled wrath incarnate.

Emma had been so focused on Zelena, she hadn't even seen him try and stop her from killing her. No, he hadn't done it because he wanted anything with the Wicked Witch. If he could he would have killed her himself. No, he wanted to preserve Emma's purity of heart, even for a while longer, as it was clear that the blonde's body was falling apart, blood not dripping but flowing in rivers down her arms and legs, seeping into the ground with every step the Sheriff made. And, even though she had been dying from it, she had somehow managed to tap into the magic of the preternatural beings around her, siphoning it into her, leaving a trail of wreathing creatures in agony and sheer fear. He hadn't cared that the monkeys had fallen to the ground, rolling in pain as she had sucked them dry, almost to the point of death, but he had cared when she had seemed to be doing that to her friends, the wolves. Or Shadow. Using his cane, he had forced the loyal horse to run away, out of the reach of Emma's magic, and ordering Liam to follow, he had swung his cane into her back, putting his whole strength into the hit, hoping it would shake her out of her trance. But, it hadn't worked. She had stopped only for a second, not even turning into his direction and with a wave of her hand, he had been sent flying, slamming hard into the ground.

It was then when Mulan and Cheng rode in, leading the group of people from the castle, among whom was his beloved. She cried his name and jumping off the horse from behind Mulan, she run to him, helping him up, as she watched Emma's advance with terror.

Red stepped toward the Savior, knowing that she needed to snap the woman out of it before she bled out, her hands already reaching for the blonde, but a sharp shout stopped her. "Don't touch her!" Rumplestiltskin warned immediately, as he got up to his feet with Belle's help. "Magic will destroy you on the spot," he added in explanation, pointing toward the still screeching simians and the gold covered soldiers rolling in torment.

"We saw the portal collapse," Belle spoke quietly, as she helped Rumple walk, his cane lost. "We were already on the way over, when…"

They followed the bloody footprints, making sure not to come too close, but not able to stay away. They noticed that her gait was slower with each new step, that her breathing was getting more and more laborious with each new breath, and it filled their hearts with painful anguish, as they felt they were watching the last minutes of their friend, unable to help her or stop her. Unable to hold her, comfort her. They didn't even blink at the death of their enemy. But they did cry out it sorrow when she seemed to flash out of existence, exploding in light.

Rumple was first to move, stepping slowly toward the things that remained in place where the White Knight had disappeared. It seemed that everything that was material had remained while only her body was missing.

A small hand landed gently on his shoulder, as Belle knelt beside him, tucking her head into his neck on the other side, silent tears streaming down her face.

A sound of sword leaving its sheath could be heard in the somber silence that not even the animals dared to break. Cheng knelt on the other side of the pile, placing his weapon blade down and his head leaning against the guard of it, paying respect to his fallen comrade. Following his example, Mulan knelt beside him, joined by Ruby, and Phillip and Nasir finished the circle.

The first one to notice a strange rolling sound to interrupt the silent vigil was Ruby, her eyes instantly flashing toward the origin of it, looking at the sea. By the time, she moved to investigate, others heard it as well, turning toward the point. Suddenly, in a crack loud enough to make Ruby's ears ring, a ship appeared on the water, thrown to a side by the force it landed in water, seriously in danger of capsizing, before a pinkish red swirl surrounded it, pulling it upright and settling its motion.

"It's Jolly Roger," Ruby whispered in disbelief as her eyes traced the familiar shape of the boat. "But, that is…" Impossible, she was going to say, but she seriously needed to redefine the meaning of that word. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it, Emma would have quoted. As her mind reminded her of her friend, she choked on her tears, not able to stand the irony.

After the appearance of the vessel, it came as no surprise when the magic brought the former Evil Queen into their midst. It took only seconds for keen, but tired, dark eyes to grasp the situation as they skimmed over the grief contorted faces, finally landing on Rumplestiltskin, kneeling beside the familiar black uniform. "Where is she?" slipped her lips, as she made a step forward, her mind already telling her that she was not going to get the answer she would like. As she passed the man she did not know, but surmised was the commander of the Imperial Guard, she noticed the sword lying among the clothes, its scabbard still attached to the silver tipped belt. Realizing where her eyes were focused, he gently gathered the sword and lifted it up, offering it to her in silence, as a tribute of a fallen warrior.

"Regina," the brunette heard, and turned to see the familiar shifter, her face covered in tears.

"Where the hell is she," the Mayor asked sharply, gripping the sword in her hands, turning toward the man on the ground, the man she still had not acknowledged as her father, "for if you tell me she is dead, you will regret it." Closing her eyes and collecting herself, she sighed once, twice, three times, before she tried again. "She is not dead. I can still feel her."

---

A/N The next one is about Storybrooke's side of things...