Summary: The meaning behind Cora's warning revealed, sending Emma into panic when she is separated from Snow before realises they have lost the dagger.
A magic mirror hovered in the middle of the enormous foyer of the castle; one side of the wall had collapsed bringing in a chilling breeze. The mirror seemed out of place, with silver surrounding the glass, encrusted with diamonds, in the centre a clip of Regina playing on a loop. Emma stood still watching it closely her distraught expression becoming a smile as she felt hopeful again.
"Don't worry about getting back to Storybrooke Emma, we are coming to you, all of us"
Reginas eyes were tired recording this from her vault, even while making this promise, her voice wavered.
"Regina... "Emma gasped "She sent us a message"
Emma announced with a smile turning to face her mother, hearing her footsteps behind, but there was no sign of hope in Snows eyes.
"Just stay put, stay safe" Regina pleaded, before the loop started again.
A sigh of frustrated disbelief as she eyed the mirror with distain Snow stepped closer.
"Regina told us there was no way to get back, that this realm was gone"
Snow had an expression of betrayal as she said it going back over everything, that led her here.
"Well..." Emma looked towards Snow "She must have found one" her persuading expression did not convince her mother this was true.
Emma stepped closer to the mirror happy to see a familiar face, Snows eyes were distant while this information sunk in, her mind going through all the possibilities. Frowning, she couldn't help but feel bitter about, where the help came from.
"You must be Emma; I was wondering when you'd show up" A voice said but they couldn't see anyone.
"Who's there?" Snow barked becoming tense.
The figure stepped out from behind the pillar revealing a tall woman in a black dress and pointed hat, her skin green.
"The Wicked witch?'
In a state of surprise, Emma's tone mocked, never able to come to terms with the quirky characters, that frequented her life now.
"Wicked I like that, fitting even... with what I'm planning to do". A wide grin on her face, she stepped closer.
"Emma let's go"
Snow glared at the stranger manoeuvring herself between her and Emma, her hands twitched tense ready to strike.
"I think we'd better make sure; you follow Regina's instructions" Zelena teased with a smirk.
"I can't move" Emma yelled terrified, squirming her legs stuck in place on the floor.
Snows fingers twirled, sending the witch across the room, crashing into the wall forcefully, before a few arrows flew towards the witch, one piercing her arm. In response she cackled with an excited expression, sending a fireball towards Snow White, striking her in the chest.
"Mom…" Emma called out still unable to move her legs, she squirmed gasping out "leave her alone"
The fire didn't sear Snows skin, in fact she barely felt any heat from the flames, surging towards the wicked witch, ready for round two.
"Snow White" Zelena's said her mouth gaped open "You're the Dark One now" She grinned with a horrifyingly gleeful smirk.
"Your magic can't hurt me".
"That's were your wrong," her smile faded becoming a sneer "There are plenty of ways, I can hurt you".
Cackling once more, the wicked witch let fly another fireball this one aimed at Emma, Snow White waved her hand. Emma was surrounded by a cloud of magic disappearing, just as she felt the heat of the flames on her face.
"I'll just have to kill you then".
Snow White responded stepping closer to the witch, her eyes had a singular focus, fear overcoming her she prepared to kill. Zelena to her surprise, backed away raising her hands in surrender, upon seeing the murderous look in the Dark One's eyes.
"Or... there is another option you could help me" Zelena watched Snow carefully fear in her eyes "after all, I'm the only one who can get you, what you really want".
Snows eyebrows raised and she scoffed at Zelena's claims, feeling a sense of confidence believing she was more powerful then the witch.
"You don't know anything about me"
"I overheard your conversation" Zelena smiled seeing the pain in Snows eyes "I know your story".
"You think I would ever, work with a villain"
Zelena laughed at that comment she stepped closer to Snow, watching her expression closely.
"Even if, I can take you back to where it all began, change your fate… and your daughters"
Snow's mouth gaped open not having a response to this outlandish statement, she lost her edge stammering.
"That's not possible".
"It will be, if you help me acquire a few items, I can make it, so Regina was never even born"
Silenced by this comment Snow looked away as the threat sunk in, she couldn't help but consider it, picturing the kind of life she could have had.
"We could have always been together" Snow gasped out.
The wicked witch smiled, knowing she had caught her attention, stepping forwards closing the gap between the two.
"This is how, you get your revenge"
Revenge that word echoed in her head, was that something she even wanted, or ever thought about. Snow looked up to see the joy in Zelena's eyes, as she pictured the two of them side by side, undoing all the evil the Queen inflicted, by a simple spell. Snows heart raced knowing the truth already, this pursuit would come at much too steep a cost.
"No... "Snow stepped back shaking her head "There's always a price, I know that?"
"Not one, we'll have to pay"
Inspecting the witch closely now, Snows expression became suspicious, unable to trust a word she said.
"And what do you get out of this?"
In a blink Emma was back in the dwarf's home interrupting Elsa and Killian in the middle of a game of chess, so focused they didn't see Emma appear in the kitchen. A small piece of her hair, was still smoking, smelling burnt after becoming singed a little, in the fight.
"You are going to have to make a move at some point Killian".
Elsa sighed her eyes tired and unbothered, causing him to frown usually his distress matched Elsa's in matters concerning Emma.
"Sorry" Killian huffed frustrated moving his knight "I can't focus". His tone gruff wondering how Elsa could concern herself with a game at this moment.
Without looking up from the board Elsa could sense his confusion with her nonchalant attitude, she shrugged moving her piece.
"They'll be back soon; Snow is probably just grounding Emma again".
Emma ran into the bedroom her eyes desperate searching, her face pale, but relieved to see her friends.
"She's not here"
Emma gasped barely able to inhale, her movements erratic as she made her way around the house, almost in a daze having been, without warning magically teleported.
"Emma, who… what's going on". Killian asked getting up from the bed and coming over to her.
"My mom, she didn't come back with me".
"I'm sure she will be here any second" Seeing the desperate concern in Emma's eyes he reassured her "she can't get hurt remember".
"I just have a bad feeling..." Emma paused looking up at Killian pleading "Somethings wrong".
"Were safe here"
Killian took Emma's hand leading her to the bed, the three of them sat quietly waiting for something, anything to happen, but the room remained silent, the Dark One, yet to return. Minutes went by, that felt like hours, eventually Emma began to pace around the room biting her nails, as she went over the events in her head.
"Emma please, what's got you so worked up".
"We went back… back to my nursery" Emma's voice broke "I saw it, the wardrobe, and I just walked away, I could barely even talk to her".
Killian stepped closer his hand on Emma's shoulder he stopped her in her tracks, looking into her eyes.
"Emma, that must have been..."
Killian didn't finish what he was saying, because there were no words to describe this kind of heartache, having lost so much in her life. Returning home, to only find the remains of what could never have been, was too horrible to comprehend.
"Being there, seeing it all, the life they had planned for me, what they gave up" Emma said, her eyes distant as if she was still standing in that room.
Emma could no longer speak her voice broke, and she began to sob, to which Killian responded by wrapping his arms around her and patting her back.
"Guys umm there's someone outside". Elsa said making her way to the door.
Killian and Emma followed, their eyes on the figure standing by the window arms crossed, someone they'd met before.
"What's she doing here"? Killian asked confused.
Cora stood just outside waving at them, gesturing for them to let her in, her expression frustrated as she waited in the cold. Emma stopped in her tracks grabbing hold of Killians jacket, to stop him from getting closer.
"No, don't let her in, I know who she is now "Emma paused letting out an exasperated breath "Reginas mother... the Queen of hearts".
"What, I…" Elsa replied unable to speak, wondering if her home was ok.
"Get away from us!" Emma yelled.
Cora let out a sigh frowning; her hand glowed purple and she blasted the door with magic. It didn't open or budge at all, in fact the spell ricochet. Sending Cora to the ground, revealing a glimmering shield around the whole house.
"Emma, was that you?" Elsa
"That's not me, I don't…" Emma
"The dagger, what if she's come for it?" Killian exclaimed his eyes wide in fear.
"Quick grab it". Emma
"The dagger, this whole time you knew where it was" Elsa's eyes narrowed looking at Emma.
Emma was silenced by this comment, as guilt washed over her, realising now how stupid that decision was.
"We didn't know, what to do with it"
"So you lied and hid it?!" Elsa's mouth gaped open shocked, her expression of disgust.
Killian dived forwards to the floor, using his hook he ripped up the floorboard and it splintered. Pulling out a small cloth unwrapping it to reveal nothing inside. Killian gasped horrified for a moment, not believing what he was seeing.
"This is my fault, I told Emma to keep it hidden"
Emma felt as if the air had gone from the room her eyes focused on the empty cloth in Killians hand, her concerns that Snow wasn't herself evaporated. A new fear seared, as if burning in her veins, that someone would be in control of her mother, taking her free will.
"It's gone" Killian quickly got up moving towards the door "Do you think Cora already has it".
"Probably" Elsa's jaw clenched not looking at either Emma or Killian.
Clenching her fists, bringing a chill to the room as her hands became hard and white with ice, her fear and anger rising inside.
"I'm sorry, we made the wrong choice, we just need to find my mom".
Emma turned to Elsa her eyes pleading with her friend, who only nodded in response, the three of them moved towards the door.
"Emma..., did Cora attack you, just tell us what happened?" Elsa
"No, it wasn't her" Emma stammered "Back at the castle there was another, the Wicked Witch".
"The Wicked Witch, are you sure?" Killian remarked in disbelief.
"I don't know, she was green and just horrible" Emma stuttered as her breathing became heavy.
"It was definitely the Wicked Witch"
Elsa pointed towards the sky now filled with black winged creatures screeching, there claws out ready to kill, coming from all directions.
"Flying monkeys" Emma sighed in disbelief.
"We have bigger problems; the dagger is missing". Killian
"Cora must have it; I have to stop her".
Emma ran towards the door only to open it, to see the glowing yellow translucent barrier, she was unable to pass through. The barrier surrounding the house, was not only keeping Cora out, but making sure, they couldn't leave.
"What are you kids doing, let me in before these things kill me" Cora remarked frustrated.
"You" Killian spat "Did you take the dagger?"
"What! I'm just trying to warn you" Cora
"Warn us, about what"? Elsa
The three of them stood in the doorway hesitant, Snows warning echoed in Emma's head, but she couldn't help but listen as Cora spoke.
"My daughter" She sighed frustrated having to repeat herself "I told you she's here, she's coming for us all".
Emma frowned confused thinking about Reginas message, wondering how Cora knew about it, before she connected the dots.
"The Wicked Witch, she's your daughter?" Emma stated shocked.
"My oldest" Cora shrugged.
Emma sighed her eyes wide, looking around there was still no sign of Snow, as the creatures drew closer to the house, her heart raced as anxiety washed over her.
"Snow White"
Emma commanded, barely able to say the words, but there was nothing, not a sound but her own heartbeat racing, as she paced.
"Mom where are you"?!
Emma screamed becoming overwhelmed, she punched the barrier with her fist, only for it to send her backwards, to the ground.
"Emma be careful". Elsa said running to Emma offering her hand to pull her up from the floor.
"I have to do something, I lost the dagger, now Mom's missing, this is all my fault"
Killian came to Emma's side placing his hand on her back trying to reassure her, while Elsa moved forwards blasting the barrier with ice, but it had no effect.
"We can't get out" Elsa gasped.
The flying monkeys hovered directly above Cora waiting to attack, she turned to face them flinging fireballs. The creatures moved too fast, able to easily dodge the projectiles, one looped around behind Cora, digging it's claws into her back.
"Where trapped, but at least, they can't get in" Killian sighed.
Only able to watch all of this unfold the three teenagers were tense, but otherwise safe.
"No, I have to do something" Emma's eyes were pained as she watched "I can help her".
Killian and Elsa shook there heads seeing the escalating situation required a calmer mind, they could tell by the look in Emma's eyes, she was not thinking straight.
"Emma, just take a breath, please" Elsa
Emma shook her head as her mind wondered looking towards the ceiling, before making a move, grabbing a chair, and putting it on top of the table. Without a word of explanation to Elsa or Killian, she climbed up grabbing the railing, using her magic to bust a hole in the ceiling. This sent wooden splinters everywhere, the sound of the blast, getting the attention of the flying monkeys.
"The barrier doesn't cover the roof" Emma smiled moving closer "I can get out"
Ignoring the concerned looks from Elsa and Killian, Emma pulled herself up climbing over the rafters, until she was on the roof. Immediately one of the monkeys flew over to her, to which she blasted with a guiding bolt, sending it flying backwards.
"Cora, are you ok?" Emma asked staring as she desperately clung to the straw roof.
"Get this thing off me!" Cora screamed blood dripping down her back.
Emma raised her fists, sending another blast of magic, hitting the creature attacking Cora, it recoiled screeching before letting go of its grip on her. This strike caused Emma to lose balance, and she began to slide off the roof, with nothing to cling too, she couldn't stop herself, from hitting the ground.
"Oh shit"
Her heart dropped realising she was about to fall, when an arrow flew passed her cheek and through her shirt, securing her to the roof.
"Mom!" Emma shouted relieved as she squirmed.
More arrows flew across the sky hitting the flying beasts, tearing through them quickly, they fell to the ground with a thud. Cora smiled as the threat was vanquished, she looked towards the roof, grinning at the sight of Emma squirming above her, now trapped.
"I suppose, you want a thank you?" Cora sighed sarcastically.
"You could, just let me down". Emma said through gritted teeth
"Get away from her" Snow
Once again, a cloud of dark magic surrounded Emma and she disappeared from the roof, reappearing again safely on the ground, behind Snow White.
"You're ok, your here"
Emma ran into her mother wrapping her arms around her tight, tears in her eyes, as an overwhelming sense of relief washed over her. Finally letting herself be happy to be reunited, for a moment forgetting about the dark curse, and all that came with it.
"What happened" Snow gasped holding Emma tight "Emma are you ok?"
Without waiting for Emma to answer her, she kneeled down her hands on her shoulders, looking her over for injury, but it was clear her pain, was caused by emotional distress.
"We lost the dagger" Emma gasped out.
"It's right here". Snow whispered.
Gesturing to her cloak pocket, smiling slightly as she tried to keep a disapproving tone in her voice, but she was overwhelmingly relieved. Emma had stopped pushing her away and everything else no longer mattered, she hugged Emma once more for good measure.
"You knew... we had the dagger the whole time?" Emma said, her voice muffled still in her mother's arms.
"It calls to me, thought it best not to leave it unattended" Snow replied, raising her eyebrows.
"Right… I'm sorry".
"I'm just glad, you're ok… although the idea was for you to stay in the house, protected by the barrier"
Emma's eyes went wide realising how badly she misinterpreted the situation, that if she just stayed put everything would have been fine.
"You cast the barrier spell "Emma frowned as she thought it all over "Why where you gone for so long, I was worried, and the dagger was missing… I thought".
Snow smiled seeing the distress Emma felt knowing she wanted comfort, watching as her tears stopped with her mother there to wipe them away.
"Emma slow down, it's all ok".
Trying her best to offer comfort but Emma's anxiety hadn't wavered much, Snows tone wasn't right, her touch not the same, cold and stiff.
"What happened, to the Wicked Witch?"
As if not expecting to have to answer this questions Snow paused for a moment, pondering what to say.
"She disappeared; I don't know where she went"
Cora grinned watching this display she stepped closer; Killian slammed his hook against the barrier desperate to be let out.
"Your barrier spell could use some work". Cora said mockingly as she approached.
"It kept you out". Snow retorted.
"I used to do the same thing "Cora smiled as if reminiscing "To keep Regina where she was needed, I find it's better to use restraints".
Emma watched this exchange closely her eyes narrowed, and she couldn't help but snipe back, much to her mother's frustration.
"I wouldn't be handing out advice, didn't you just confess; you have a secret daughter"
"Yes, Zelena so you've met".
"No warning required then, it's time for you to go".
Snow insisted taking Emma's hand and walking away, Cora smiled stepping back from them, while Snow Whites eyes followed her every gesture closely.
"I won't be too far"
With a smirk she waved her hand in a cloud of purple magic Cora disappeared once more.
Coming up: Killian Emma and Snow visit Lake Nostos, Killian concern for Emma grows seeing the Dark One chip away at her spirit