Summary: After an Ogre attack Cora shows up and Emma realises that she is Regina's mother and she comes with a warning, before she can pass on the information Snow brings her and Emma back to the nursery.

"Good Morning, come one rise and shine"

Snow white announced gleefully from the kitchen as the sun rose, after a moment Emma slid out of bed, rather sluggish having slept only a few hours. Rubbing her eyes as she walked into the kitchen, her brow furrowed, almost forgetting for a moment she gasped upon seeing the Dark One making her breakfast. In all-black gear and long hair, it was like looking at a stranger, Emma had lost her appetite, feeling a sense to flee she looked towards the door.

"It's an old recipe, Grumpy taught me, using the fruits in this area and a few secret ingredients".

"I was dreaming about pop tarts" Emma mind wondered sadness in her tone picturing the cupboards above sink that in the loft, it usually had a box in there.

"Ok then"

Snow grinned as the bowl she held out in her hand suddenly disappeared in a cloud of magic, in its place a toastie warm, pop tart. Emma frowned sitting down at the table not willing to take it, so instead Snow placed it in front of her.

"Where, were you last night?" Emma fidgeted in her chair her eyes watching Snows response carefully.

"I had something to attend to, nothing important"

Emma was sure she was lying, it's not like she had never lied to her before, a white lie was normal. Parents lie to their children, often wanting them to believe in Santa clause or avoiding topics too nuanced or complicated for those with fewer years on the clock. This however was very dismissive, as if Emma shouldn't concern herself with her mother's whereabouts, in the middle of the night.

"Seriously, you're not going to tell me"

"Emma please, just leave it"

"Did you find a way for us to get home, to Dad?"

"I have an idea, but I don't want you, to get your hopes up"

"Really you, don't' want to give people hope"

Emma replied sarcastically while inspecting the pop tart with caution, resulting in an eye roll and frustrated sigh from her mother.

"I just think it's best if we all just stay put for a moment, my plan will require some travel and after everything that's happened, you need to rest"

"I'm happy to not be going on another long trek through the forest" Elsa said walking into the kitchen and sitting beside Emma.

"I was thinking we should continue our journey to the crocodiles castle, on Horseback" Killian added from the adjacent room, stretching as he exited his hammock.

"I don't know how to ride a horse, never finished my lessons" Emma.

"No we don't need to go there, it's too dangerous" Snow White.

"I actually need to return to the pack, it's been too long as it is" Anita announced entering the front door, having slept outside.

"Wait, you're leaving"? Red

Red rushed into the kitchen, a tone of annoyance and surprise she frowned, looking at her mother with disappointment, before realising she had without meaning to, connected with Anita.

"Come with me?" Anita

The breakfast table chatter abruptly stopped, everyone looked towards Red for her answer. Her expression pained as she paused looking at the faces of despair around her, her thoughts conflicted.

"Oh, I don't know"

"You don't have to stay forever, but until you can find a way to cross realms, why can't we spend some time together"

"That's not such a bad idea" Elsa

"We can't split up,"

Emma's mouth gaped open surprised and frustrated that Elsa was encouraging this, after they'd only just reunited.

"We can use messenger birds, we'll let Red know if anything changes" Elsa

"That's a real thing to?" Emma

"Always a tone of surprise" Killian

Emma lay in the grass field now back in her red leather jacket, in between Red and Elsa who sat threading some white daisies together. Red looked troubled, as she weighed up her options, not sure if this was her only chance to find answers about her past. The memory she recovered from the maze haunting her, sure there was more going on then she realised.

"In the maze I saw something, a memory, my mother was there I think she killed someone, maybe that's why she left". Red

"I saw something strange to, but it wasn't a memory, I mean it never happened". Elsa

"What did you see Emma?" Red.

"I don't remember" Emma

Emma looked away not wanting to discuss it, her trauma seemed silly and unimportant in the face of Elsa and Reds misfortunes. All she saw was a glimpse of her parents in Storybrooke, two moments she shared with them, unsure if she would ever have that life back, she didn't want to press further.

"Right, it was probably nothing anyway"

"I'm sorry about breakfast, you should spend time with your Mom if you want to" Emma.

"So, should you?" Red.

"No, I can't, it's different, she's different" Emma.

Emma looked up over the long grass to see her mother staring at them, as she went through her old belongings, fixing a few broken and damaged parts of the house, to keep busy.

"Very healthy, that won't end badly at all" Red mocked.

"Oh, I'm done" Elsa exclaimed.

Elsa lifted up a daisy chain of flowers, to show Emma and Red her expression proud, if they didn't know better, they could pretend they were sitting out in the grass, behind the basketball courts at Storybrooke high.

"Very nice now make me one, please?" Emma.

"Argh" Killian.

"Do you think he wants us to help?"

The three quietly watched their facial expressions reacting, as Killian weaved and dodged, throwing his rope at a wild horse, only to miss his target every time.

"Trust me, he loves it, he's been waiting to do this"

"Really doesn't look like much fun". Elsa

"Yeah, his one of those outdoorsy people, gets up at dawn" Emma

"Well, his your true love" Red

"Yeah, he is"

Emma said in adoration, getting up from the grass and walking over to Killian quickly, she smiled as he let out another frustrated sigh.

"Need help?"

"Get out of the way"

Emma quickly dodged sideways as the horse charge towards her, its hooves sending the clumps of dirt everywhere before it stopped in front of Killian, rearing upwards.

"Now" Emma yelled.

Killian threw the rope forward gracefully and it looped around the horse's neck holding it in place, as he steered it around.

"Like riding a bike".

"How do you do it, het the horse to trust you, understand you?".

Emma smiled it was fake and overcompensating, Killian sighed seeing right through this farce.

"Are you ok, Emma... you can't just ignore her".

"No, I'm not ok Killian, please just tell me how to ride this horse, the sooner we get going the sooner we'll be home, and Dad can save her, with true loves kiss".

"You just need to introduce yourself"

Killian demonstrated his hand outward towards the horse letting it come to him, it trotted closer, and he stroked its mane. Emma smiled reaching her hand out delicately letting the horse come to her, slowly trotting forwards until her palm touched its head, she patted it gently.

Killian kept working with the horse, before he felt it safe to jump on the back, riding without a saddle it all came back to him his muscle memory, making it look easy. Elsa and Red made their way over to Emma as she watched Killian work, a smile on his face as he rode across the meadow. This faded as her friends approached arms around it other there expressions glum and concerned.

"You leaving, aren't you?"

Emma looked away, although she encouraged Red getting to know her mother, she couldn't help but feel uneasy about this.

"I thought about it, I'm going to go with Anita, but she's leaving now" Red.

Elsa and Red both had daisy chain bracelet on their wrists, notably Elsa hadn't made one for Emma, who sheepishly gave Red a hug goodbye.

"You let us know if you need us" Emma

"What's going on?"

Killian asked concerned taking notice of the exchange, he trotted the horse over to them, with a frown on his face.

"Red, she's going to go with Anita".

"Oh"

Killian was solemn, getting down from the horses back, immediately he hugged Red tight, while Emma held the reins and patted the horse, they all said their goodbyes. Emma left first; Killian helped her up onto the back of the horse using his hook as a step, he then took the reins, leading the horse.

"Do you think, they'll be ok".

Emma had wide concerned eyes watching as Red and Anita grabbed a few supplies, before making their way across the grass into the forest.

"I don't know, but I think it's best to separate the Dark one and the werewolf".

"How did everything get so screwed up?"

Emma couldn't help but dwell on the fact that only a week ago she was in class right about now, her biggest concern was finding time to study.

"We need to find out, how this happened, what the Dark One wants?".

"What do you mean?" Emma frowned her tone harsh "This is a curse, any curse can be broken by true love's kiss"

Killian unlike Emma never hide from the truth never able to keep it in he voiced is concerns aloud, although he gave her a sympathetic look aware she was playing avoidance.

"This isn't as simple as a sleeping curse Emma; she might not want to give the power up".

"No, she's never chased power, what would she want with it".

"How could she not" Killian stopped in his tracks his anxiety rising "In a few days she was able to cross realms and reunite with you, the only reason you found us is because of a spell she cast… not to mention you were close to death when Anita brought you here, I felt it" He became chocked up barely able to get the words out.

"If I was that close, I would know".

Emma shock her head unwilling to accept Killians assessment of there situation.

Killian rolled his eyes his expression becoming a glare, so frustrated by Emma's reluctance to see how quickly the situation could turn but he persisted.

"How could you have known, with a flick of her wrist she was able to make it all go away, I've seen what that can do to people"

"She's not him, ok, your just got a history with Dark Ones, but she's not him"

They where across the other side of the meadow over the hill Emma's words firm and loud they carried across the empty space, met with silence. Killian hand reached for hers he didn't much her anger but his face softened, giving her a sympathetic look.

"Emma, I'm worried, I don't want to lose you"

"You won't" Emma smiled trying to combat his worry "remember we have our signal"

"You mean, your girl scout bird call"

Emma placed her hand over her mouth, whistling she sent a signal that echoed loudly across the valley and they both laughed. Ahead in the trees a large branch snapped falling to the ground with a thud, followed by thunderous footsteps, reaching closer to them. Killian and Emma looked to each other concerned, before a ferocious growl sent the birds in the trees surrounding them, to soar into the sky.

"Ogre!" Killian

Still holding the horses reigns he tried to get Emma down, but it was too late the horse spooked by the noise took off. The rope slipped from his grip, while pulling Killian down to the ground, Emma could only watch helplessly as the horse galloped off, barely clinging on to it's mane.

"How do I stop?"

Killian remained quiet and still, the ogre's feet stomping down beside him, with such force that it shook the ground, preventing him from getting up. The ogre moved forwards, having no idea Killian was at its feet, head swaying from side to side, the ogre tried to determine where its target had gone.

"Killian!"

Emma called out, as the horse continued to gallop forwards, she turned her head back to see Killian still on the ground. Her voice drawing the ogre closer, it roared causing the horse to buck in response, sending Emma flying into the air. Snow white appeared in a cloud of magic, beside Emma her hand out in front of her, a composed, focused expression. A magical force gripped onto Emma, stopping her fall just inches from the ground, she hovered.

"Emma, are you ok?"

"Fine, just learning how to ride".

Snow took Emma's hand pulling her up to her feet, before looking her over closely for any sign of injury, her hands on her shoulders. With Killian still in danger, Emma's eyes focused on him, and she frowned glaring at her mother, as she had delayed Emma from getting to him.

"Stop, why are you always running into danger".

"Killian, he needs help"

"Just stay behind me"

Emma wasn't listening her eyes on Killian as he tried to get up from the ground, an agonised expression, but the ogre was now focused on Emma. Unwilling to wait a moment longer Emma took off, without notice of the ogre's path, until she stood at the creature's feet unable to stop in time. Slipping in the dirt onto her back, while it knelt down in front of her, sniffing the air. Thrusting her fist forward, Emma sent a ball of energy towards the ogre, smashing it in the face, the beast only became more enraged. Roaring ferociously, its breath nauseating, while the saliva splattered across Emma's face. Her stomach dropped terrified and alone, she flinched anticipating the ogres enormous fist crushing her.

"Back away from my daughter"

The ogre stopped as Snows fierce tone caught its attention it turned to face her, just as an arrow flew towards it. Hitting the ogre in the centre of the eye, straight through its head, making a squishing sound as it pierced threw. Emma gasped as the enormous creature stumbled, before falling to the ground with a thunderous crash. Now as Emma struggled to catch her breath her eyes searched for Killian, who, had managed to get out of the way of the ogres fall.

"Emma!"

Snow White called out frustrated, an emotional exhaustion apparent in her tone, as she continued to find Emma in life and death situations. Emma stood up her legs shaking, but she smiled looking up at her mother shocked, before giving her an apologetic look.

"That was… crazy".

"Inside, now".

The three of them walked back into the house in silence, suddenly it was all very tense, and Emma and Killian smirked at each other. Somewhat enjoying getting into trouble, that broken part of them still just relieved knowing somebody cared enough to be upset, Elsa was visible in the window pacing in the kitchen.

"Killian, Emma are you ok?" Elsa

"Fine, it's just a scratch". Killian responded, referring to a small cut on his arm.

Emma hand still in his felt a surge of magic pulse from her palm, this energy transferred to Killian, the small cut on his arm vanished while his energy returned.

"Are you sure you're ok, maybe I shouldn't have been so loud" Emma

Killian put his hand to her check, shaking his head with a adoring smile on his face, he kissed Emma lips quickly.

"It's not your fault, we were warned the ogres had returned, I should have told you, they react to sounds" Killian

"No one told me" Snow said slamming the door as she entered the house.

Emma let go of Killian hand, walking towards the back room avoiding eye contact with Snow, placing her hands in the small troth she splashed water onto her face.

"Killian, Elsa there's dinner in the pot over the fire, stay inside"

"Right, but where are you going?" Elsa

"Me and Emma need to talk, alone".

Just as Emma walked back into the room, Snow made her way to the door, her eyebrows raised she gestured for Emma to follow.

"Do we have to do this?"

Emma rolled her eyes acting petulant, she stomped her feet all the way out the door until they were both outside.

"Yes, talk to be, I won't go back to this, you shutting me out"

"Me, what about you, your acting like you being the Dark One is nothing, it's not nothing".

"I know, Emma, do you think I chose this".

"I don't know what to think, you haven't even told us, how this happened?"

Emma stepped closer her voice croaked as her anger faded revealing how sad and scared, she was her lip trembled.

"It found us, surrounded me, I felt this rush before everything went dark"

"I don't understand, I thought you had to... kill him"

"Mr Gold was already gone, when me and your father, got to the pawn shop"

"The darkness it just took you, left Dad all alone"

"I don't really understand what happened, but it brought me here to you, that's what matters, everything will be fine, I can stop using magic"

"Sure, I bet it's an easy habit to kick"

Emma replied sarcastically turning away her eyes welled with tears, suddenly a light chuckle echoed out from the darkness surrounding them, footsteps crunched in the dirt, a figure emerged from the tree line.

"Whose there?" Snow

From the shadows, beaten her eyes red and tired, time had not stopped for her, she was nothing like the regal queen, she once was.

"You, get back" Snow White stated, her tone forceful.

"Do you know, who that is"? Emma asked, recognising her as the woman that helped them in Arendale.

"Relax dear Snow, I come with a warning and some advice, my daughter is here..."

"Your daughter"? Emma responded confused.

Snow stood in front of Emma her expression one of warning, the same she'd have whenever Emma was about to walk out onto the road without looking, panicked and stern.

"Regina's back in Storybrooke, now leave us".

"If you don't want my warning then here's my advice, magic is a part of you now, you might as well try not to breath, it comes naturally".

"I said, go".

Snow white pulled out her bow once more aiming an arrow directly at Cora, who smiled in response, putting her hands up, signalling she was no threat.

"Wait stop, she's Regina's mother, the queen of hearts"

"What has Regina told you about me, all the bad things I'm sure, left out how much I helped her".

Emma surged forwards her anger outweighing her better judgment, finally face to face with the woman who started it all. This twisted tale of heartache, revenge, and true love, it all led back to her.

"I know what you did, controlled Regina's whole life, she told me what happened to Daniel".

"Emma slowdown" Snow yelled, her anxiety overwhelming her for a moment, she froze.

"You must know her well then".

"Well in Storybrooke, if you spend enough time there, find your got lots of family, me and Regina have a history…" Emma couldn't finish the sentence unsure how exactly to label it, her family and their connective tissues becoming somewhat complicated.

Recognition was apparent on Cora's face she smiled, sure now Regina wasn't just alive, but had somehow developed a friendship with Emma. Before anyone could respond, Emma field if view was gone, enveloped by a cloud of purple magic. This didn't last long however and a moment later it disappeared, Emma and Snow White, had travelled across the realm, leaving Cora behind.

"What happened, where are we?"

"Home"

They were standing in a nursery, of a once grand castle, now with large gaping holes and broken railings, after the curse ripped it apart and it was left to decay.

"It looks just like the Storybook; how did we get here?"

"I did it, Cora's right, there is no way to stop myself, from using dark magic".

Emma finally looked over to Snow searching her eyes for something familiar, and there it was, her eyes wide brimming with tears, she felt guilty.

"We just need to find out how it works, what were you thinking about, just now?".

"I wasn't thinking, I was afraid, terrified".

"But you have faced worse than Cora".

"No, I haven't, don't underestimate her, she's very dangerous, listen to me when I tell you to stay back and keep quiet".

"Why, we were just talking".

"Not with Cora, she has a way of lowering your defences, making you feel safe, only to turn it on you, strike you where it hurts the most".

Emma looked into her mother's eyes as she spoke, they were distant, lingering back to that day in the stables. Snow Whites usual calm resolve wasn't there though, as she thought back on this memory her eyes were dark, filled with hate. Emma slowly stepped away walking over to the balcony, to see the valley and hills with no other buildings in sight, like an alien planet.

"I used to live here?"

"You never got to even spend a night". Snow white said, her voice echoed through the cold dark space.

Everything from the hand knitted baby clothes to the crib was decaying away to dust, this brought on a deep aching in Snow's chest. Walking over to the wardrobe she placed her hand on it, feeling the magic it still held, within its wooden fibres.

"Everything I ever had planned for you, turned to dust".

In Snows hands now a small teddy bear with mattered fur, she clung onto it tears in her eyes. For moment she could see it all, what this room was, what it should have been. A warm yellow light filling the space, the mobile hanging above Emma's crib, she gasped anguished at the thought of it. Emma felt nothing, unable to connect to this room, she couldn't see herself here. Learning to walk and talk or prepare for her first ball, this was never what she imagined her life could be.

"We should go, Killian and Elsa will be getting worried".

"I needed to see this, every decision I make, I've always done 'the right thing'".

"You're a good person". Emma voice wavered knowing that might not be true anymore.

"Right, a good person, who sent her infant daughter through a magic wardrobe, to an unknown land alone".

"You gave up everything for me, you're still doing that"

Emma's voice croaked, barely able to get the words out she began to cry, as a guilt stirred in her stomach, in one horrible clarifying moment. Unable to deny the truth to herself anymore, that Snow had become the dark one to save her, but it was too much to give. It changed Snow, who looked away as Emma cried, not offering any comfort to her daughter. So alone, Emma felt grief wash over her, right now Emma felt like an orphan once more. Snow stepped closer to Emma with a look of resentment, her eyes becoming not sad but angry, vengeful as she spoke.

"I could have killed her, or let her die, tell me what's the better path".

"Who? why would you let someone die".

"Regina, she was to be executed once, but I stopped it, gave her a second chance".

"You saw her for who she could be".

"But I knew her for what she was, I let this happen".

Picking up a shard of glass from the dirt coated floor, Snows mind wandered back sixteen years ago, where she lay in this spot. Regina stood over her, smiling gleefully, while she held her dead husband in her arms, her infant daughter taken from her, just after giving birth. Despite all that, Snow White had more hope in that moment, then she did now. With the dust settled, the curse broken Emma had found them, but it didn't feel like anyone had won, not the villains and certainly not the hero's, it was all for naught.

"This room was supposed to be a place of joy, after all me and your father faced we had our happy ending, but seeing all this now, we lost everything because I wouldn't do what was necessary"

Emma stepped back her eyes wide as she looked upon this stranger with her mothers face, now a small smile appeared on her face as if a switch had flipped in her head turning off the light.

"I'm… scared".

"I would never hurt you".

Taking another step closer Snows voice softened, her hand trembled as she said the words, not sure if she knew herself well enough, to promise that anymore.

"No that's not what I mean, I just barely got to know you… now it's like you're here but you're not you, and that hurts more then, not having you here".

Emma backed away walking out of the nursery to the hall, leaving her mother behind, after a minute Snow let out a deep breath. Her sadness bubbling up, as the darkness increased its grip, spreading through her heart with nothing to hinder it, her hatred grew.

"Emma don't wonder off; we have no idea what Regina's curse did to the structure of the castle".

After hearing no response from her teenage daughter she frowned, heading out into the hall, looking around the dank empty space.

"Emma, make a sound please".

"I'm fine, come here..." Emma paused her tone more hopeful "Maybe Cora was telling the truth".

Notes: This chapter is just lady of the lake scenes couldn't help myself, let me know what you think of this twisted version - Next chapter the meaning behind Cora's warning is revealed.