Strolling forwards out of a swirling cloud of purple magic Regina's expression was uncharacteristically blank. In front of her an apple tree reduced to nothing but a dead stump and twigs, no fruit had grown on it in over a decade. This same decay was present in every corner of the castle, but neither Snow or Regina's eyes lingered on it for more than a moment. In fact they both walked away and as Regina caught a glimpse of Snow's expression of deep hurt and guilt, she rolled her eyes in response.
"That was pathetic" Regina's judgmental tone didn't have its spiteful edge to it, but it still stung just the same.
"It's fine" Snow sighed walking briskly ahead through the enormous double doors to the foyer.
"I can't believe you would let go, so easily" Regina's tone became strained.
"They're scared" saying the words while her thoughts lingered on the moment David and Emma pulled away.
Regina rolled her eyes storming forwards until she was at Snow's side, she turned to her with a playful smirk.
"Please, I'm the one whose heart you ripped out" raising her eyebrows.
"Yes I did" she stopped walking, eyeing her sceptically "you don't seem angry at me?"
Regina continued forwards delicately placing her hand on the railing of the grand staircase, before recoiling it back her hand coated in a layer of black soot.
"I've been angry at you for so long it's a natural state" Regina teased while dusting off her hands in disgust.
"But you need to learn restraint, or you will destroy yourself and everything that you love" Regina locked eyes with her but they weren't judgmental or angry, just pitying.
"When have you ever restrained yourself?" Snow scoffed her arms folded in a huff.
"Exactly my point" Regina spat back before her voice softened "I've been alone for as long as I can remember"
Snow White pursed her lips looking at Regina closely with scrutiny thinking long and hard, before taking in a sharp breath, as her eyes went wide.
"What?" Regina sighed, stamping her heel down.
"Regina, is it true Zelena can't control you, even with your heart in her hands?" Snow's tone was somewhat suspicious as she watched Regina closely.
"Do you not trust me?" Regina raised her eyebrows, a flicker of fear in her eyes as Snow moved closer.
"I need you to do something for me" a serious tone she didn't even blink.
"I don't like the sound of this" Regina straightened up tensely.
Snow slowly placed her hand into her cloak pulling out the dagger her hands gripped the handle tensely. The internal struggle was clear in Snow's eyes as she held it out for Regina to take from her, with pleading eyes while her hand shook.
"You can't be serious" Regina chuckled but her face softened.
"Please, you're the only one, who can protect it" Snow paused gasping "the only one who will stop me" she raised her eyebrows.
Regina took her eyes off the dagger looking up at Snow's desperate expression, pursing her lips into a thin line she huffed. Before giving her a small nod, eyes distant as she mused on this request for a moment.
"I'll keep it safe" Regina stated firmly locking eyes with her intensely as she took the dagger from her hand. "But it won't come to that"
Just as Snow opened her mouth to add more, their conversation was interrupted with cries of agony from above. The screeching forced them to clasp their hands over their ears, frowning in confusion.
"The wizard, he's still here" Snow's eyes darkened.
"The who" Regina scoffed.
"He attacked David, left him for dead" Snow tone gruff.
"Wait, stop" Regina's voice broke upon seeing the hate in Snow's eyes.
As she began to surge forwards Snow abruptly froze in place, her body tensed like something had crawled underneath her skin and taken over control.
"Don't ever do that!" Snow demanded, seeing Regina's hand gripping the dagger.
"I'm trying to help" Regina pleaded before securing the dagger to garments with magic so it was out of her hands.
"He's getting away" Snow practically growled as the sound of flapping wings grew quieter.
"What are you going to do?" Regina exhaled her eyes darting between Snow and the doorway.
"Make him talk" She grinned.
Before her eyes Snow vanished in a cloud of darkness and she sighed in response a shiver sent a shock up her spine. The more time she was around Snow she couldn't deny the familiar lust in her eyes, for another taste of darkness.
Regina gulped letting out a deep breath before transporting herself to the atrium where she found Snow sending arrows towards the beast. Not one of them missed but they were not aimed to kill the creature or even slow it down. No, these sharp edges just skimmed the flesh leaving behind tiny cuts all over the beast body.
"Enough of this" Regina's voice shook her heart racing.
Stepping forwards lifting her arms upwards telekinetically pulling down the rods holding up the ceiling and melding a new shape. Swinging downwards and wrapping around the flying monkey forcing him to the ground with his wings squashed. The creature's skin morphed, and the man appeared once more, his expression pained and confused.
"Don't hurt me" Walsh cried out pitifully.
"Where is Zelana?" Regina's gruff voice demanded an answer.
The man shook his head in disbelief before letting out a delirious chuckle, exhaling Snow reached forward pushing the metal rod into his shoulder causing him to scream in pain.
"What's so funny?" She asked with her eyes wide in a crazed anger.
"Everyone is always coming to me for answers, but I have none, I never have" His voice broke as he struggled to talk through his pain.
"Enough of this babble" Regina spat "Tell us what she did to Emma's heart?"
His chuckle became deeper as a sly smile lit up his face, as his body contorted morphine back into the beast his arm was freed. Allowing him to reach forwards, his eyes locked onto the small bag tied to Snow's waist that contained Emma's heart. Snow dodged away just as the claws just scraped the cloth.
"No," she yelled breathlessly.
Abruptly flinging her hand forwards her eyes wide with rage, arrows appeared beside her aimed at his shoulder. The wizard's eyes wide, his face pale as he whimpered and squirmed unable to free himself.
"Snow, what are you doing?" Regina stammered out.
"He'll just keep hurting people" Averting Regina's gaze she glared at the terrified man.
"So you're an executioner now" Regina scoffed horrified.
"I stopped yours, then you cast the curse" she turned to Regina snows guilty expression returned but now it was angry and bitter "I was taught to do the right thing and it's only ever brought more death"
"No" Regina gasped out with a smile "that's not true, you saved me and I'm going to save you"
"I thought you needed to change, but what if I do" Snow's voice broke, finally looking around taking in the sight of the home she grew up in. Every corner of it was rusted or had simply crumbled to dust, unable to maintain its shine in these harsh conditions.
"Then we have all truly lost" Regina stepped closer wrapping her hand around Snows firmly.
Regina waved her other hand over the still squirming man. Suddenly he was enveloped in a cloud of purple magic and disappeared.
"What did you do?!" Snow yelled, jerking away from Regina's warm touch.
"His in the dungeon" Regina looked at her pointedly as she glared "He can't hurt anyone"
Snow white shook her head squeezing her eyes shut while her hand reached for Emma's heart she stifled a laugh. The irony of the Evil Queen saving someone from her wrath made her head spin.
"I couldn't let him take it," Snow said in a retort, arguing with her inner thoughts aloud.
"We could keep it somewhere safe" Regina concerned eyes looked over at her.
"No" she stated firmly, frowning at the idea.
"I have experience with hearts, there is a reason I keep them locked in a tomb" Regina stepped closer her voice pleading.
"I don't need a recap" She replied coldly, her eyes distant.
"Wait" Regina smiled her eyes lighting up "I have something that might remove the curse on Emma's heart".
"You're only telling me this, now" she scoffed.
As Snow White muttered the words Regina took them both back to the storeroom quickly running over to a large cabinet with a broken lock. Frantically shoving her hand in and shuffling things around erratically, before letting out a frustrated sigh.
"What is it?" Snow gasped out exasperated.
"The thief, Robin, that's what he was after" Regina's shoulders slumped letting out a sigh but there was a glimmer in her eyes, something new, bright and hopeful.
"Are you sure this is it?" Snow white was tone was frustrated, growing increasingly anxious with Emma cursed heart worsening by the second. She stood by Regina's side in the middle of the forest with seemingly not another person or landmark in sight.
"Yes," Regina groaned, equally annoyed.
"Just don't see, well anything". Snow stepped forwards looking around before turning back to Regina eyebrows raised, she gave her a pointed look.
"I know how to do a simple locator spell?" Regina's voice hoarse she raised her hand gesturing around her, but her doubt was clear in her expression.
Above their heads a slight rustling in the trees as they looked above there was barely a bird in sight, and they frowned. Then out of the corner of her eye Regina spotted a man's leg in green tights she twisted her hand, her magic forcing the branch to break. The man fell a few metres crashing to the ground with a thud, then more emerged from the surrounding bushes with bows drawn.
"Wait, it's ok, I know what they came for" Robin ordered, raising his hand and signalling for the men to lower their weapons.
"Didn't think we'd find you?" Regina accused, pleased with herself.
"Your majesty, why don't we head over to our camp, I'll explain" Robin smiled kindly, unbothered by her gruffness towards him.
"We don't have time, just give back what you stole" Snow stepped forward her eyes wide enraged "before we take it"
"Dark One, trust me this explanation" He paused already walking away "requires visuals" Robin looked back an apologetic expression.
Snow and Regina turned to each other perplexed but gave in, finding themselves surrounded with many others emerging from the hiding spots. They didn't have far to trek through the trees to a camp, with large tents and workstations at the centre a large bonfire was being prepared. Hundreds of people, children among them rushed about, many setting up for some kind of celebration.
"What is all this?" Regina questioned with a slight annoyance.
"I told you, I'll need to show you, it's right in there" Robin gestured them to continue to follow as he weaved between people and tents to a
"This better be good" As the words left her lips Robin lifted the cloth blocking the entrance to a large tent. Lying on a table inside was a man, his skin morphing just like the wizards. Beside him a tense woman, a glowing heart in her shaky hand. Looking down lovingly while the man twitched, screaming in agony.
"Alright, put it back" Robin encouraged firmly.
The man groaned in agony as the heart was plunged back into his chest for a moment all were quiet as he laid still, slowly the darkness faded. Colour returned to his face, and he sat up smiling at the woman with adoring eyes, sweat dripping down his face.
"Your back" The woman sighed in relief, her hand gently caressing his cheek.
"Emma, is that going to happen to her?" Regina gasped.
"I need that potion, now" Snow moved forward ignoring Regina's reserved expression.
"Who are you?" The medicine woman stepped back, glaring at them through her matted hair, before blocking Regina and Snow from accessing her cabinet.
"It's ok Erica, I kind of stole it from them, first actually" Robin explained with a smirk.
"Get out of my way" Snow demanded, glaring at the woman.
"There's not much left" Erica explained exasperated, her eyes on Robin expecting him to intervene.
"It's ok, I can make more, I just need time" Regina said while raising her hand sheepish, surprised to find herself to be the calming mediating voice in any scenario.
Snow White was impatient teleporting behind the medicine woman, taking the vial and inspecting it closely before smiling. Pulling Emma's glowing heart from her bag, the green shimmer had grown bigger, but the white glow still pulsed.
"Be careful, just a drop will do" Erica said her voice shaking.
Ignoring all around her she poured the rest of the potion onto Emma's heart and slowly the green shimmer faded away.
"How do we know if it worked?" Regina stepped forwards.
Snow smiled her eyes wide upon seeing the red glow, with a pulsing white light at its centre.
"It did, I can feel it" Snow grinned proudly.
"You used it all" Erica tone became strained the hope that she had moments ago, now absent.
"I'll make more" Regina was sheepish as she smiled awkwardly.
"Aren't you the evil queen, and you, your Snow White?" Erica stood still, with a perplexed expression.
Regina strolled over inspecting the ingredients and equipment, while Snow left the tent, placing Emma's heart back in the bag.
"Your friend isn't very talkative," Robin commented, somewhat frustrated.
"She's not herself, " Regina sighed hopelessly as she spoke the words aloud.
"Whatever happened to her, taking it out on the world won't make it better" Robin's judgmental tone set Regine on edge.
"What would you know of her pain?" Regina frowned, feeling attacked herself.
Regina's hands clenched as her eyes darted around, letting out a sigh upon noticing Robin's sympathetic expression.
"She's trying to save someone she loves" Regina explained her tone softening.
"Not many can understand loving something so much you'd cross any line, but you do " Robin's voice was gruff but pleasant somehow she couldn't help but smile, turning towards him.
"And you?" Regina asked with a scrutinizing frown.
"I may seem like your average ruggedly handsome thief, but like most that were left behind by your curse, I've looked into that dark abyss" Robin's playfulness faded as his eyes became distant.
"Just try not to stare too long, or it will be too late to turn away" Regina sighed, begging to rifle through the small vials of various powders and liquids on the shelf in front of her.
Robin broke away from his distant thoughts, locking a sympathetic gaze onto Regina as he watched her work.
"It's never too late," Robin stated plainly his words held weight to them a sense of understanding she had not encountered before.
Regina shook her head, remaining silent, focusing her attention on the task in front of her, adding herbs and seeds into the mortar before grinding them.
"You said you needed the potion to save your family?" Regina asked curiously.
"Yes, the Merry Men, the only family I've ever had" Robin explained with pride.
"Then, I better get this done" Regina looked up at him pointedly but her eyes lingered on his smile, working their way down to his exposed chest through the tattered green vest.
"Find me when you're finished, you've earned a drink" Robin smiled appreciatively of Regina's presence before exiting the tent.