Chapter Text
Prologue
Regina sat on her bed, clutching the dagger as if her life depended on it, while the memories of that night haunted her. What the hell had happened? One moment she was on a date with Robin and the next she was being swallowed by the darkness, but not just any darkness. The Dark One's darkness. She’d never felt anything like that. Something so intense, so pure evil and yet so freeing. If she hadn't redeemed herself, she would probably have surrendered to the darkness and all that power but instead, Emma did. Emma saved her. That stupid savior.
Savior...the word felt like poison in her mouth. Emma was so much more than that. She was light, she was her friend, someone who believed in her from the beginning, someone who always fought for her, who always saved her. And now she was gone and it was all her fault.
Once again Emma was separated from her family and it was all Regina's fault.
She clung harder to the dagger, her mind too preoccupied to feel the sharp blade almost cut into her skin.
Regina bit her lip trying to think what to do next. Emma wasn't in this world anymore, or at least not in this realm and she had no idea where Emma could be now.
They talked to the author before he died, but that hasn't helped much.
What the hell did he mean when he said, "She is now where all darkness is born."
The only thing that he said that made any sense was the fact that there wasn't a way to reach her through any portal and all they could do was try to summon her with her dagger.
Before Hook could take the dagger with him, Snow took it from his hand and handed it to Regina. She didn't think she'd ever seen Hook so pissed before.
"Why are you giving me this?" Regina asked with a raised eyebrow. Her eyes filled with fear and concern for Emma.
"Because I trust you to do the right thing." Snow smiled weakly. "I know if there's anyone who can find a way to bring our Emma back, is you." She turned her attention to Henry, her eyes watering again. "And our Henry."
"But I'm her true love," Hook snapped.
"You are?" Regina had to bite the inside of her cheek to prevent a laugh from escaping her throat. The audacity of that handless pirate. To think that he would be good enough for Emma, to the point of being her true love. No one in this world would be good enough for Emma. Even less her, or Hook.
Killian stared at her with a fury she hadn't seen in a while but Regina didn't even flinch.
She stared back, daring him to defy her, to say it again that he was Emma's true love. But just like she expected, he didn't say anything. Instead, he left Gold's shop stomping like a teenager.
Regina shook her head, freeing herself from those thoughts and tried to think in a way to bring Emma back. They couldn't count with Rumple anymore so her only option was the fairies (and Regina would rather go back to being the Evil Queen than asking for help from those disgusting beings) or Maleficent.
Of course, she could ask for Zelena's help but given their current situation, she didn't think this was a good idea. Her sister still hated her and Regina didn't see how it would be possible to make peace with Zelena in the near future after everything she had done. Perhaps over time they would at least reach an agreement or tolerable coexistence, for the sake of the child she was carrying, since Robin was the father and Regina had no intention of separating him from the child, even if the mother was Zelena.
"Henry," Regina called from her bedroom.
"Yes, mom?" He appeared at her door the next moment.
"I'm going to visit an old friend and see if she can help me find Emma, and figure out a way to bring her back." She stood up and smiled at him, trying to look confident. "Please, don't leave the house. And if anything happens or-"
"Let me come with you." His eyes shone with unshed tears. "You know I can help."
"I don't know if it's safe, Henry."
"Then you shouldn't go either," he said firmly. "I already lost one mother today, I don't want to risk losing another."
Regina looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. She didn't want to tell Henry who she was going to see, but lying to him now wouldn't do them any good. "Okay, you can come. But please, follow all my orders."
"Yes, Mom." Henry smiled relieved.
Regina offered her hand to him and in the next moment they disappeared in her purple smoke.
When Henry opened his eyes he couldn't hide the excitement in his gaze. "That was awesome!"
Regina arched an eyebrow at him, but said nothing. She smiled and took a deep breath, readying herself to knock on the door; but before she could do so, the door flung open and a tall, elegant figure was on the other side. "I’ve been waiting for you."
"Maleficent." Regina breathed.