Emma sat alone in her chamber pondering over the events that took place earlier that day.

As she lay there on her bed, staring up at the cracks in the stone ceiling, she recalled a memory that made her eyes open wide at the thought.

"...have you told Emma the truth about her parents, Regina?"

Emma knitted her brow, What on earth did Zelena mean by that??

Whatever it was, it was enough to push The Queen over the edge with anger, Emma recalled. So much so, she had to step in and stop The Queen from hurting her own sister.

Emma sat up and walked over to the mirror across the room. As Emma looked into the glass, she saw her reflection for the first time since the merging of magic with The Queen.

My face.. She thought to herself, brushing her fingertips gently over her pale white cheeks and onto her ruby red lips.

...I look.. different. I different.

Moving her gaze from her face to her clothes, she stared intently at her red leather jacket.

...Red..

A gift from The Queen, of course.

Regina loved when Emma wore red.

Emma enjoyed pleasing The Queen in every way that she could,

however, Emma thought to herself, It's not really about what The Queen wants anymore, is it?

After all, if Regina isn't concerned with giving me only half truths, why should I always make every effort to please her?

"It's time for Emma to do what she wants, for a change!"

Emma said out loud to herself, a smile slowly creeping across her lips.

With a snap of her fingers, Emma watched her reflection in the mirror as the red of the leather instantly turned black as night.

"Now, that's better." She replied with a crooked smile.

*****

The Queen paced the floor of her bed chamber, picking apart the events of the day. "Something feels... off." She thought aloud to herself.

Emma did say she felt fine... good, even. She recalled.

However, Regina also recalled the very moment Emma's demeanor changed.

Regina knew she had to remain positive of Emma's future concerning her ability to harness such powerful magic. For both their sakes.

The Queen moved toward the fireplace in her room. Hastily, she picked up a wine glass, filing it with the warm, red liquid from the decanter that sat next to it.

Quickly, Regina consumed the contents in the glass before returning it to the mantle.

Waving her hand over her magic mirror that sat just above the fireplace, The Queen took a peek into Emma's room. She needed some closure on the subject, to be reassured that Emma was doing just fine.

However, The Queen was horrified to learn that the image now staring back at her in the mirror was not reassuring at all!

Regina realized it was certainly more than just Emma's demeanor that changed; all of Emma had changed.

Dressed now, completely in black leather from head to toe, Emma's icy, stone cold face was staring back at The Queen.

With her fists tightly clenched at her sides, Regina squeezed her brown eyes shut, praying that Emma had not turned dark.

When The Queen opened her eyes again, seconds later, Emma's gaze shifted to Regina. As if she could also see into the magic mirror; into Regina's room. The left side of Emma's mouth curled up into a wicked smirk, as she made direct eye contact with Regina.

Shocked, The Queen thought to herself, How can that be?? How can she see me through the mirror??

Just then, the mirror cracked, shattering from the center out; the image of Emma gone along with it.

"No.." The Queen whispered, "...Come back!"

Regina waved her hand over the broken mirror again and again, trying to conjure the image of Emma back, to no avail.

Suddenly, The Queen's attention was abruptly pulled from the mirror, as the heavy wooden door to her room burst open. The sound of the back of the door slamming into the wall shook the entire room.

Standing in the doorway with a stoic expression on her face was Emma, arm outstretched into the room, signaling to The Queen that Emma was responsible for the commotion at her door.

Regina stepped away from the fireplace slowly, moving toward Emma. Her eyes shifting quickly to the erratic movement behind the blonde. Horrified, The Queen realized that it was Claudius there, grabbing at his throat with his own hands, not able to breath.

Gasping for air, Claudius' face was turning multiple shades of red, blue and purple as he fell to his knees in agony.

"Emma!" The Queen said, "Release him at once!"

Emma quickly turned her attention to Regina.

"Why should I, Regina?" Emma replied, "Why should I show Claudius mercy, when it's rare that you do the same?"

"Because, you are not an evil person Emma.. you.. you're not.. me."

"No, I'm not you, Regina." Emma replied, "Tell me; How long do you think he can last? Without any air to breath?"

"What?? What kind of question is that?! Emma, please! Release Claudius! He's done nothing to you!"

"Mmm yes, you may be right," Emma began, "however, from what I recall, my parents did nothing to you, did they?!"

"What are you talking about Emma??"

"Zelena mentioned you were holding something back about the death of my parents Regina! Don't play stupid!"

The Queen felt her temperature rise, as she grew more and more concerned over the well being of her guard. She could feel the Sweat begin to bead at her brow.

"Tell me what happened Regina! What did Zelena mean by what she said? What was your involvement with my parents' death!?"

Trying to swallow the agony building in her throat, The Queen forced out the information Emma was asking for, "Your parents.. they were good people. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time Emma. Please, please understand."

"Just tell me the truth Regina!!"

Taking her breath in, The Queen began; "When I was taking over the kingdom many years ago, the resistance against me grew bigger and bigger by the day. A crowd of villagers gathered by the drawbridge connecting the smaller villages to the main part of the kingdom, just before the entrance to my castle. These villagers meant me harm Emma; they were trying to kill me. Snow and David, they.. they tried to reason with them, and with me. An attempt to prevent a war, meaningless death and violence. Tension was very high that day, I remember it like it was yesterday. It's haunted me my whole life since it happened really."

The Queen paused a moment.

"Out with it Regina!" Emma commanded.

"There was so much anger.. so much yelling and so many threats.." Regina continued, "Neither side would agree or back down.. that's when it happened."

"When what happened?"

"The explosion." Regina answered, "The explosion that killed your parents. Along with hundreds of villagers. I didn't know I was doing it until it was done.. The fireball just erupted from my hands.. fueled with the anger I held at the villagers, at the resistance. I never intended to release it, but it happened. I am so so sorry Emma.. I would do absolutely anything to bring them back."

The intensity grew stronger on Emma's face as she took in this new information.

"." Emma replied, her eyes narrow slits below her brow. "It's all your fault. You are the reason I grew up alone in this world! Without a mother or father!"

"Emma, please.. I-"

At that moment, The Queen heard a loud cracking sound, it was the sound of Claudius' neck snapping in two. Regina watched as his body crumpled to the floor, motionless.

"Emma.. what have you done?!"

The Queen rushed past Emma, over to Claudius now, trying to revive his lifeless body.

Finally resting her arm at her side, Emma sauntered into the room.

"Emma! you killed him! Why??"

Not bothering to turn around to face The Queen, she replied, "You took something from me. I took something from you."

"This is not you, Emma!" The Queen pleaded, "This is not who you are!"

"Isn't it though?" Emma answered back, "You wanted my true power to shine Regina, perhaps you should be more careful of what you wish for..."

"Is this really what you want Emma? Have you come to fight me, after all this?"

The Queen stood now, making her way into the room as she spoke.

As she entered, a swirl of black smoke took shape next to Emma.

Regina felt a chill in the room, as Chernabog materialized next to the blonde.

"Chernabog." The Queen said with distain. "You dare show your face again!" A fireball forming in her palm as her anger began to flare.

"Well done, Regina" the demon commended her, "You have for filled your end of the deal after all."

"I've for filled , demon!" The Queen replied, "You will not take Emma, she does not belong to the darkness... she does not belong to you!"

Chernabog laughed loudly, "Oh no? Then to whom does she belong to, Regina? You?"

The Queen paused, glancing in Emma's direction, "No. She belongs to no one."

"HA HA HA HA!" His deep throated laugh shook the room, "!"

With a wave of his arm, a magical force threw Regina across the room. As her back slammed against the wall cracking the stone behind her, Mulan and Red came running to her aid.

Pointing her sword at the demon as she entered the room, Mulan demanded, "What's going on?! Emma? Are you ok?!"

Emma, adjusting her stature, replied "Never better Mulan."

Squared off facing Emma and the demon, Mulan glanced back toward The Queen, now crumpled on the floor; Red at her side. Quickly, Mulan stood, trying to piece together what was happening in the room.

"Ruby!" Mulan called to her, "Is The Queen alright?"

"Yes, she will be fine." Ruby replied.

Turning back to Emma, Mulan questioned her; "Emma, what is going on? What happened to Regina?"

Gazing from Regina back to Mulan, Emma opened her mouth to answer, but was caught short by The Queen herself, "I'll be fine Mulan." The Queen spoke as she approached Mulan, Ruby at her side, "What matters is what's happened to Emma. The darkness is taking hold, we have to stop it, for Emma's sake."

It was all starting to become clear to Mulan now, what was going on. Tightening the grip on her sword, Mulan took one last scan of the room before making eye contact with Emma again, "Emma, you don't want to do this. I know you. I know what's happening right now is not what you want"

Emma stared intently at the three women before her.

The Queen's hand engulfed once more with flames, as Ruby's eyes began to flare their bright amber color. Mulan, sword in hand, stood at the ready. Both women at either side of her.

Coming to the realization she was in need to regroup, Emma puffed out her chest, straightening her posture, and with a flick of her wrist she and Chernabog disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Mulan spoke, "Well, now what?"

"Now," The Queen spoke after extinguishing her flames, "..now we save Emma."

"Chernabog thinks he's won." Regina continued, "he couldn't be more wrong if he tried."