Chapter Text
—I have loved that woman for 13 years. I would die as the happiest bastard for her life and our children. For our family. I need them to see another dawn in this new world without darkness —Emma grips the hilt of her sword tightly—they must know a world where they don't fear nightfall. Where they don't fear to sleep or dream. A world where they don't wonder every time they open their eyes, if this is the last day of their lives.
—But at the cost of losing a lifetime with you? —asks Ruby Lucas, second-in-command.
—Rubs, I would go through hell for them. I don't want to die, but if it comes to that, then yes. I will leave peacefully, knowing that we have defeated the Sinister One and my family, our people and neighbors kingdoms will be safe to rebuild a new world, where the darkness doesn't eclipse the light and no living beings are subject to the atrocities of the Sinister One.
For minutes they remain silent, each absorbed in their own mind.
—Emma, won't you even tell her you love her? —asks Ruby, resigned. When the blonde has decided something, there is no one who can make her change her mind... well almost no one except for a brunette Queen.
—She knows —the Saviour says without a doubt— Every time I look at her and see her interacting with Henry and Hope, my soul whispers the most sweetest I love you in the truest way a human being can express it —blinks rapidly, trying to clear her vision— plus, she finally has her soulmate. Her fiancé. She will be all right —says without a doubt in her voice.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ruby gives Emma a tight hug, hiding her bright eyes in her neck. She could never have fulfilled her godmother duties for the blonde, but she will be damned if she won't be by her side until the very end.
—You are a fucking charming idiot —Ruby chides, wiping away her tears.
—I know —Emma says with a small smile, shrugging her shoulders, dismiss it.
The generals stay like that for a few moments, savoring the last minutes they have before the final war begins between the enchanted kingdom and its allies against the Sinister One's army.
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"Motherfucker" Emma thinks, clenching her jaw at the pain in her arm. At least is just a superficial scratch; no stitches are need. Still, she tights the bandage, better safe than sorry.
Happy with her work, she looks up, seeing a dirty, disheveled and scratched, but in one piece mother of her children, The Good Queen, Regina Mills and her fiancé, Robin Hood.
The battle has been brutal. Both armies have lost strength and numbers, but her army is winning (only God knows how is that possible). They need just one more thing to conquer once and for all.
They need, the dagger of resurrection.
According to the prophecy, the brave one will defeat the age of darkness when they plunge the dagger of resurrection into the heart of the Sinister One. What no one knows, as Emma made sure of that, there is a price to pay (what a surprise) whoever kills the Sinister One will sacrifice their life.
What better job to do than the Saviour, right? Right.
Once the "great wizard" is eliminated, the supernatural forces of his army will yield and fall, ending the worst era the Enchanted Forest has ever known.
"Regina's reign, was a walk in the damn park" the blonde thinks humorously.
A grunt of pain pulls her out of her thoughts.
Without looking around the alcove where they are sheltering, she close the distance, kneeling beside Regina. Before dying, the Sinister One's captain landed a solid blow to the brunette head, knocking her out for a few moments.
Luckily for Regina, she fell into Hood's arms, while Emma, seconds later, thirsty for revenge pierced the captain's heart, killing him instantly.
—She's fine —Hood reassures her.
Emma just nods, clenching her fists, trying to control her hands from caressing the face of the love of her life in front of her fiancé.
boom. boom. boom.
—Do you hear that? —the blonde asks, scanning the surroundings.
—I don't hear anything —Robin replies inspecting the room, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
Emma closes her eyes, focus on the sound.
— Emma, what...
— Shh. —calles her magic.
She turns her head to the left, allowing herself to be guided by that peculiar, distant, but persistent drum.
boom. boOM. BOOM.
Green orbs open instantly.
—There you are —hears her voice, but the sound feels like she's underwater. She doesn't know if it's her heart racing or the drum in front of her... well not a drum.
A heart.
On a golden table, a few steps away, rests under a glass the blackest heart her eyes have ever seen.
Hood's inhale lets her know he's also seeing the beginning of the end.
Green and blue orbs stare at each other, assimilating the situation. One of them must plunge the dagger of resurrection into the Sinister One's heart and the other will carry the badly wounded Regina, taking her out of the castle to be treated by the healers as quickly as possible.
Emma, Princess of the White Kingdom and General of the United Armies, issues her orders.
—Hood, no matter what you hear, what you see or what you feel, you will take Regina directly to the healers. You will not leave her side until she is completely healed and conscious —she demands— Swear to me that you will take care of her and love her not only today, nor tomorrow, but for the rest of your days —she looks at him firmly, making it clear that she will not accept even a hesitation in his answer.
Robin stares at her in silence. He's always known that Emma has loved Regina from the beginning. It isn't a secret to him, much less to the town, now kingdom. Everyone knows that Emma would give her life for the queen and come hell or high water she would stay by her side until her last breath. The Saviour doesn't care of the limits when it comes to Regina and their children, she would raise armies and kill entire legions for the brunette, as she has been doing these days.
"The Warrior Princess really loves her" Robin thinks. Although he madly loves Marian, he knows Emma's love for Regina is simply extraordinary and rare.
—I swear, Your Majesty —he brings his hand to his chest, his head nodding toward the princess and general.
The blonde nods, still piercing his soul with those fierce and defiant green eyes.
—What's going on? —asks a dizzy but annoyed Regina, finally conscious after the hard blow to her head. She watches Emma and Robin, both locked in a staredown, paying no attention to her, whispering to each other.
Before Regina can demand an explanation, a pair of green eyes settle on hers. Worry, fear and love clash in those green orbs, causing her heart to race and an inexplicable lump to form in her throat.
Something is wrong.
—Hood, give me a few moments with her —she commands without taking her eyes off Regina's, drowning in those brown orbs.
Robin, without saying anything, leans Regina against the wall. Standing up, he walks toward the balcony, closing the doors behind him, giving them as much space as possible for the last conversation between Emma and his fiancée.
It's clear that after this, he and Regina will have a serious conversation and even maybe taking a break. It's not easy to know that the woman his heart loves never belonged to him in the first place and if it weren't for the pixie dust (and let's face it, they probably made a mistake) they would be no love between them, and instead, the Princess of the White Kingdom and the Queen of the Dark Kingdom would not only be true lovers, but even soulmates.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emma sees a resigned and dejected Robin Hood leave the room. Without giving it any thought, she closes the distance, pulling the Queen onto her lap, face to face.
—Emma, I don't have enough energy to transport us when that heart of such darkness explodes —she informs her worried, unfazed that she's in the lap of the mother of her children.
Emma doesn't respond, busy analyzing and recording in her memory every single detail of the face of the woman she loves.
—Why are you looking at me like that? —the brunette asks in a small voice, not understanding why Emma is locking at her that way. It's been years since those green orbs showed her such a raw love.
Emma in complete silence takes Regina's hand, interlacing their fingers.
—I have loved you for thirteen years —she declares, feeling the warm air Regina exhales at the gasp of surprise. No one has dared to open that peculiar Pandora's box— It was never our time. My fears, our insecurities, trauma and some people at the time wouldn't allow it. But that doesn't matter anymore; it's in the past. You must promise me something, Regina —she asks, letting tears of anxiety, resignation and love escape from her eyes.
The Queen just nods. A lump in her throat prevents her from speaking without letting out heartbreaking sobs from the depths of her soul.
—Live as Regina, not all the time as the queen. Regina is enough. I know it sounds very selfish of me, but if you ever have more children, besides Henry and Hope —she hears a faint sob. The brunette has always treated the little blonde like her daughter, but from this moment on, the title is official— Tell them about me and I promise in return that when we meet in our next lives, I will do things right. Thirteen years won't pass by without you being my wife and officially the mother of my kids.
Regina, losing the battle, sobs, shaking her head. She refuses to accept Emma's farewell.
The Warrior Princess caress her cheeks, staring into those brown eyes once more.
—I loved you, I love you and I will love you beyond eternity. It has been my greatest honor and privilege to love you from afar, baby.
Regina throws herself into her arms, holding her with all her remaining strength, sobbing into her neck.
Emma asking Hood for forgiveness in her mind, will do something she's never done. She knows is wrong, but she refuse to leave this world without tasting the lips of the love of her life.
Gently, she separates Regina's head from her neck, holding her cheeks. She gazes lovingly into those water-filled brown orbs and, giving her the gentlest smile, slowly close the distance between their lips, leaving room for Regina in case she doesn't want it.
Feeling no resistance from her Queen (no surprise at all) she begins to close the distance.
Regina, desperate and knowing that time is precious, places her hands behind the blonde's neck, bringing her towards her lips, joining them for the first and last time in this life.
They've both been kissed more than once and have never felt anything out of the ordinary. However, in this moment, they understand when writers describe fireworks, electric currents and a swarm of butterflies when you kiss the person you love.
Emma, caressing Regina's lip with the tip of her tongue, asks permission to enter. The queen happily grants it, their tongue fitting so perfectly that it seems they were made for each other. Both of them commit to their memory the sabour, the texture and the softness of their lips.
They kiss slowly and passionately, sharing all the lost time. Giving their insecurities, fears, anger, jealousy and their very souls.
A blinding light explodes around them, illuminating the room.
If it were a fairy tale, that love would have destroyed the heart of pure evil, but unfortunately, it is the real world and not a fictional story.
The door of the balcony doors opens at once. Robin stares at them in resignation, a deep sadness in his blue eyes.
Their relationship may be over, but the most unfair thing is that Regina will never experience true love with Emma. Part of him would like to hate the princess for kissing his fiancée, but he can't. Robin feels great respect for Emma and the sacrifice, she will make for all of them.
Until the end of her story, The Savior.
Emma, not wanting to cause any more pain to the three of them, breaks the kiss, pressing her forehead to Regina's. Savoring her last minutes.
—Robin, it's time —Emma informs, wiping away the tears, in the next life, her wife.
—Time for what? —Regina whispers, caressing her neck, afraid to part from Emma. Don't caring that her fiancé is in the room.
—Time for this age to end —she says, lifting them both to their feet.
Robin moving closer, gently takes Regina's arm, ready for the painful but necessary escape.
—Remember your promise, Robin Hood.
—It has been an honor, Emma Swan.
Regina, understanding, tries to move away from Robin, but reading her mind, he pulls her against his body, holding her tight by the waist, unafraid to hurt her. True love's kiss has healed her wounds and bruises; however, the blood she lost still weakens her greatly, fortunately for him.
—No! —she roars furious— No one will die here! —she reprimands them both.
—Regina, you know there's no other way. My time has come —Emma says as if she were talking about the weather, downplaying the importance.
— Don´t you dare to....
-- BAM --
A loud, vibrating knock brings them back to their mission.
One piss of Sinister One is finally here.
Emma's protective barrier outside the door won't withstand another killer blow.
—I swear I will dismember you! — the Sinister One shouts, sending chills down their spines.
Robin, giving the savior one last look, carries Regina fireman-style to the balcony. A rope, prepared before, is waiting to take them straight to the castle's lifeless gardens. Hopefully, giving them enough time to save themselves from the blast.
—Emma no! —Regina screams, trying with all her might to break free from Robin, unable to. She's too weak to use her magic.
—I love you, Regina Mills —smiling at her, Emma unsheathes the resurrection dagger.
With one last look, the blonde runs to the table, breaking the glass.
-- BAM --
Feeling her heartbeat in the ears, Regina watches in slow motion as the Sinister One smashes the door, charging into the room.
He sees her tiny, black heart in the warrior princess's right hand. Unhinging his jaw, the Sinister One's throat emits a scream of rage so threatening it makes everyone's skin crawl.
Hood finally making sure he has a firm grip on the rope around their bodies, throws them into the void
—Emma, please! —brown orbs make contact one last time with the green ones.
Screaming, the Savior pierces the darkest heart.
A blinding light explodes inside the tower.
A resounding, thunderous crash is heard.
Black and white smoke paints the blue sky.
Robin falling first, quickly wedges Regina, placing her beneath him, protecting her from the debris.
For a moment, silence reigns.
Until the sound of falling metal resounds. At once, elated and jubilant screams fill the air.
The age of darkness is over.
—I'm so sorry, Regina —Robin whispers, feeling the spasms from the force of the Good Queen's sobbing.
They won, but what a cost they have paid.
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Hours, minutes or seconds could have passed and Regina Mills wouldn't have cared at all.
Half of her soul is lost. She doesn't know how she will live without her idiot.
Still breathing heavily, she stands up, ignoring her fiancé's worried gaze. The two begins to walk toward the castle entrance in absolute silence.
The charming, her son, Ruby and a few captains are already waiting for them. All in pain and wounds but in one piece.
—Mom! —Henry shouts, hugging her.
Unable to hold it back any longer, she sobs heartbreakingly, clutching Henry to her body. She doesn't know how she'll tell him that his idiot mother, the love of her life, sacrificed herself for them.
Everyone remains stunned by the Queen's grief, confused and puzzled by her behavior; only the Second-in-Command understands why.
—Tell me she didn't do it —Ruby pleads with tears in her eyes, but Regina, overcome with grief, pays no attention.
Ruby, needing an answer, lays her eyes on those of a resigned Hood, to which he only nods, confirming her fears. Unable to contain it, the wolf lets out a sob, covering her mouth and lowering her face to the ground, mourning the loss of Emma Swan.
Snow, watching the entire exchange, feels a knot in the center of her stomach; something has happened and her daughter isn't present.
—Where is my daugther —she demands.
Henry, not understanding, moves away from his mother, but when he senses such a profound brokenness in her soul, he detaches himself completely.
His anxiety shoots skyward. His heartbeat accelerates and he begins to spin in circles, searching everywhere for his other mother, struggling unsuccessfully to contain the flood in his eyes.
Regina, seeing the torment on her little prince's face, takes him by the shoulders and forces him to look at her, confirming his fears.
—No, mommy —he whispers like a 5-year-old boy, not like the 23-year-old young man.
Snow cries inconsolably into the chest of a silent but tearful Charming. Zelena hugs Ruby from behind, hiding her tears in her neck. She loves... loved the idiotic blonde as if she were her sister-in-law, and she was. She hoped that her stubborn sister would marry Emma in the not-too-distant future, giving her more Swan-Mills ducklings to corrupt.
The army, seeing the monarchs crying and not seeing their general, comprehend everything.
An overwhelming silence hangs over the air for minutes.
Captain Henderson, the one who hated the princess so much, but admired her in equal part, is the first to bury his sword and kneel. A symbol of honor among soldiers when one of their own, respected and loved, dies.
—Long live and eternal rest Emma Swan —he declares. His voice unwavering, despite the tears streaming down her face.
One by one, soldiers, generals and former prisoners; wounded, healthy, or weakened, kneel, burying their weapons.
—LONG LIVE AND ETERNAL REST EMMA SWAN.
They have saved the kingdoms, bringing peace at last, but they have paid a heavy price, for how many lives would have been saved if only they had thought of the other.
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The sun has set. The last rays illuminate the sky that would once have been a glorious sunset.
Ruby and Henderson roam the palace, making sure they leave no soul or heart behind before they destroy the castle from its foundations.
As they enter the hallway that leads to the room where Emma took her last breath, they both pause, tense and distressed.
Drawing strength from each other, they nod and enter, contemplating the scene.
Everything is in shambles.
The ceiling is nonexistent, there is glass everywhere, the room is burn and black. Is a deadly chaos.
—Good God —Ruby's disconsolate murmur makes Henderson look at her. The wolf is staring straight ahead, uncomprehending and follows the direction of her eyes. Now he is the one who lets out a moan of surprise and pain.
A wrapped bundle in the middle of the room catches their attention.
Breathing deeply and with blurred vision, Ruby approaches. Henderson, a step behind, closed his fist on the shaft of his sword, ready to defend them, but fearful of what.... Who is behind those curtains.
Black boots with a Swan on the ankle are visible.
Ruby brings her fist to her mouth, biting it, silencing her howl of pain. She feels Henderson's hand on her shoulder, giving her strength. Nodding after a few seconds, she inhales with force, kneeling down.
Slowly pulls back the curtain from the bundle, coming face to face with one Emma Swan.
She hears a faint sob behind her. Captain "Unbreakable" Henderson is crying for the first time in years.
Half of the blonde's face and part of her scalp are burned. Those defiant greenish orbes, stare up at the sky, static and lifeless.
Gently, she closes Emma's eyes and unable to contain it any longer, lets out a stifled screech of pain. She cradles her goddaughter's body into her arms, rocking her body like a newborn about to fall asleep.
—Fucking charming! —she scolds her desolately, combing her golden hair.
Ruby doesn't know how much time has passed, but breathing more easily, she places her lips on her princess's forehead.
—Until we meet again, Ems.
The captain, with tears streaming from his eyes, kneels. With a gesture, he asks the second-in-command to separate herself from the blonde and, with extreme delicacy, places a necklace around Emma's neck.
—As promised, My Warrior Princess. Your necklace safe and sound —the princess gave it to him before the battle, giving him orders to keep it safe, for the Good Queen had given it to her, and she didn't want to lose it on the battlefield for anything in the world.
—Give her this —a small voice interrupts them, scaring the shit out of them.
Ruby's eyes light up, her wolf ready to attack. Henderson stands up, his sword drawn defensively.
A tall, humanoid, but green creature with horns sprouting from its forehead and resplendent wings watches them.
—Who the hell are you? —Henderson asks tersely, without lowering his guard.
The creature crosses the room without answering, closing the distance. Ignoring Ruby's warning growl and not caring that the captain's sword is piercing their skin, they stands face to face with the savior's body.
—She saved Tubsy —they points to theirself— Tubsy wants to return the favor —opens their hand. A small, oballed, phosphorescent stone resides within it.
Sounds of amaze echo in the room
—The Stone of Life —Henderson whispers.
—Yes —the humanoid states— No time. Tubsy doesn't know if her skin will heal, but she breathe.
—Do it —a voice is heard behind them.
Once again frightened, all eyes turn to the doorway, looking at a devastated Henry
—Please, give me back my mama —he begs with tears running down his cheeks.
Ruby, feeling her heart break even more for her goddaughter's son, nods, convincing herself and the others that it will work.
Tubsy kneeling, stretchs out their arms, asking the werewolf to hand Emma over to they. She does so, observing every of their actions.
—Give Tubsy space —they asks. No one moves a muscle.
Henry still crying, but with increasing hope, does so.
—You heard him —Henry orders.
Not wanting to disobey their prince, Henderson and Ruby reluctantly and forcefully do so.
Tubsy tilts Emma's head back, opening her windpipe as much as possible. They inserts the stone, making sure it goes down until it descends into her esophagus.
—Emma Swan, I command you here —and before anyone can stop them, their arm takes off, slamming it down with such force into the body's abdominal cavity. It's a miracle that the blond ribs don't crack.
An intense green light shines, illuminating the bedroom and shaking the castle's foundations, alerting everyone around them.
For agonizing seconds, they wait, but seeing no signs of life, despair and pain fill their eyes with tears, defeated.
—I don't understand. Tubsy doesn't know what...
—AH!
Emma's sharp intake of breath echoes throughout the room. Green eyes open with life once more.
Feeling her face burning and her ribs hurting, Emma fixes her gaze on the humanoid.
—Tubsy, a person hugs to show their love, not punches —she chides weakly, as if they were a small child.
Tubsy just smiles at her. For many, it would have given them a heart attack, since Tubsy's teeth looked like piranha teeth, but for Emma, they only make her smile more.
She hears a faint whimpers to her left. Turning, she rests her eyes on a smiling and euphoric Ruby, Henry, and (she's probably drugged) Henderson.
—What the... — she doesn't finish her sentence when Henry and Ruby rush at her, hugging her and an uncomfortable, but docile Tubsy.
—Mom!
—Stupid blonde!
They both shout, deepening the hug.
Laughing softly, Emma hugs them back, trying to ignore the pain on her face, which grows more difficult to bear minute by minute.
A hand touches hers and she watches in surprise as Henderson nods at her, giving her a big smile. It's the first time she's seen him without an angry expression on his face.
—I love you guys, but I can't breath —she jokes.
They both step back and patiently help her stand. For minutes, she holds on to them, getting used to her center of gravity again.
She looks around, realizing she should be dead, but before she can ask why she's sore from the inside out, yet alive, a heartbreaking sob echoes from the doorway.
Regina, in the same battle clothes, covered in blood, with her hair disheveled and her eyes red from hours of crying, is the most beautiful woman Emma has ever seen.
—Hi, Reg —she says, looking at her lovingly and with a typical Emma Swan half-smile.
Regina, without waiting a second, runs into her arms. A happy, filthy, and uncaring about the pain on her face, Emma hugs her, lifting her off the ground.
Without expecting it, Regina takes her by the nape of her neck and places her lips on hers. She kiss, sucks, bits and warms them with her tongue, giving the blonde her pain, suffering, love, and passion since they last meeting.
A cough brings them back to reality.
Emma places Regina on the ground, putting her hands on the brunette's hips, not separating their bodies. She needs the touch of the love of her life like oxygen in her lungs.
—Oh darling, your face —Regina wants but doesn't dare to touch half of her face, for fear of hurting her.
Her green eyes search for a mirror and finding a piece in the corner of the bedroom, contemplate her aspect for the first time.
Half of her face is burned, her skin is red-hot and part of her scalp too. The hairs on her eyebrows are almost nonexistent, her eyelashes are better left untouched and the only thing left intact are her lips.
Before she can process her condition, a rough, wet tongue licks her face, covering it with thick, sticky saliva.
—Ew, Tubsy! —Disgusted, Emma tries to clean herself, but is stopped by Regina's hands, who look at her in wonder.
—Wow! —her son and her second in command express, also staring at her in disbelief.
The pain is over.
—Better this way and not like a chicken —Tubsy laughs humorously.
Green eyes look at her reflection. Her face is completely healed.
—Thanks Tubsy —she hugs them.
They just nods, their cheeks greener than their skin. Emma, separating from Tubsy, smiles lovingly and affectionately at Regina and Henry, both of them embracing each other.
—It's time to go —interlacing her fingers with Regina's and putting an arm around Henry's shoulders, they walks toward the exit.
Once everyone is in her line of sight, Emma leaves what was once her grave.
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The stars illuminate the clear night sky, as do the torches outside the palace.
—General! —someone shouts, causing all eyes to turn toward the entrance. All eyes reflect disbelief and surprise at Emma Swan, Warrior Princess of the White Kingdom and General of the Armies, once presumed dead.
—Mamma! —like the Red Sea, the crowd part. Hope runs, crying her heart out into her mother's arms.
Emma squats, lifting her 5-year-old blonde daughter into her body, cradling her.
—Tiger —Emma says lovingly, showering her with kisses, trying to reassure her.
Hope, separating herself from her mother's neck, places her hands on her cheeks, looking at her firmly, almost the same stare Regina used when she was the Evil Queen.
—Grandma and Pops said you were an angel. Mommy was crying and Henry was angry, crying too —she reproaches her indignant. Emma nods, validating her feelings.
—Tiger I was an Angel, but my friend, Tubsy brought me back —various exclamations of horror and admiration sound.
Now their gazes rest on the humanoid and their enormous eyes, with their small head that curiously matches its large, slender body.
Hope rests her greenish eyes on Tubsy's large turquoise ones. Tubsy gives her a small smile, nods.
The little blonde reaches out, asking to touch them. An awkward, but curious creature approaches, letting her touch their cheek.
—Thank you, Mr. Tubsy —the little princess thanks them, looking at them with admiration. Tubsy, dropping their head slightly, closes they eyes and nods.
After a few seconds, they separates, taking a few steps away from the family.
—Emma! —the Charmings shout in unison.
Regina quickly takes Hope from her arms and seconds later, David lifts Emma off the ground, spinning her around in the air and finally places her between Snow and himself.
They both hug her, showering her with kisses, to which Emma just laughs.
—Dad! Mom! I'm okay guys —she says, reassuring them, feeling her tears wet their blonde hair.
—I love you, Emma —Snow says. David, repeating the same words as his wife, kisses her forehead, breathing in her scent.
— Hey, you bloody wanker! —Zelena's irritated voice is heard.
Her parents, reluctantly separating, make space for the redhead.
Zelena stops in front of Swan and nods, giving her a firm punch in the arm. Emma doesn't even have time to complain as she's swept into a loving embrace.
—Blondie, you can't fucking leave her. She would die without you —she whispers, hiding her cloudy eyes— Besides, you can't leave this world without taking the Mills name —she threatens weakly.
—I know, big sis —she laughs.
—Yes, yes. It's nice to see you alive —Zelena, feeling she's shown too much weakness, steps away from the blonde and heads toward her wolf. She places a tender kiss on Ruby's lips, feeling at peace for the first time since this shit show began.
Emma smiles as she sees the scene between the Witch of Oz and the wolf.
Feeling a surge of love, she follows her heart, brown and green meet. Her Queen is holding their daughter and hugging their son.
Bridging the gap, she embraces them, inwardly thanking Tubsy and The One Above for a second chance.
—Long live General Emma Swan! —Henderson's voice booms. Drawing his sword, he strikes his armor and puts his sword into the ground.
—LONG LIVE GENERAL EMMA SWAN! —shouts the crowd, beating their swords on the ground, clapping their hands and whistling.
A lavender firework bounced across the sky. Hope, gigles give her away. A smiling Zelena follow her niece example, putting her own in the skies, followed close by Regina. Finally the crowd stop cheering and waits. Emma feels the eyes of the audience
—Rest in peace brave ones, you will not be forgotten. Welcome to the new era —with a smile and tears running down her cheeks, she raised her arm to the sky and with astonishing strength, the sky lit up with yellow and white fireworks.
For those who die. For those who live. For those who need hope.
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—Emma, time to sleep —hears Regina's voice behind her. Nodding, she covers the bodies, gently kissing Henry and Hope's foreheads, asleep in her bed.
Turning around, she sees the other end of the magical tent. There's only one single bed, where Regina sits waiting for her, silently gazing at her with those adoring brown orbs.
A few hours have passed since her resurrection and many are still celebrating, while others are resting or overseeing the camp security, still on the outskirts of the once Sinister One castle.
There are still a few hours before dawn. She has time to rest and regain strength with her family, as tomorrow will be a complex day. First thing in the morning, the Sinister One's castle will be destroyed, then a ceremony for the fallen will be held and once it's over, the entire battalion will be fed before they finally depart towards the kingdom, leaving this chapter in the past.
Curiously, she hasn't seen Robin Hood, which is odd, because as far as she knows, he would marry the woman she loves at the end of the war, beginning this new chapter as husband and wife. Which is why she hasn't dared to close the gap between them.
—We can't, Reg —says with distress. It would be so easy to kiss her and send everything to hell, but now she can't blame the adrenaline rush moments before her death, much less the "moment of her resurrection." The cruel reality is that, sadly, the brunette doesn't belong to her.
Without waiting for a reply, she shifts her gaze outside the tent, seeing Knox. Her faithful black horse, mounted and ready to leave for wherever his horse will take her for a few hours before the ceremony.
"It’s time to go, Swan" she convinces herself. She will leave but inside this tent, her heart and soul will stay.
—Regina, in a couple of days you will be a married woman. My heart won’t bear to hear you say yes. So, Hope and I will leave for the white kingdom before the wedding and Henry will stay with you this summer. Everything will return to normal —she informs hopelessly, tired and melancholic.
Regina, shaking her head vigorously and feeling a despair in her gut, closes the distance between them. Her lips touch those of her idiot, transmitting in that kiss her desperation, fears and adoration, communicating to her without words where her heart truly lies.
—You are an idiot, Emma Swan —she scolds her, tears streaming down her cheeks— When you died, Robin and I, by mutual agreement, called off our engagement and ended our relationship —she hears Emma's gasp of surprise— He knew I have always loved you, but as you said, our insecurity, time and the gossip around town never allowed us to be together. When he saw our true love kiss, he knew I'd never love him back, at least not the way I should have. He, Rolan and his men set off for another continent on Hook's ship in search of the adventure this afternoon.
Regina, still seeing the uncertainty in those greenish eyes, just like her children's, kneels, taking her hands.
—Emma Swan, I refuse to begin this new era without you. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, not this year, but will you do me the greates honor of marrying me? Because I dream of the day I'm introduced as Regina Swan-Mills, wife of the Warrior Queen of the Black and White Kingdom and the General of the Armies.
Emma with her vision clouded, kneels down, nodding several times. Kissing Regina but not depending the kiss, as her teeth click softly as they can't stop smiling.
—Emma Swan-Mills sound magnificent, My Queen.
Both calling upon their magic, they form a ring of light around their fingers. Emma's in purple while Regina's in gold.
Standing up, they alternate between loving kisses, without making love, for they are exhausted and their children are in the same room.
Approaching their children's bed, they look at each other, nodding.
—Beautiful, just like their mother —Emma says. Regina smiles at her, giving her a passionate kiss.
Holding hands, they expand the bed without disturbing their little ones. Positioning themselves on either side of the bed, Emma hugs Henry while Regina hugs Hope. Finally their bodies relax.
Holding their babies close and their hands intertwined, unconsciously their magic forms a protective circle around the Swan-Mills family.
There's a long road ahead, renovations to be made, burials and reconstructions to be done, but for now, all that can wait.
At last, The Savior and the one once called the Evil Queen are together with their children. They don't know it yet but in a few years, they will expand their family; their twins, Hunter and Hazel, will be born. The Swan-Mills dynasty will reigns until the transition to democracy. Their dynasty will be the most honest and peaceful era the Enchanted Forest has ever had.
And they lived happily ever after.