A loud thunderous boom sounded on the battlefield, as hundreds of sharp, pointed icicles rained down on the soldiers like arrows.

"Shields up!!" Mulan commanded to her men.

The defining sound of shattering ice could be heard for miles, as the icy arrows slammed across thousands of the Queen's shields.

"What are these creatures?!" Red asked between breathes as she regrouped with Mulan and the rest of the men.

"These soldiers make up The Army of The Dead.." Mulan answered, almost yelling the words as she bobbed and weaved between blows, "Call them Chernabog's Henchmen if you like.. These soldiers were at one time noble honorable men, turned bad by greed and power. They're now Cursed to spend eternity in the depths of hell, only allowed leave to serve the demon, Chernabog."

"Mulan! Look out!" One of the Queen's knights exclaimed.

Able to defend herself at the last second, Mulan raised her sword to block the mighty blow that came from one of the cursed soldiers. The powerful burst of energy intended to strike the warrior was deflected back onto the soldier, freezing him solid.

"This will not be as easy as we thought," Mulan said to herself, thrusting her katana and slicing the ice demon at his knees. As large, crumbling ice fell into a heap she continued, "But.. not impossible. What must be done, will be done!" She added, charging closer to the enemy.

Ruby, once again in her wolf form, took another demon soldier down, sinking her sharp fangs into the soldier's knee.

As he fell to his death, the creature exclaimed aloud, "This war... is not over.."

"For you, creature of death," Ruby replied, "it is."

*****

"Are you certain this will work, Maleficent?" The Queen questioned as they ventured deep into the Enchanted Forest.

The air had become cold and crisp as the evening wore on. Maleficent pulled the collar of her cloak tighter around her as she walked.

"Mmm.." The witch replied, "indeed.

You needn't worry your dark heart, my dear."

Regina, weary of the witch, trailed slightly behind her. Given their past, and all she'd done to her and Aurora.. Regina wouldn't be so foolish to think revenge was never served at Maleficent's table.

As the two sorceresses ventured deeper into the forest, it became colder and darker still. Low hanging branches pulled at their hair, and snagged at their clothing, further irritating Regina.

Suddenly, Maleficent extended her arm, holding Regina back, "Just a moment.. did you hear that??"

Puzzled, The Queen replied, "Hear what?"

"Sshh! There it is again!"

Frozen in her steps, Regina paused squinting her eyes, eager to hear what Maleficent was going on about. Feeling foolish and growing impatient, The Queen turned to Maleficent, who was still quite motionless, trying to pinpoint what she sensed.

"Stop fooling around!" Regina demanded, "There's nothing here! Nothing at all! In fact-"

Like a freight train coming to a halt, The Queen's words were trapped in her throat.

In a puff of dark purple smoke, Regina saw the face she longed to gaze upon once more, only this time, that face held sadness, anguish, revenge and fear.

"Emma..."

The blonde darted her attention toward the Queen's voice with a furrowed brow. Seeing both Regina and Maleficent standing there, side by side, Emma sneered, "You just can't leave me alone, can you Regina?"

Regina's eyes went wide.

Unflinched, Maleficent stood tall, speaking before giving Regina the chance, "Now, listen here, Emma, is it? Perhaps this is all just a big misunderstanding.."

But before she could finish her sentence, Emma quickly thrusted her left arm outward, and to the side, causing Maleficent to be violently thrown against a grouping of tall trees in the near distance. Before her body even fell to the ground, Emma raised her right arm, causing Regina to be lifted off the ground in front of her. As Regina's feet dangled in the air, Emma slowly closed her fist, causing The Queen to grab at her throat, gasping for air. "...Emma.. Emma, please.." Regina gasped, but it was no use. Emma only squeezed tighter "Shut. UP!" She replied, "You... You killed my family! My only chance of life long happiness was ripped away. Because. Of. YOU!"

Like the sound of snapping twigs under someone's boots, the bones in Regina's neck began to crack, one by one.

Just as Emma was about to snap The Queen's neck in two, she felt a strong jolt of heat and electricity violently course through her. It was as if she were struck by lightning. The very force of this power knocked the blonde off guard, breaking the connection between her and The Queen.

"FOOL!" Maleficent yelled toward their direction, the blast seemingly coming from the orb atop her staff, "Chernabog needs Regina ALIVE! The beating heart of The Queen is the final ingredient of all we've worked so hard for!"

At the same time, Regina's body hit the cold, hard ground. As she gathered her surroundings she was beginning to understand what was going on in front of her.

What the fuck.. Maleficent?? Could she really be working with the demon as well??

"You must be fucking joking..." Regina said as she stood, dusting the dirt off herself. "I knew I couldn't trust you, Witch!"

Maleficent rolled her eyes, "I don't want your fucking trust Regina! I. Want. Your. Magic! You absolute Power!"

"Hahahaha!" The Queen cackled, "And you honestly think he will let you have it? Maleficent, please!Don't make me laugh."

"You think you're so high and mighty Regina, you always have." Maleficent explained, "But the truth is nobody loves you, no one. I mean, really darling, even your little pet here came to her senses and realized what a terribly dark heart you have!"

Maleficent inched closer to The Queen, walking past Emma as she continued, "You wouldn't know what true love was if it smacked you in the face, Regina!"

The Queen glanced quickly in Emma's direction when Maleficent said this.

She studied the blonde's face noticing Maleficent's words struck a nerve deep within her. Emma was not pleased.

"Emma..." The Queen called to her hoping she had snapped out of it, however, Emma remained silent.

"You see, dear?" Maleficent asked, "Nobody gives a damn!"

"Maleficent.. I know we've never truly seen eye to eye.. and I don't expect you to have any mercy on me, especially given what I've put you and Aurora through -"

"SILENCE! You don't speak of her name!" Maleficent replied, angrily slamming her staff into the ground causing the orb to catch flames.

"You don't ever get to speak of my daughter's name!" She continued.

Pointing the staff in The Queen's direction, the force of the flames shot out, slamming Regina up against a tall, wide tree.

Both Emma and Maleficent advanced in The Queen's direction, "Bind her."

Emma commanded of the witch.

Regina's eyes went wide as Maleficent smiled. Raising her staff once again, Regina could feel the glowing green flames encircle her wrists, raising them above her head, and magically binding them to the tree. The binds were painfully tight, and Regina struggled to break free, but it was no use, the binds were like fiery steel chains. Every twitch, snag and pull of her wrists was met with sharp, hot pain that burned over her skin.

"Aww.. what's the matter Regina?" Maleficent mocked. Gently coddling The Queen's chin she continued, "I always thought you enjoyed a bit of pain.."

Furiously angry, Regina spit in the witch's face,"Fuck. You, Maleficent."

"Oh, I'm flattered, but no thank you my dear," the witch replied, "You're not really my type."

"Aaarrggggghhhhaaaawwrrr!!!"

The Queen screamed, roaring about as loud as she possibly could in frustration.

The color in her eyes beginning to take on its bright purple glow. "I will destroy you! All of you!!" The Queen bellowed, "Once I am free from here, your final breath will be used to beg for my mercy!!"

Before Maleficent could reply, the three women heard the loud, thunderous laugh of Chernabog just overhead.

"I am always curious to know," the demon boomed, "Why must my children quarrel?"

"We are not your children, but your hostages," Maleficent snapped, "you gave me your word that my daughter and I would be spared of your end game if I helped you find what you needed. Don't forget that."

"Enough bullshit!" Emma proclaimed, "Let's just get on with it."

Chernabog looked on as Emma and Maleficent turned to face Regina again.

"Get on with what?" The Queen asked frantically, "What are you going to do exactly??"

Maleficent only smirked, remaining silent as Emma stood inches from Regina, still bound to the tree.

A deep look of concentration crept across the blonde's face. Slowly, Emma placed her right hand on Regina's chest, making sure to apply intense pressure through her fingertips right over The Queen's racing heart.

A look of horror washed over Regina's face as she pleaded, "Emma please, please don't do this! I'm begging you.. I know I've hurt you, I don't expect forgiveness.. but this.. Chernabog is no different than any other evil in this world. Why are you helping him??!"

Emma glanced up at The Queen as she pressed her long, thing fingers into Regina's chest, "I thought I told you to shut up."

Tears began to well in Regina's eyes. At this point, it was unclear if her tears were that of sadness or caused by the sheer pain of Emma, ripping and tearing her heart right from her chest.

The Queen struggled to keep hold of her heart. As Emma pulled, tightening her grasp around it, The Queen squinted in anguish, focusing every ounce of magic she had left to keep her heart in her chest.

Suddenly, a look of calm washed over Regina's face, and she stopped struggling. Noticing the difference in her, Emma looked up, meeting her gaze.

"Emma.." The Queen began, "I have lived most my life with regret, sadness, and fear that I would lose my kingdom. I constantly watched my back for the knife to find me. In doing so, I gave up any chance for friendship, trust or any true love at all, because power, magic, and authority were all too important to me..."

Emma looked on as Regina continued, "But then.. well, then I met you."

A soft smile formed over The Queens soft, supple, red lips, "You entered my life and I have never experienced a greater love, for you and the world around me. I turned my back on everything I knew and lost before, always with the assumption that my dark heart would die alone. But, I want you to know, that having known you, and having spent part of my life with you, has given me a reason to live again."

Regina winced in pain as she was losing the battle for her heart.

"Emma, i love you.. I once swore to you that I would give you my heart.. and I intend to keep that promise, because I know.. I know you'll do the right thing.."

On that final word, Regina let go of the hold on her heart, allowing Emma to pull it from her chest completely as she slumped over against the tree.

With tear filled eyes, Emma stared at the bright red heart as it pulsated in her hand.

"HA HA HA HA HA!!!" Chernabog jeered, "At long last! It is all mine!"

Emma turned to face the demon, her body full of emotion. Regina was gone from this world, her last dying breath was the hope of trust instilled with the blonde.

"What.. what is this.. this feeling, inside.." Emma said to herself, confused.

Ever since finding out The Queen was the reason she grew up an orphan, raised by her small village, all she could think about was revenge. How wonderful it would feel to do to Regina, what she had done to her, and countless others... but.. all Emma could feel now, was more sadness, regret, and a dark coldness inside.

She was more sad that Regina was gone, than she was before. Emma stared again at the cold, wet organ held between her fingers, her brow knitted together in thought.

Chernabog outstretched his clawed hand toward her.

"Go on then," Maleficent urged her, "Go on and give it to him!"

The demon creepily smiled, his wings flapping behind him, fangs out, and eyes aglow.

Taking one last look at Regina, her body slumped over, motionless, Emma felt her own pain and sadness swirl in her chest.