Operation Red Fox

Chapter One: Going Home

A/N: Greetings swen nation. To start, I want to first make it known that this is not my original idea. It came from a confession from the Instagram account. I was inspired so now here we are. I have a complete outline of the story and it should end up being fourteen to fifteen chapters. Most early chapters will continue to follow the episodes, except with the necessary additions, though I will include my own original scenes to expand the world. In regards to Regina and Robin being soulmates, I have worked something out so yes, the prophecy still stands. Also, just to put it out there since the ship wars are still dragging on even after all these years, I respect every ship (except GoldenQueen of course. Ew.). I love outlawqueen, captainswan, and swanqueen. This fic is simply just a what/if scenario for fun. This story is also available on fanfiction.net if that is your preferred site for reading.

A little about me, I've written many fanfics in my time but eventually moved on to my original ideas. I'm currently writing a story titled The Rose Hotel (also on Wattpad; sorry not sorry about the self-promo) about two lesbian lovers and a murderous hotel owner set in the 1950s. Think Why Women Kill meets American Horror Story Hotel. Enough about me though. Enjoy.

Tears streamed down Regina's cheeks as she stood in front of her son and Emma, the thunder crashing in the background. Behind them and the other last remaining residents of the decaying town, green clouds slowly swallowed the sky, picking up every inch of the town and dissolving it as it sifted through the streets. Once the curse reached the town line, Storybrooke would be gone. Forever. Only existing in the memories of those who escaped its destruction and instead were brought back to The Enchanted Forest. Those who would now be cursed with the knowledge that two members of their family would not have the memories. Emma and Henry. They wouldn't remember. Not a thing. A complete reset. No way home, no way to break the curse, no more savior. No more hope.

No more Henry.

She thought of how miserable she had made the citizens of her kingdom during the curse. The same day on repeat with no beacon of hope for twenty-eight years. For twenty-eight years they suffered, and now here she was, forced to suffer just as they did, except there was no cure. There would be no end. However, there could be an end to both her son and Emma's.

"You can preserve our memories?" Emma asked, eyes red. Her arm was wrapped around Henry tightly. Though it appeared she did it to comfort him, it was for herself. Goodbyes had always been easy. Even moving out of the warmest foster home away from other kids she knew in a house that became familiar, leaving was never hard. Most places she didn't think about again. Now though, with her parents, in the town she had grown to love, surrounded by her family, friends, and memories of her own growth, she finally understood why goodbyes had never been hard. Those places she was leaving before... they weren't home. She didn't miss them. Never would. After years of searching, she had finally found home within the comfort of her family. And now that she was saying a final goodbye, to her parents, the town, and even Regina who was a foe not long ago, Emma found herself wishing more than anything she could stay. Wishing on impossible things for an impossible solution.

"No," Regina said, the wind raging on and getting stronger as the seconds seeped through time. "But I can give you new ones."

The blonde seemed hesitant for a moment, thinking of how miserable the townsfolk were for nearly three decades. She didn't want to be forced into the same cycle for the rest of her life. "Regina, you made them miserable."

"They didn't have to be. I had a choice then, and I have a choice now. I am going to give you good memories. A good life for you and Henry." As she sniffled, she reached her hand out to Henry who went by her side. "You'll have never given him up. You'll have always been together. Just you and him. You'll have been his mother from the very beginning."