Serendipity

Chapter 16: Lily

At Granny's diner, Emma is talking with Hook, Regina, Mary Margaret, and David."I'm going after Gold. He made this happen. He needs to answer it. I am angry but that doesn't mean he's gonna get what he's after. Do I wish I could change what I did to Cruella? Yes. But that's regret, not darkness. I think we've all done things we regret. Right now, we need to focus on one thing... How to keep Gold and the Author from causing any more damage."

It is then when Maleficent enters."I might be able to help with that. It now appears we have a common foe... Rumplestiltskin."

"He resurrected you."Mary Margaret said.

Maleficent shrugged."To help himself, not me. Cruella's death only confirmed that. I hear, your daughter has a real talent for finding people."

"Yeah, I do. Who do you want found?"

"My daughter."Maleficent answered," She survived the journey to this land... The journey you sent her on. You want to prevent Rumplestiltskin from achieving whatever he wants. What better way than leaving this town and helping me?"

"What do you know about her?"

"Just what the Dark One showed me..."Maleficent replied," That she was banished to this world 30 years ago, to a place called Minnesota, where she was adopted by a couple. And they named her Lilith"

Regina joins Emma."Ain't fate a hellhole? You know this girl. How? Oh wait, she's the one you told me about. Who you said you pushed away?"

"Yes, but how is this possible? Of all the kids in the world, the one I end up friends with is the one my parents banished?"

"Emma, there are powers beyond our understanding, and your parents messed with them," Regina said.

"So the only friend I ever had wasn't even my friend by choice."

"I know."Regina replied," It hurts, doesn't it? I've been there, too. Do you think it was a coincidence that I just so happened to adopt the savior's son and daughter? Our actions are our own, but fate pushes us. Maybe it's time to push back."

"How?"

Regina couldn't help but laugh at Emma's question."Well, I have to go to New York to rescue Robin from my insane sister, and you have to find this girl to redeem your parents and show Gold he's wrong about you... That he can't change you. What do you say we help each other? And maybe you don't need me, but perhaps I need you. You lived in New York. I've barely been outside of Storybrooke. How about it, Swan? How about we make today the day we both leave fate?"

Emma and Regina say goodbye to Hope and Henry as well as David, Hook, and Mary Margaret."Be good, kids. I'll see you when I get back."

"Be careful, Swan."Hook said," As someone who started on the side of good and went dark, take my advice... Vengeance is tempting. The darkness always is. Resist it. I didn't have anything to live for. You have your parents, Henry... Hope."

"You."

"Aye... Me."Hook added," And I, you. That's what's kept me on my path now. Use whatever it takes to stay on yours."

They kiss and she returns to Regina's aid."I'm not going into a land without magic without bringing some of our own. The Snow Queen's scroll... In case we have any trouble getting through the cloak put around this town. Emma: Sounds good. Let's get out of here."

Regina and Emma get in the yellow bug."One of my contacts found an address. But it's five years old in Lowell, Massachusetts, which is less than 30 miles outside of Boston, which is where I lived five years ago. Lily and I grew up in Minnesota, separated as kids, and ended up living less than an hour apart as adults?"