Dark Swan Redemption

First Stage: Denial

Hey everyone! This is the first time I have written a Fanfiction. So I would appreciate it if you guys could give me feedback whether it be positive or negative. This story will be primarily about Swan Queen and Dark Swan. I will be using references for the show and the story line they have created but this is mostly AU.
(I do not own Once Upon A Time or the characters that are within the show. I do no receive benefits from this story nor do I have creative input in the Once Upon A Time universe)
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"It's Emma's heart we're trying to protect, not mine!"

That's what Regina wanted to believe and wanted so desperately for others to believe as well. But truth be told, it was her heart she was protecting. Emma was her heart even though she would never admit it. The darkness formed a home so easily within Regina and she would do anything to stop that from happening to Emma. But nothing seems to be working, she keeps hitting dead ends. Robin Hood isn't making it any easier, he just doesn't understand what's at stake. You would think someone who has held Regina's heart in their hands, would understand what makes it tick, what it truly wants. Instead he thinks he is the one, the light within Regina's life when the only thing that brings light to her life is the Saviour. Without Emma, the person that she has become would not exist and the Evil Queen would still be supreme. Regina feels guilty knowing that she gave up her life to save hers. Regina knows she is not worthy of that kind of sacrifice. She would gladly hold the darkness, something that is way too familiar to her. Something so evil should not be able to make a home within something so pure. This was not Emma's destiny and Regina is willing to risk her life on that statement.

As the search went on, Regina never lost hope. Even though she had tried every avenue. She's tried commanding her, she tried every incantation, every potion, and every enchanted item to bring Emma home. To bring her back to Regina. She will not give up until she knows that Emma is safe. All of this has taken a toll on her mental health, she hasn't slept in days, and this is causing her to lose sight of the line between reality and her own mind. She remembers one night, Emma appeared in the dark corners of her room. She stepped out of the darkness like it was obeying her every command. She just stood there and stared, without movement, without sound. Without hesitation Regina stood up, her spine tingling and her hairs on end. Her mind was racing through every explanation, not being able to pin down a single thought.

Why is she here? Is this just my mind? Oh please be real.

"Emma?" Regina said in disbelief, rubbing her eyes as she inched closer. Emma stared, no sign of a reply. "Is it really you?" Regina stepped closer until she was a couple of feet away. Emma didn't blink, she just stood there as if her soul had left her body. Just seeing Emma like this sent chills down her spine. Regina stood there and took in the woman in front of her. Emma looked different, like she had been through hard times. Her hair was one shade away from grey and tucked into a messy bun. Her eyes were dark as if the light had been drained from them. Her body looked skinnier, more defined than usual, like she hasn't eaten for days. This was an Emma, unknown to Regina, unknown to a world full of love and hope. Regina looked down and took a deep breath, she could smell Emma's perfume, at least one thing stayed the same. Regina breathed in again, as if it was her oxygen. Emma's mouth twitched at the reaction, slowly turning into a smile. Emma looked Regina up and down, but not in the way Regina had hoped. But in a way a lion would look at their prey. The smiled turned into a smirk and her eyes turned a shade darker. Regina knows that look, she used to use it as the Evil Queen. It's meant to instil fear in the opponent. Regina stepped back, and Emma stepped forward. Regina took another long stride back, Emma simply followed with another step forward. It was like a game of cat and mouse and for once Regina was the mouse, ready to be trapped. Regina took one more step back, hitting the folded corner of the rug. She fell back onto the floor, scrambling to get up. As soon as Regina had regained her composure, she looked up. Emma had disappeared and the familiar smell had dissipated. Emotions weld up within Regina and she broke down in tears. She slowly slid down the wall, until she was sitting on the floor with her knees up to her chin.

It was just a trick, Emma was never really here, how could I be so foolish to give in to such an idea.

"Emma" Said Regina in a breathless sigh.