Once on Instagram II

Changelings

sometimes the world seems against you
the journey may leave a scar
but scars can heal and reveal just where you are

~

"I've been doing some research on dark vs light," Belle began, "and I believe there are two ways to defeat a person's dark side once separated from their body. The first involves teamwork between the light side and the dark side's worst enemy, and the second involves recombining the light and dark, but it requires agreement on both sides."

"So we need Hyde's worst enemy," Zelena reasoned. "And we need him or her to work with Jekyll to defeat him."

Belle nodded. "So I'm thinking Hyde's worst enemy is probably either Regina or the Dark Swan, but--"

"No," Gold interrupted. "I think his worst enemy is probably me." Everyone turned to look at Gold, confused, so he continued speaking. "It makes the most sense that the 'worst enemy' would be a common enemy shared by both the light and dark side, making it even harder to defeat whichever side you've set out to defeat."

"And what would make you that enemy?" Snow prompted.

Gold looked down. "Before the first Dark Curse, I found my way to the Land of Untold Stories while searching for a way back to Neal. I was under the impression that Hyde would have something that could help me, but he was withholding information. So I...killed his fiancée and left."

Before anyone could speak, the doors of the library burst open and the Dark Swan entered, followed by Lily. "I've gotten word that you're planning on defeating Hyde."

No one spoke, because no one knew what response would be least likely to cause harm.

A grin spread across the Dark Swan's face. "Well, we're here to help. Hyde and Jafar have betrayed me and gone after the soulmates. You see, I'd thought they'd be okay with just Jasmine and Aladdin, but it turns out, they want the Locksleys even more. They're holding Cora, Henry Sr, and another unknown woman hostage."

Regina stood up immediately, as did Zelena, but Robin stopped Regina from moving and Zelena hesitated when she saw Regina was being restrained.

"Where are they?" Robin asked as he struggled to keep Regina from breaking free.

"I'll show you."

~

"We have to split up here," the Dark Swan said at a fork in the path. "Regina's parents are to the right and the other woman is to the left. Hyde could be in either direction or somewhere else entirely, but we should probably separate Regina and Robin just in case. That way Hyde can't get his hands on both of you."

Regina looked up at Robin.

"You're going to be okay, Regina."

"But Robin..."

"I believe in you. You won't be alone, you'll have Emma."

"I'm worried about you!"

"I'll be okay too. I'll talk to you the whole time if you'd like."

Regina gave Robin a small smile before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Then she stepped backwards to distance herself from him.