Loyalty
'Emma,' The Darkness whispers through her mind as she and Lily fly toward their revenge. 'Emma, you innately knew that what Regina said as I began to swallow her soul was right. She could hear my thoughts, as you can, now. You know that you and I were destined for each other, Emma. In a way not unlike how yourself and Regina are bound.'
The Dark Swan cocks her head as if trying to listen closer to the Darkness.
'I can sense her,' The Darkness hisses harshly. 'She lives! Because you sacrificed your soul to me in order to save hers! You love her deeply, dearie. I can still taste her lips and more after sampling your restored memories- You're welcome for those, by the way.'
Emma's mouth twitches a momentary smirk as she remembers the pleasant release of Regina's touch.
'If you care for Regina's safety, don't allow Lily to enter that loft,' The Darkness warns. 'Not to mention, us.'
For a brief moment, Emma breaks through and she worryingly glances down at Lily. But seeing the beastliness in her eyes reawakens the Darkness, and a thirst for blood courses through her so powerfully that she laughs out loud.
They approach the top levels of the apartment building and Emma's mania grows as the distance between them shortens and they finally collide.
Dark Swan and Lily crash through the living room window of the loft as Lily once again becomes human. The broken glass and hard fall do nothing to harm the two and they stand deliberately. Dark Swan turns toward the kitchen and regret consumes her as she sees Regina standing between her and her parents.
"Emma!” Snow calls, but Dark Swan can barely hear her.
A force unlike anything Emma has faced urges her to strangle Regina with her bare hands. The Darkness senses the goodness and light in Regina. It knows she can break the Dark Curse, and wants her destroyed. Emma’s vision begins to blacken as her heart beat climbs in her resistance of the Darkness. The tension and struggle within her nearly ceases her ability to breathe.
“Regina?” Dark Swan forces out with her heart having sunk to her gut and her throat closing, “What are you doing here?”
“What do you think, Ms. Swan?” Regina answers with a challenging expression.
“Step aside, Regina,” Lily demands as Snow and David grab onto each other tightly. “I appreciate your efforts in having found me, but do not stand in the way of my revenge.”
Regina smirks and lifts her head up high, “Make me, dragon bitch.”
Lily huffs out angrily and her eyes flash gold.
“Lily,” Dark Swan barks while keeping her gaze on Regina. She takes a strained, shaky breath and says, “You will not hurt her.”
Regina’s face softens as she looks at Emma quizzically.
“What? Emma…” Lily asks incredulously.
“I said you will not harm her,” Dark Swan stutters fervently, her core trembling in order to contain the Darkness. “That’s an order.”
Lily lets out a single, bitter laugh. “Fuck you, Emma," she spits, "I thought you were on my side.”
“And I thought this was ~our~ revenge, Lily,” Dark Swan growls in an attempt to manipulate her feelings and closes her eyes.
The trick fails. Lily ferociously charges Regina and before Regina has time to throw her first lit fireball, Dark Swan appears between them in a cloud of grey smoke. With a decisive motion, Emma grabs Lily by the neck and pulls her in closely. The twisted expression of tearful rage on the Dark Swan's face causes Lily to frantically claw at her blackening hand as the breath is choked from her. Emma grasps firmly onto Lily's heart and fights to pull it from her magical body.
Lily's eyes and face redden as her heart is ripped from her. Dark Swan possessively takes it to hold against her chest. She releases the choke hold on Lily, and brings that arm in front of Regina protectively.
"You're not harming any of us, Lily. That's an order," Emma commands shakily.
All Lily can do is stand perfectly still, petrified and forever unable to move of her own free will.
"Emma-" Regina starts boldly.
Immediately, she turns to faces her. "It's okay, Regina," she gasps desperately, "No one will hurt you. Don't you see?" she sobs quietly and brings her free hand up to stroke Regina's cheek. "I can't let them hurt you."
Dark Swan looks upon the frenzied face of Regina and watches as she notices the charcoal-blackness spreading toward her palms from her fingertips. Regina gasps and backs away from the darkening, ice cold hand.
"Don't worry," The Dark Swan whispers hauntingly.