Chapter Text
Zelena had chosen her. But that didn’t make Robin any less dead.
Regina collapsed next to Robin’s body, sobbing, and she felt Zelena come up behind her, hug her, and sob with her. Whether she was sobbing for the loss of Hades, the loss of Robin or Regina’s pain, she didn’t know. But despite the pain in her heart, she was glad that there was someone with her this time.
They sat there, crying, cradling Robin’s body. Regina didn’t know how long they were there. Then there was a clatter in the hallway, and sound of people rushing in, but stopping short at the door.
Regina looked up through her tears, and saw Emma and… Hook? How could that be? He had died. They had left him in the Underworld. But somehow he was back, while Robin was… gone. Oblivion. No afterlife. Fresh sobs threatened to rise up, but she held them back.
“What are you doing here, Miss Swan?” Regina asked crisply.
“The protection spell came down, and then Hook appeared, and we came…” Emma trailed off.
“Hades is dead. Zelena killed him. But not before he obliterated Robin’s soul. He… he was aiming for me. But Robin stepped in front of me… took the hit…” Despite her attempt to clear her emotions, the sobs came back.
Emma crouched down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry Regina. I didn’t intend for this… for any of this… to happen.”
“I’m sorry too.” Hook said. “I never asked for any of this trouble on my account. He was a good man, your majesty, and I grieve for him.”
“How did you come back?” Regina asked, looking up at him. “You died. Your body rotting away up here. You stayed in the Underworld. But somehow you’re here. Standing in front of us now.”
“Zeus. Nice chap. He… I walked into the light, and he was there, meeting me. He said that because I helped defeat Hades, that I could have another go of it.”
“Zeus.” Regina contemplated. “Of course.” She rested Robin’s head back on the ground gently, and crawled over to the pile of ash that used to be Hades. She dug around in the dust, coming up with a piece of the Olympian Crystal.
Regina stood up, holding the Crystal, brushing the remaining ash off of her skirt. Then she looked over at the other three, crowded around Robin’s body.
“I’m going to get Robin back.”
“Regina… you know what that Crystal did.” Zelena said. “What it did to Robin. What it did to Hades. There’s no one to get back.”
“I refuse to believe that.” Regina said, clutching the Crystal. “Oblivion is not an option. If Zeus could bring Hook back, he can bring Robin back. Or at least give him the afterlife he deserves. Robin died for me. He sacrificed himself for me. That’s True Love. And True Love is the most powerful magic of all. Combined with the strength of a god… it could be possible. Robin deserves better than oblivion.”
Emma stood up and walked over to Regina, grabbing her arm. “Regina, listen to yourself. You’re grieving. Why do you think it could work?”
“Hope!” Regina yelled. “That thing your entire insufferable family keeps telling me about. If there’s ever been a time for it, it is now, Miss Swan. Now get out of my way.”
Emma looked uncertain, but didn’t loosen her grip.
Regina softened her voice as she felt hope surging through her veins. “Look, Emma. I taught your mother about True Love. And then I lost it. Then I lost hope, but with your mother’s help I found it again. And True Love. I believed. I believe now. I am not going to lose my second chance. You lost your love. But you held onto hope, you went to the Underworld, you got your pirate back. Now get out of my way and let me find my thief. I’m going to Olympus. I’ll fight Zeus himself if I have to.”
“Fine, then I’m coming with you.” Emma said.
“No. You’re not. This is a one-woman job. You and Zelena can help me preserve Robin’s body, and you maintain the preservation spells until I get back. But I am going alone.”
Regina, Zelena and Emma combined their magic to cast a powerful preservation spell over Robin’s body, and then Regina stepped back, closing her eyes, focusing on the Crystal in her hand.
“So how do you plan to get to Olympus, your majesty?” Hook asked. “Portals to the godly realms are not easy to come by.”
Regina held up the Crystal. “This comes from Olympus. It will be able to open a portal to take me there. Now step back.”
Regina went into the centre of the room, clutching the Crystal in both hands. As she powered up her magic, the Crystal levitated into the air, but then dropped back into her palms.
“I… I don’t understand. That should have worked.” Regina said.
“I’m sorry, Regina.” Emma said. “I really am.”
Zelena stood up and glared at Emma. “Save your sorries. Regina, let me help you. We can open that portal together.”
“If it works, it will take you to Olympus too.”
“As it should. It’s my fault Robin is dead. I believed Hades over my own sister. I shouldn’t have done that. Now my daughter has lost her father. I will be there with you. I understand you don’t want the Saviour to come. But please, let me.” Zelena grabbed Regina’s hand and held it tightly.
Regina swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay. But just us.”
Zelena nodded in agreement, and looked at Emma. “Take care of my daughter? Protect her until we come home?”
“Of course.” Emma said, looking over at the baby.
Zelena let go of Regina’s hand and went over to her daughter, kissing her on the forehead. “And if we don’t come back… name her Robin. He would have wanted it that way.”
“Take care of Henry.” Regina said. “Tell him I love him.”
“I will.” Emma smiled. “Good luck.”
Regina and Zelena both held onto the Crystal, levitated it into the air, and were then knocked back by the power of the portal opening. They stood up, holding each other’s hands. They cast one glance back at Emma and Hook, and then jumped into the portal together.
* * * * *
Regina and Zelena landed on a marble floor in a sweeping temple. Their arrival startled a young man standing next to what looked like an eternal flame.
“How did you get in here?” He demanded to know. “No living mortals can come to this realm.”
Regina held up the Crystal that had landed in her hand as the portal closed behind them. “This is an Olympian Crystal. It brought us here.”
“Where did you get that?”
“Hades. Who is now dead. He killed my soulmate, my True Love with it. Robin. Obliterated his soul to nothingness. I’m here to bring his soul back.”
“What makes you think Olympus can do that?”
“Robin sacrificed himself for me. That’s what True Love is. Sacrifice. And it is also the most powerful magic of all. I believe that the power of True Love and the power of Zeus combined could restore Robin’s soul. Bring it back from oblivion.”
The man came closer to them, surveying both of the women.
“You love this man. As much as he loved you.”
“With all my heart. I will do whatever it takes to bring his soul back.”
“And what about her?”
“My sister. Zelena. She’s here to help.”
“I killed Hades.” Zelena said.
“We know. We are grateful for that. He had lost his way.”
“So, where can we go to talk to Zeus?” Regina asked. “To see if he can help restore Robin’s soul.”
“It’s not that simple, Regina.” The man said. “Can Zeus do what you ask? Yes he can. But you need to prove yourself first.”
“Tell me what I need to do. I’ll do it.”
“To reach Zeus, you need to go through the other eleven Olympian gods first. Each of them will have a test for you. It will take an incredible strength of will to get through those eleven tasks, as well as the task that Zeus sets before you himself. If you complete all twelve, Zeus will hear your request.”
Regina took a deep breath and nodded. “Where do I start?”
The man waved his hand and a iron-railed gate covered with vines appeared between two of the marble pillars.
“Through there.”
Regina gave Zelena a hug and handed her the Crystal. “Wait here. For as long as it takes.”
Zelena nodded. Regina took another deep breath and stepped towards the gate.
“You can’t go alone.” The man said.
Regina turned back to face him. “What do you mean?”
“Love does not exist in a vacuum. To love truly, to love with the strength that you need for the tasks ahead, you need love with you. Your sister must go with you. If you are pure of intent and open to love, only then will you be able to open that door.”
Zelena took Regina’s hand. “Told you that I needed to come with you on this journey. We can do this.”
With one last look at the man, the sisters walked towards the iron gate. They turned the handle together, and the door opened with a loud vibrating groan, revealing only pure white light beyond.
Zelena looked at her sister. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Regina said firmly. "Let's go."
Regina and Zelena stepped into the light, to meet the first task beyond.