The Final Proof

*A lot of people have come up with this theory, but it’s so perfect I had to write it down.

They say you learn the most from your mistakes. Mine came as I was watching “Murder Most Foul” and Charming said this:

I hadn’t really been paying enough attention to realize that he was talking about the sleeping curse that the Evil Queen had placed on him and Snow, so my mind immediately went to: What other curse needs to be broken? Luckily for me there is another curse that needs to be broken. Many of you know this, but it’s the curse that is keeping everyone in Storybrooke.

What we don’t realize is which part of the curse is still active. It’s not the dark aspects of the Dark Curse - that was broken by Emma as was prophesied/dictated by Rumpelstiltskin. No, it’s the other part that the pesky imp created that is trapping everyone here still.

The Savior curse. Think about it. The only reason Emma Swan is the Savior is because Rumplestiltskin made it so. In theory, Emma was no longer supposed to be the Savior after she broke the Dark Curse. Everyone was supposed to go back to where they were from, but that didn’t happen. Which means what? That portion of the curse, that tiny little drop, is a curse all in itself, and it too needs to be broken. When it is, Emma’s fate as the Savior will be broken; she will live.

Now you ask: But Emma was given the Shears of Destiny or whatever to cut herself from her fate and no longer be the Savior and she didn’t take it!

Well, we know how Rumple’s curse works right? A pair of pretty scissors wouldn’t break this curse because only one person has that power: Emma herself.

We’ve come full circle. Once upon a time Adam and Eddy pitched the idea that the curse would take seven years to fully break. Now we’ve reached that point. Once Emma breaks the Savior curse, Rumple’s spell that he placed on her life will break. Her Hero’s Journey will be complete, and she will return to her life in the real world, where no one needs her to protect them.

(I’ll come back to this in a minute)

So we know what needs to happen. Here I take it a step further and answer:

How?

It turns out that we have that answer too:

Ah yes. True Love. Here’s where I know I’ll lose half of you because “Once Upon a Time is obsessed with Captain Swan. Why can’t you see that, you’re blinding yourself, stop perpetuating nonsense, wake up blah blah blah blah.”

Well, I’m going to counter that with: Why is Emma still the Savior then? If Once Upon a Captain Swan is genuinely the entire point of this show, why is Emma still fated to die?

Answer: You can’t break a curse where you’re the Savior of the fairytale characters with one of the said fairytale characters.

Here you respond again with: “Well, Smartypants, you call yourself a Swan Queen shipper, but you’ve just contradicted yourself. You think the Evil Queen can break the curse with Emma? She’s a fairytale character too!”

Well, reader, you are very clever indeed. But shall I provide you with my next exhibit:

While it was super fun to watch, Split Queen was not just done for the optics. It was a setup for endgame. The Evil Queen may be a fairytale character, but Mayor Regina Mills (like Emma and Henry) is a completely original creation of our world. Which means, like Emma, the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White, she can live a completely normal life outside of the Enchanted Forest.

I was trying to figure out the purpose behind bringing Wish Robin Hood back, and this line really explains it:

The writers are priming us for a much bigger version of this concept. Robin is the first test of the portal system. Will it allow someone who isn’t supposed to be “real” stay in the “real world”? We know Storybrooke, by our standards, isn’t a real place, it’s a refuge for fairytale characters from many realms, so it makes sense that he passes the test in this case, but what about Regina? Will she, a person who isn’t supposed to be real, be allowed to live somewhere like Boston or New York if Storybrooke doesn’t exist. This first trial proves that yes, she will be able to because something about her is connected to our world (that thing is literally the writers themselves). They have Regina grapple with this issue- Why was wish Robin able to come here?- because she’s next, and she needs to know that she’ll be okay when she tries to stay in this world.

If Regina remains unconnected to the Evil Queen, she should be able to help Emma break the curse and remain in this reality. Will it really be True Love’s Kiss that frees Emma from the Savior Curse and sends everyone to where they belong?

I would hope.

I also hope that I’ll find $2000 on the street tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen.

But it’s certainly the most reasonable solution since literally every curse is broken with True Love’s Kiss…

Have you ever wondered why there’s never been a True Love’s Kiss with Emma & her parents or Emma with Hook? Perhaps part of that is because True Love’s Kiss can only work with people who are from the same reality. Since Regina had True Love’s Kiss with Henry, that means she’s a part of his reality. Part of her belongs in our world. Emma has never shared True Love’s Kiss with Hook because he isn’t a part of her reality. He’s still a fairytale character. They can get married, she can choose that life, but that means she will remain tied to her fate as the Savior. She will always be connected to the Fairytale world. She will eventually die for them.

But if somehow, Regina Mills is Emma’s true True Love; if two “real people” who were created in this world- Emma Swan the bail bonds person, and Regina Mills the Mayor- shared True Love’s Kiss (not saying they’ll make it gay like they should) then the entire curse could be broken.

I just don’t see any other way they could go with this. The show has always foreshadowed that Storybrooke isn’t supposed to last.

We know there’s going to be a “reset” for the show…

And we know that Regina is no longer connected to the Evil Queen. Everything is setting up for the fairytale characters to return to their world.

But what happens next?

A good story always comes full circle, but the hero returns home with more knowledge and is in a better place. Odysseus goes on a crazy journey with a bunch of messed up shit but eventually makes it back home. Dorothy wishes she could experience life over the rainbow, but when she does, she learns that there’s no place like home. Harry Potter steps onto Platform 9 ¾ for the first time alone, and in the last book he steps on with a family. So if in the Pilot we see Emma in her lonely Boston apartment, wishing on a star to no longer be alone, it only makes sense that the last time we see her, she’s in her Boston apartment but she isn’t alone- she has a family.

We know Henry will be a part of that family, but it’s safe to assume that Regina will be there too, because of this promise:

Unfortunately all magic comes with a price, and my prediction is that price will be that everyone forgets that any of this ever happened.

I’m grounding this theory in the fact that the last time there was a reset, that happened to half of the parties involved: Emma and Henry 

In that scenario, the Dark Curse was destroyed. The Dark Curse’s purpose was to create Storybrooke, so once it was gone, Emma and Henry forgot that Storybrooke ever existed… But everyone in the Enchanted Forest still remembered Emma and Henry because the Savior Curse still existed- they all remembered the Savior. They were able to go back and get her and recreate the bridge between our worlds because Emma was still the Savior. Once the Savior Curse is gone, everything will be wiped out. Everyone will forget that the Savior existed, and why she existed. All the fairytale characters will return to their world where their stories will play out, and all the characters from our world will begin to lead a normal life.

That life for Emma and Regina could very well be together. It’s not guaranteed, but it would certainly explain why the writers have made an effort to keep Emma and Regina apart in Storybrooke while maintaining a certain amount of tension between them- because their story isn’t meant to play out in Storybrooke. It would also explain why it’s not a topic of conversation for any of the writers or actors- it’s a major plot point,  and talking about it would be a spoiler. Lastly, Adam Horowitz said himself that they weren’t queerbaiting:

If they’re planning on having Regina be a part of Emma’s new life free from the Savior curse, then technically this isn’t a lie.

But could they make it so that Emma and Regina’s relationship is merely as platonic co-parents in the real world? Of course. But at the end of the day we would still be right: Swan Queen would still technically be endgame, and it’s still a hell of a lot better than Captain Swan.

BOOM baby.

 Emma and Regina came out of a closet together…..

Now make it win...

Go vote: http://www.zimbio.com/brackets/TV+Couples+March+Madness+2017

let the sky fall;

We do this together? DAMN RIGHT.

Go vote: http://www.zimbio.com/brackets/TV+Couples+March+Madness+2017

Imagine the prophecy is fulfilled and Emma dies. Regina, grief stricken, buys a ouija board after seeing a movie about it and doing her own research.

“Emma Swan, I’m trying to contact Emma Swan. Are you here, Emma?”

Nothing happens for awhile and Regina sits in silence, holding her breath until slowly, the pendulum moves over the YES at the top of the board.

Regina releases a burst of air from her lungs. Skeptical though, Regina asks “How do I know it’s really you, Miss Swan?”

The cursor immediately flew to the NO on the board. Regina furrowed her eyebrows. “No? No what?”

The cursor moved again, down the alphabet. Regina read each letter out loud. “D O N T C A L L M E T H A T.”

“Don’t call me that.” Regina was confused for a moment until she realized she has just called Emma “Miss Swan”. She knew Emma hated it. She laughed lightly though tears pricked her eyes. The stupid idiot. “I’m sorry, Emma.”

She was here. Her Emma was truly here. Even though Henry had told her his other mother had never left, that she was always with them, Regina needed this confirmation. She needed this sense of closeness. She also needed to know why. Why Emma had beat her own fate, her own prophecy and then jumped in front of the sword that was destined for Regina. That idiot.

“You’re an idiot.” Regina said, choking back her own tears. Willing herself not to show this weakness. But she had mourned too long silently, keeping this all to herself. Emma was the one she shared everything with and now she was gone. Until now. Kind of.

The pendulum moved to the “YES” after Regina called her an idiot which forced the tears down Regina’s cheeks.

“Why did you do that, Emma? Why did you not let me die?”

The pendulum moved across the board.

“H E N” Regina cut it off, suddenly frustrated, her emotions getting the best of her. “Oh, don’t you dare say Henry Emma Swan or I swear to god.”

The pendulum stayed still and Regina tried to collect herself. Deep breaths. Finally, the curser began to move. “I H A D T O.”

“I had to.” Regina repeated. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Leave it to Emma to tip toe around giving her clear answers, even in death.

Regina sighed. She needed to know. She had heard the Pirate going off on a drunk rant at Granny’s a few weeks after Emma’s death, about how he knew all along that Emma would always choose Regina over him, that Emma would always love Regina more than she loved him. It hit Regina like a punch in the gut, been gnawing at her brain ever since. She had loved Emma Swan. Deeply. But the idea of the other woman ever returning those feelings felt so foreign to Regina she never felt the need to bring it into fruition. Until now.

With shaky breath Regina finally asked, “Was it because…. you loved me?”

The electricity in the room changed, the atmosphere feeling charged in only a way Emma Swan could make it feel around Regina. The pendulum stayed still but Regina knew Emma was still with her. Stubbornly still with her.

“I’ll ask you again, Em-Ma, did you sacrifice yourself for me because you love me?”

Slowly, the pendulum moved, the sound it made as it crossed the board was so loud in that moment it was almost deafening.

Y E S

“Yes.” There were the tears again, freely rubbing down Regina’s face as she openly sobbed now. Openly mourned the loss of the woman she loved and the ending to her story that once again ended in tragedy.

“Since when?” Regina sniffed.

A L W A Y S

Regina choked on a sob. “I am so sorry, Emma. So, so sorry. I love you, too. Please know that. I know…. I know I always called you an idiot but truly, the only idiot here is me. I’m so sorry, Emma. I love you too. I always have and– and probably always will. Will you ever forgive me?”

Without hesitation the curser moved to the YES.

Another sob escape just in time for the front door to slam and for Henry’s voice to echo through the house, “Mom!? You here?!”

“Our son and his timing.” Regina really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Emma yet. There wasn’t enough time. There never was enough time.

Emma seemed to understand, the air around Regina felt calming, understanding, safe.

The curser began to move.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

Regina smiled for the first time in the long weeks since that night. “You remembered.”

“A L W A Y S” Emma spelt before moving the cursor over GOODBYE.

god damn it! @shadowdianne i blame you for the feels! and also @mymymy-mymajesty, thank you for sharing this… with the feels!

well, it’s an amazing ficlet! 

^^^ I’m actually SHOOK you like it! Like a SQ ficlet goddess has blessed me!

Highlight of the episode. Really. Can it be analyzed too much? No, no it can not. Let’s break it down.

You might want to go pee, or grab a drink before this, it’s gonna be a long one.

Swan Queen is apparently done rom com trope style. Luckily, Swen are well versed in this. We’ll start the scene with a classic pick up line. Smooth, Regina.

Yes. It is Regina. Wifey coming to check how you’re doing

Friend. This is where they’re at now in the classic rom com trope of 

“Enemies –> friendly –> friends with feels –> lovers” 

We’re close, Swen. Hang on.

I’m guessing Emma voices this because she has a hope Regina will have a short cut. Maybe Regina can tell her that “of course you’re ready to let go of darkness, it’s something else keeping you”.

But alas. No such luck. Regina lays down the truth, and I’m really loving Emma’s sassy little head shake when she scoffs “Regina”. Emma really wants that to be a hollow observation. She doesn’t want to want to keep hold of the darkness.

And Regina is being all kinds of awesome. Tells Emma she’s not the first, nor will she be the last, to be tempted by darkness. Reassuring Emma, she’s okay.

And it does comfort Emma. Snowing might’ve gone with the “you’re the savior too good to *whatever*”. But Regina. Regina knows what it’s like, and she’d never fault Emma those feelings. There’s no good or evil. Just real people with real problems.

Excuse me while I go grab a tissue. These two are so hell bent on helping each other to be the best version of themselves. They’re connected in a way the others will never be, they get each other. “But with you Regina, I always know when you’re lying” *rom com zoom* . And here, “you can’t lie to me”.

Emma immediately goes “I know I can’t, but I can deny deny deny”. When all else fails, play dense.

Regina knows she may have pushed a little too far a little too quickly, so she dials it back to “common ground”. Where she validates Emma’s dark feels, talks about them as they were her own. Make Emma not lash out or retreat.

Because they do get the lure of darkness. Both of them. Emma finds comfort in Regina knowing how it feels. Having moved past it. Emma’s always seen Regina as Regina and not the Evil Queen. If Regina now sees her as Emma, she doesn’t feel as bad.

This sentence was clever. “Doing whatever you want” aka “Living your hearts desire”. This is the freedom. If Regina can make Emma see her deep secret desire as her way to freedom, instead of a prison, then maybe she can make Emma open up.

Regina’s made her comfortable enough to open up. To be honest. Because she takes a leap of faith that Regina won’t judge

“Is it wrong?” meaning “Do you see me differently?”

And this. This is why Emma and Regina are freaking awesome. Regina says it like it is. Yeah dark actions are wrong..

“.. but your feelings are human. You’re feelings are completely okay”. Best possible way to handle it, and Regina delivered.

Trying once again to make Emma see what is keeping her to the darkness. There’s comfort, but there’s also reality. No more, delicate. Truth time. (Do notice the lovely half blinks. Emma’s hiding her reaction. Regina saying she knows her makes Emma feel things she can’t act on)

Regina’s laying it all out there. 

Waaaait, wait, wait, hold up. “You’re not as weak as I once was”. “Love is weakness”. Regina knows! Regina knows Emma’s true heart’s desire is love. But she doesn’t see Emma weak, she thinks Emma’s brave enough to admit it. Regina’s like “Emma, love is strength, you can do this”. Emma knows what Regina’s getting at, look her squinting her eyes.

Again, Regina validating Emma’s feelings. “You have good reason” (remember, Emma keeping shit from Regina in Storybrooke, because she had *good reason*? Yeah, me too). Anyway, Regina isn’t downplaying Emma’s feelings, but she wants Emma free of the curse so badly, she’s willing to push to free her.

Regina’s at the end of her wits. She’s been as delicate as possible, as supportive as possible. This is Regina’s last chance for Emma to come clean without a forceful push

Oh Emma. If only you could say that with a straight face. She’s lying so badly here, it’s almost funny

Except Regina sees no funny. But she will slam you with the truth

Regina sees through Emma’s shit. I’m not condoning Regina’s next actions, but til this moment, Regina’s raw honesty with Emma was delicious. She refuses to coddle Emma, she’s always been *harsh* with her words, but they’re honest

Emma knows things are about to change, she’s not sure how though. Talk of Emma’s walls. Yeah we remember talks of those from another scene

….

Look at Emma’s face. That’s fear. She does not want Regina to know. Emma knows the truth. The only reason she wouldn’t want Regina to know is because it a) involves Regina or b) Emma will lose Regina and Henry

Regina’s trying very very hard to look like this does not bother her. She fails.

Regina really does know that this is not totally okay. So she makes sure to tell Emma she’s doing this for her. It’s still wrong, but Regina does it to help.

Emma clenches her jaw when Regina calls her “Dark One”. Emma does not like. When Regina goes on to “tell me”, Emma tries getting eye contact. Probably to try and make Regina stop.

That’s an intense stare you got there, Regina

The completely stoic face and hard eyes is enough to know this isn’t Emma’s secret. It’s a truth. A partial truth. But it’s not the truth.

You can’t lie to Regina. Regina knows it’s deeper than that.

Regina’s really trying her best to keep it together

Emma would not be pleading with Regina to drop it, if she had already spilled the truth. Emma’s scared.

And so is Regina, who can’t keep on the facade anymore. She goes completely desperate heartbreak, and she looks remarkably like young Regina here. This is a very vulnerable Regina.

That look is pretty heart breaking. Regina encourages Emma to break down her walls. To be brave. 

This look really says “I can’t”. At least not in front of Regina

The dagger can make you look. Right now Regina controls the dagger, which means she’s essentially saying “I can make you look..”

“.. But you have to choose to see”. Emma has to choose. Regina’s pleading “please see it. Choose to see it. Choose to tell me.”

Emma’s resisting all she can, but she can’t resist much longer

Regina looks like she’s about to burst into tears. She’s pleading for the truth. Just like she will do on a porch in three weeks-ish time. And then of course they’re interrupted. No rom com has ever delivered a confession without having the first attempt be ruined.

H00k’s aggressiveness here is very very interesting

He tries to comfort Emma

But H00k just yelled at Regina and ripped the dagger out of her hand so forcefully Regina almost fell. Emma might’ve been angry with Regina for wanting the truth, but you do not yell or push Regina. Emma’s pissed. (At Regina too)

As we know Emma bails and the others scold Regina. Regina’s trying to be cool, but she’s shaken up.

Not your fault it’s painful. I’m sure Emma would beg to differ

You can never over analyze Swan Queen. In the swen world, overanalyzation is just evidence

Princess Emma is in the forest, singing “Someday my prince will come”

*Regina appears*

Explain to me again why they're not canon?! Ugh 😑