Cora ruled the realm of Wonderland as the deadly Queen of Hearts for some time while Regina grew into her role as The Evil Queen of Fairy Tale Land. When Regina resolved to cast The Dark Curse, she employed Captain Hook to travel to Wonderland to rip her mother’s heart out. The good Captain did as commanded, but Cora’s heart was no longer where it should be. Instead, she convinced Hook to work with her and convince Regina she was dead. The two travelled back to Fairy Tale Land together and Cora discovered that Regina wanted her dead not out of revenge, but to eliminate the weakness that was her love for her mother. Touched, Cora decided to alter her plan.