I’m gonna throw in a theory I’ve been mulling about in my head for a bit. What if the WW just isn’t as powerful as Regina? What if she tried to recreate the original curse but couldn’t, so that’s why some things just aren’t quite right?
From what Zelena has said (and she could be lying), Cora gave her up, and we don’t know who raised her so maybe she lived alone and I’m assuming in poverty for most of her life. And finally Rumple comes along and thinks she’s special, something more than just a penniless girl from some other land. But when he tries to teach her magic he just realizes she’s just not that good? That even though she’s Cora’s firstborn, there is NO WAY this girl can cast the curse he needs to find Bae. So he ditches her for Regina. So now the WW has a little knowledge of magic, but most of her power lies in fear and manipulation and she is able to essentially *trick* everyone into thinking that she’s a really powerful witch. And now that I think about it, it sounds like a pretty Wizard of Oz thing to do, make everyone think you have magic when you really don’t. How about that for a mash-up, right?
Keeper of the Cheshire Cat’s smile, Baelfire’s sword, Snow’s backpack, Robin Hood’s bow, Ariel’s purse, Ariel’s smile, Henry’s heart, Belle’s shoe collection