Prologue
"Emma won't you come with us?"
"No, I won't Mother. There's no point in asking again."
At this Snow White began to cry, just like she had for countless days. Emma drew her into an embrace.
"Don't worry, Mother. You are doing the right thing. I'll be fine."
"You have the bean, and the compass, right?"
"Yes. Yes. Anton gave me a bean. And here is the compass." Emma took it out of her pocket and showed it to Snow White.
"I wish you would come now. I don't want to be separated again."
"Mother, I promise you I'll come over. I just can't right now." Emma kissed her cheek.
At that Snow White turned away and joined the small group – Grumpy, Red and Granny. They were all who were left. Everyone else had already taken a bean portal ride to the Enchanted Forest. Emma's father had gone and come back and gone again. Emma had said her farewell to him earlier. He had cried (of course) but then had gone readily enough. He always wanted to go back anyway. Emma didn't begrudge him that need. After all the kingdom and its queen had been the prize of his life. He deserved to be restored to it.
No, Emma's only regret was what this would do to her mother. It would be cruel certainly, but necessary. I guess I'm like Neal after all. But then she reflected that that wasn't completely fair. Snow White would have her Prince Charming with her, and her many friends and subjects. Emma knew that the people of the Enchanted Forest adored Snow White. She will rule well and fairly. But Emma also knew that Snow White would always be sad, because Emma would not be with her.
Emma looked on as Grumpy tossed the bean. The whirlwind and pit was impressive, as always. The small party jumped in. Snow and Red were holding hands. Then it was done. The portal closed.
As Emma walked toward her car, she took the portal bean. She dropped it to the ground and stomped it with her boot, rendering it useless. Then she took out the compass, and similarly tossed it. She didn't step on it. She cast a spell than melted it completely. It could not be recovered.
When she reached her car, still the yellow bug, she paused and said the few words that activated the wardens. It should not be possible for anyone to use a portal bean to come back. And if they somehow succeeded, Emma would know of it immediately. And could take action.
As she passed the Welcome to Storybrooke sign on her way to I95, Emma said the other words and the sign disappeared. Along with the road itself. Throughout the entire world the town disappeared from maps. Storybrooke was now hidden. Only Emma out of all the people in the world could find it, let alone enter it.
It would be many years before Emma would come back.