Emma opened the large double doors, and suddenly, she was sucked into the Sorcerer's hat. Gold and Killian saw a flash of light, and they both knew what that meant. Emma was gone.

"Nothing personal, dearie. Just business," Gold teased as he walked off, leaving Killian tied to the fence. Killian's anger radiated off of him. He had just lost the person he loved to the crocodile…again.


Nearby, a small car crossed over the town line. In the driver's seat sat Athena, a blond haired, blue-eyed, 17 year-old girl. No one noticed her pass the town line, and as she looked down to adjust the radio, she looked up just in time to see flash of light coming right at her. She screamed, but the light seemed to pass right through her.

That was strange, thought Athena. Just as she was thinking that, her car started to make noises, and then it shut off all together.

Damn! Stupid car! Athena got out of the car and slammed the door to take in her surroundings. From what she could see, she was in the middle of nowhere. Then she saw a sign that read, "Welcome to Storybrooke".

Storybrooke? What a funny name for a town. She took out the map that she got from the orphanage. Mary Lou, her caregiver for 17 years, had given it to her to help her find her father. All she had was an address, and she hoped that was enough. From what she could see, she was not too far from where she needed to be. Maybe someone in this town, Storybrooke, could help her. And she had to get her car fixed. Athena set off on foot to find help.


Meanwhile, Killian continued to struggle to get free. Suddenly, he saw headlights. Snow, David, Elsa, and Regina hopped out of the car and ran to him. David immediately began to free Killian.

"What happened? Where's Emma?" Snow demanded.

"She's… She's..." Killian could not get the words out; he was too distraught.

"Spit it out, Pirate. Where is Emma?" Regina spat.

"She's gone," Killian replied.

"What do you mean, 'she's gone'?" David inquired.

"I MEAN SHE'S GONE. GOLD TRICKED HER, AND NOW SHE IS STUCK IN THAT BLOODY HAT!"

"Then we get her out!" Snow offered.

"You don't get it, Princess. When Emma was sucked into the hat, her powers were transferred to the next magical source, the crocodile. Only he can release her. And he will never let her out," Killian stated.

"So my Emma is truly gone?" Snow asked as she was tearing up.

"She's gone," David admitted to himself as he wrapped his arms around his wife consolingly. Somehow, as David said it, it made it true. She was really gone. Killian stormed off.


Athena finally made it into town, and her stomach promptly growled, signaling her hunger. She spotted Granny's Diner and figured she could get help there while satisfying her hunger. She opened the door and walked over to have a seat at the counter.

After sitting for a few moments, a small man approached her, giving her a grumpy look, and said, "That's my seat."

Horrified, Athena promptly moved over a seat and responded, "I'm sorry, sir."

An older woman behind the counter, who Athena could only assume to be Granny, walked over after observing the confrontation. "You're new here, aren't you?"

"Actually, I'm just passing through. My car broke down about a mile back, and I walked here looking for a bite to eat and see if anyone could point me to where I can get my car fixed.

Granny looked shocked. Athena wasn't sure why. This could happen to anyone, and while cars breaking down were inconvenient, they were a pretty normal occurrence. Athena would soon learn that Storybrooke was anything but normal.

"Just passing through, huh? Well, not many people usually pass through this town. Let me get you something to eat, hun, and I'll call you a tow truck for your car. I also have rooms available upstairs if you need a place to stay for the night, since it is so late." Granny offered.

"Thank you so much! That would be great." Athena pulled out her map as she added, "I'm also looking for this address. I know it's not too far from here, but I honestly don't know where I am because Storybrooke is nowhere on this map."

Granny put on her glasses to view the map, and when she read the address, she gasped, but tried to hide any emotion. "Does that address mean anything to you?"

"Well, I'm an orphan, and I just turned 17, so my orphanage kicked me out, but before I left, my caregiver gave me this map and address, and she said it would lead me to my father. I know he may not want to see me, but I at least want some answers. You don't know who lives there, do you?"

Granny, hiding all recognition, responded, "No dear, I don't think I do. But it is in this town, actually. I think the house is a couple blocks away from here."

"Do you know anything about who lives…"

"I'm afraid that's all I know, dear. Listen, it's late now. Let me get you something to eat and keys to your room. I'll call the tow truck, and you can continue tomorrow. Ok?" Granny immediately cut her off, as a signal to end the conversation.

"Um…sure. Can I just get a hamburger and a Coke?" Athena knew Granny was holding back, but she knew better than to question her further. She would get her answers tomorrow.

"Of course, dear. That'll be right up."

Five minutes later, Athena received her meal and scarfed it down. She was really hungry. Granny soon came back and handed her a pair of keys and informed her that the tow truck was going to get her car. She could go check on the car in the morning. Athena took the keys and headed upstairs to her room.

Twenty minutes later, Regina walked into the diner, and took the same seat that Athena was sitting in twenty minutes earlier. She put her hands on her head and sighed. When Granny walked over, she asked for something strong.

"Rough day, huh?" Granny asked.

"You could say that." Regina kept Emma's situation a secret because she didn't want to worry the town.

"Well, I don't want to do anything to make it worse, but I thought you should know, since you're the mayor and all, that some girl walked in here a little while ago. Apparently her car broke down as she passed the town line. I've never seen her before."

"Great. Something else I have to worry about. What's her name?"

"It's… a… That's funny. I forgot to ask her name."

"She hasn't seen anything, has she?"

"Not that I know of, mam. But she had a map with her, and she's looking for someone in town here. She says it's her father."

"Well, who is it?"

"Don't freak out."

"I'm not going to freak out, Granny. Just tell me."


Athena woke up the next morning and was ready to go check on her car when she received a knock on the door. She opened it, and there stood a strange woman.

"Hi, my name is Regina Mills and I am the mayor of Storybrooke. May I come in?"

"Um, sure, Mayor Mills."

As Regina walked in, she responded, "Regina is fine." She took a seat on the bed and motioned for Athena to do the same.

Athena took the hint and sat down, stating, "I'm Athena."

Recognition immediately met Regina's face. She had heard this name before. She had heard it from her father before the curse. He said he had always wanted a daughter named Athena. Everything clicked for Regina.

"Nice to meet you, Athena. Granny filled me in on your situation, and I thought I could be of some help finding your father."

Athena wasn't sure if she should trust Regina. Something about her seemed off. She seemed way to happy to help her find her father. However, she put those thoughts aside and figured any help was appreciated.

"Thank you. Do you know who he is? I'm sure as the mayor you are more knowledgeable about your residents."

Regina inwardly smiled, "Oh, I know who he is alright. I'll explain more in the car."

"We're going now?"

"Well, do you want to meet your father or not?"

"Of course I do."

"Then, let's go. Grab your things." Regina stood up and went to leave the room, when she turned back and smiled, "Oh, and welcome to Storybrooke."