Maya was put on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance, as she was rushed to the hospital.
Monica drove Zack in the car behind the ambulance.
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Tipton hotel, Catwoman stepped out of the elevator, and disabled the elevator's lift.
"Did you do it?" asked Monique, stepping out of the shadows.
"Yes," Catwoman said.
"Excellent," Monique said, "all goes according to plan. Now, if you'll excuse me, Ms. Kyle, I need to pay a visit to the Evil Queen."
"Wait a minute," Catwoman said, "Where's my cut?"
"Your services are no longer required, my dear," Monique said.
"Nobody double-crosses me!" Catwoman yelled, as she swung her whip.
The whip caught on to Monique's wrist, but Monique's eyes glowed red and she flung the whip, and Catwoman, against the wall, knocking her unconscious.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Monica was consoling Zack.
"Catwoman's gonna pay for this!" Zack said with disdain, "Nobody does this to my girlfriend! The bit—"
"Zack," Monica said, cutting him off before he could utter a profanity, "instead of seeking vengeance, you need to put this in God's hands."
"God?" Zack asked, "God could've stopped this from happening, but He didn't!"
"Not every injustice is stopped in this world, Zack," Monica said.
"That's right, Monica, you tell him," a voice said, as Monique walked in.
"Monique?" Zack asked.
"I heard about what happened to your girlfriend, Zack," Monique said, "I'm here for you."
"Zack, don't listen to her!" Monica said, "She—"
"just wants to help," Monique said, "I'll be back in just a moment, but first I need to have a chat with my 'twin sister' here."
They went in the adjacent room, while Zack sat by Maya's bedside.
"I won't let you control and manipulate this young boy," Monica said.
"Fear not, Miss Wings," Monique said, "he's already mine. He's already his."
"No," Monica said, "He belongs to Him!"
"Enough of this," Monique said. "after I'm done with the young Mr. Martin, I think I'll go toy with the Evil Queen and the Dark One. Hmm, Dark One, amusing. If he only knew how dark the one I work for really is."
"Good will triumph over evil," Monica said, "God always wins. You know the end of the story."
"I know," Monique said, "but why face eternal torment alone when I can take as many souls with me as I can?"
Monique went into Maya's room.
"Zack, I just want to say, you can leave this in God's hands, or you can take action yourself," Monique said, "but why wait for the man in the sky to do something which could take days, weeks, months, even years, when you can see to it justice is done right away?"
"You're right," Zack said. "Justice needs to be served."
"No, Zack," Monica said, "what you're doing isn't justice. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. You've done all you can do. God will take care of the rest. His timetable may not be ours, but it will work out for good in the end. Trust in Him!"
"Why should I?" Zack asked, "Maya is dying right now. Nothing short of a miracle can save her now!"
"That's why he sent me," Monica said, as she glowed, "I specialize in miracles. I am an angel of the Most High God. God wants you to know that He loves you beyond words. So much so, that He sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty you should've received."
"Stop it!" Monique said.
"Even the demons know His name, and they shutter." Monica said.
"Demons?" Zack asked, as Monique dematerialized in a puff of black smoke.
"You've won this round, Miss Wings, but this is not over!" Monique said.
"Can you pray with me?" Zack asked, "I don't know what else to do."
"Sure," Monica said.
Meanwhile, back at the Tipton…
Batman raced into the Tipton.
"Mr. Gold," Batman said, "have you seen Catwoman?"
"As a matter of fact, your feline friend just waltzed in here nearly a half hour ago and shot Zack's girlfriend point-blank." Gold said.
"The hateful hussy!" Batman said.
"Let's get to the hospital," Batman said, "To the Batmobile, we haven't one moment to lose!"
Batman and Rumple got in the Batmobile. As they started driving, Monique appeared in front of them.
"Out of the way, please, citizen!" Batman said, "this is an emergency!"
He did a double-take.
"Monica?" Batman asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I believe you have me mistaken for someone else. My name is Monique." Monique said.
"Or you could be a fiendish foe, like False Face in disguise!" Batman said.
"Or Cora." Rumple muttered.
"I assure you, I'm the real deal." Monique said. "Use your bat-disguise detector to prove it."
"I'll take your word for it," Batman said, "Mr. Gold is more than capable of handling himself. A young lady needs my help!"
"You shouldn't keep her waiting," Monique said, "Mr. Gold and I have some business matters to discuss. It concerns a woman named Belle."
"Belle?" Gold questioned, "What do you know about her?"
"Why, merely that she is your true love, of course," Monique said, with a sly smile. She leaned forward in a whisper, "We wouldn't want the Caped Crusader meddling in your affairs, now would we?"
"Drive off," Gold commanded Batman.
"But how will you get there?" Batman asked.
"I'll find a way," Rumple said, "just go!"
Batman drove off in the Batmobile.
"That's more like it," Monique said, "now where were we?" Oh yes, I believe, being the Dark One, you know a thing or two about this!"
She showed him his dagger.
Rumple's eyes grew wide with fear and surprise.
"Where did you get that?" he asked, "How did you know about my past?"
"Don't look so surprised, Rumple," Monique said, "after all, you're not the only one hiding dark secrets."
Meanwhile, up on the floor of the Tipton where Regina and Ren were staying.
They got a knock on the door.
"I wonder who that could be?" Regina asked.
She answered it. To her surprise, Catwoman stood in the doorway, looking battered and unkempt .
"Catwoman?" Regina asked in disbelief, "What are you doing here?"
"I come to offer my help," Catwoman said.
"Oh yeah?" Regina asked. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because I can tell you the next phase of my former employer's plan." Catwoman said.
Regina and Ren looked at each other with confusion and shock.
"How do we know you'll keep your word?" Regina asked.
"Regina, you of all people should know a thing or two about reformation." Catwoman said, "Give a girl a chance!"
"Alright," Regina said, "but I'm keeping you on a short leash!"
Meanwhile, Monica and Zack were talking…
"So I can have a relationship with God?" Zack asked.
"Yes," Monica said, "if you put your faith in Him. He is with you."
Amos signaled to her.
"Zack," Monica said, "there' something Maya wanted to tell you, about what happened to her while she was in Chad. She can't speak, but since I'm an angel, I can show you her memories."
They went over to Maya's bedside where Amos is standing.
Monica & Amos spoke to Maya's spirit.
"Maya," Monica said calmly to the unconscious Maya, "My name is Monica. This is Amos. We're angels."
"We're here to tell you that God loves you," Amos said, "and to pass a message along that Zack needs to hear."
Maya's spirit communicated with them.
"No, I'm not ready!" Maya said.
"God will give you the words to say, just say them." Monica said.
Monica and Amos angelically linked Maya's memories to Zack.
"Zack," Maya said, "you don't know the truth behind what happened while I was in Chad. I studied there, and even did missionary work. I worked with the Peace Corps to help restore civilization and bring culture to the society. Some of the people were affected by the Rwanda genocides. I helped provide medical care and shared the Gospel message with them. One day, I was approached by agents from the CIA and everything changed. I was forced to become a mercenary trained in espionage. I had to infiltrate and interrogate the Xhosa people. I had to help stop the outbreak of a massive plague spreading across the country. After Mandela's death, they released me, but I could never share this information. Not only because it's classified, but you might never take me back again."
"No, Maya," Zack said, "I don't care. I love you. I know we were separated for a while, but if there's one thing I've learned recently, it's that true love never dies. I'm sorry I got mad at you when you dumped me. Those months we were dating weren't a waste; I see that now. Just please, get better and take me back."
Zack was snapped back to reality, where Maya was still unconscious.
"Have faith, Zack," Monica said, "God will see you through. He knows how much you love her, and He will honor that."
Batman raced in.
"Is there anything I can do?" Batman asked.
"Unless you have some medical tools in that utility belt to help, then you're out of luck." Zack said.
"Unfortunately, I don't have anything that could solve this situation." Batman said, "My father was a doctor. I've been in many near-death scrapes with the criminal element."
"How did you get through them?" Zack asked.
"By never giving up," Batman said, "I don't know your girlfriend, but she looks like a fighter, and fighters never quit. Quickly, I hate to change the subject, but Mr. Gold may be in trouble back at the Tipton."
"Why, what's wrong?" Zack asked.
Back outside the Tipton, Monique held Rumple's dagger to his throat.
"There's nothing you can do," Rumple wheezed, "I'm powerless here. There's no magic, which means that is ineffective in controlling me."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Monique said, "dark magic can take many forms. My employer will see to it that you will submit to me, Dark One."
"Who do you work for?" Rumple asked, "Who are you?"
"So many questions," Monique mused, "so little time. The answers to both of which are of no concern to you."
"I'm making it my concern, dearie." Rumple said.
"My, aren't we tenacious?" Monique said smugly, "let's just say I work for the true Dark One, darker than even you can imagine."
Suddenly, Ren, Regina, and Catwoman raced out the door.
"Well if it isn't the Evil Queen, Catwoman, and their compatriot." Monique sneered.
"Monica?" Regina asked, "What are you doing here? Why do you have Rumple's knife?"
"Trust me, Regina, she's not Monica." Catwoman said, "Am I right, Monique?"
"Such valor," Monique said, "pity that you won't live to see another day, accept in the Lake of Fire. Dark One, annihilate them!"
"You can't control Rumple here!" Regina said, "there's no magic!"
"Oh really?" Monique asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rumple tossed a fireball at them.
"Take cover!" Catwoman shouted.
"If he has magic, that must mean I do too!" Regina said.
Regina zapped Rumple with a blast of magical energy.
"This is turning out better than I hoped!" Monique exclaimed.
Suddenly the Batmobile pulled up, with Batman, Monica, and Zack inside.
"Oh goody," Monique sarcastically said, "the cavalry's here. Now the real fun begins."
"Monique, as a dually-deputized agent of the law, I order you to surrender!" Batman proclaimed.
"I'm shaking," Monique cynically said. "You'll never defeat me, or the one I work for!"
"Yes, we will, Monique!" Monica said.
"Monica?" Regina asked, "Is it really you?"
"Yes, Regina," Monica said, "I'm real, unlike this counterfeit version of myself."
"Please, this cheap imitation can't hack it." Monique said, "I'm the genuine article. You may have been a Queen of one land in the past Regina, but stick with me, and I will offer you the universe, several, in fact."
"Not interested," Regina said.
"I thought you loved power." Monique said.
"I think you have me confused with my mother." Regina said, "all I care about is my son."
"What if I told you that you can have your son forever, and that you don't have to worry about the rest of his family getting in the way?" Monique asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Regina asked.
"Just put your name on the dotted line and we can discuss it." Monique said, and she pulled out a document.
"I'm not one to sign contracts on a whim," Regina said, "I'm well aware that magic always comes with a price."
"This isn't magic, Regina," Monique said, "it's a chance at a brand new life."
"I would like that," Regina said.
"Regina, don't listen!" Monica said, "The Devil doesn't care about you. It's just an illusion, an imitation of real love."
"They say imitation is the best form of flattery after all." Monique said, "What do you say?"
"I would give anything to be with my son again," Regina said.
Catwoman wrapped her whip around Regina's wrist.
"I'm sorry, your majesty, but I can't let you go through with this!" Catwoman said.
"Well, look who switched sides," Monique said, "The Evil Queen no longer evil, and Catwoman looking out for others instead of herself. Bravo."
She went up to Ren.
"You don't belong here, my girl," Monique said, "both these women have done terrible things and now they're trying to redeem themselves. You've never been a bad egg, have you?"
"True," Ren said, "but I know how to fight when I have to!"
Ren tossed a side-kick at Monique, which she blocked and sent her flying.
"You couldn't cut it against a she-devil like me," Monique laughed.
Meanwhile, Catwoman was trying to restrain Regina.
"Regina, stop!" Catwoman shouted.
"No, let go of me!" Regina yelled.
"I won't let you go through with this!" Catwoman said.
"Why do you care?" Regina asked.
"I happen to know that once you go down that road, you can't come back." Catwoman said.
"Well, look who's changed her spots," Batman said, "Catwoman, you've proven that veracity and rectitude are within you, and you have shown honor today."
"Yeah, yeah," Catwoman scoffed, "I don't need any moral lectures or pats on the back."
"Regina, don't let anyone stop you," Monique said, "just sign and happiness will be yours."
"Regina, don't do it!" Monica said.
"I've had enough of people telling me what I can and cannot do!" Regina said, "I need to make my own choice! In the words of Rumple's beloved, 'no one decides my fate but me.'"
"God determines your ultimate destiny, Regina." Monica said.
"I'll stop this satanic sorceress," Batman said, "unfortunately, I'm out of demon-repellent bat-spray."
"That's ok, Batman, it wouldn't stop her anyway, Batman," Monica said, "There's only one thing that can defeat Monique. The truth."
"What're you gonna do?" Monique jeered, "Tell them that God loves them and I'll go away? It's not that easy."
"No, it's not," Monica said, "that's why I've asked Zack to share what he's learned."
"That's right," Zack said, "God's taught me a lot in the past few hours. I may not always have it all together. I try to act cool, like nothing affects me, but the truth is, I was heartbroken when Maya dumped me."
"Try having your true love murdered before your eyes," Regina said.
"Or having your true love shot with her memory erased," Gold said.
"I know my story may pale in comparison to what you've gone through," Zack said, "and even though Maya is still unresponsive in the hospital, I now know I'm ready to go through anything with her. I know God loves me, and He's helped me discover this in the midst of tragedy. I'm thankful for this tragedy, because without it, I wouldn't be where I am now. I don't need to seek revenge. I forgive you, Catwoman."
"Thanks," Catwoman said, "That means a lot, and I'm so sorry."
"Ugh, I can't take it anymore," Monique said, "you'll be back on the dark path soon enough."
She faded into the darkness. Rumple grabbed his dagger.
Monica came up to Regina and Rumple.
"Do you see?" Monica asked, "You don't need to let the darkness control you. Let God guide your life. He loves you, Regina. Forgive Snow White, and forgive your mother. Rumple, there's someone you need to forgive too, isn't there?"
"True," Rumple said, "but I doubt he's ready to see me again."
"You'd be surprised at the family reunions God has in store for you." Monica said.
"I just want to see my son," Regina said.
"And you will, in God's timing." Monica said. "Henry loves you, as well as Emma and his grandparents, including you, Rumple. You don't' need to hold onto magic. God wants to give you courage, but you both need to rely on His strength."
Batman and Catwoman got in the Batmobile and drove away. They turned old again.
"Looks like we're back to our old selves, Bruce!" Selina said.
"Let's head back to Gotham," Bruce said, "we can catch up and fight crime together!"
"Told you, we'd make a purrfect power couple," Selina said.
"Now that you're on the right side of the law," Bruce said.
Rumple and Regina said goodbye to Ren and went back to Storybrooke.
"C'mon," Ren said to Zack, "I'll give you a lift to the hospital."
They followed Monica to the hospital, where they found Maya awake and sitting up in bed.
"Maya!" Zack shouted with joy, "I'm so glad you're better! I love you!"
"And I love you, baby!" Maya said, as they kissed.
Monica walked off with Amos.
"Truly wonderful, isn't it Amos?" Monica asked.
"Yeah," Amos said, "doesn't God's mercy amaze you?"
A dove flew overhead as Zack and Maya held hands in the hospital, while Ren watched, and the angels walked away.
THE END
