April, Casey, and Emma pushed the van towards Storybrooke. The van served as their cover-up story, breaking down outside of town while on a family road trip. Just as they entered the town, they stopped. A knock came from inside, "Can we come out now? Mikey asked.
"Yes, no one's out right now." April said.
The van door opened and out came the turtles and Splinter donning their disguises. All of them had the same dark brown hair and dark blue eyes, indicating they were sextuplets. Mikey wore black shorts with an orange tank top wearing a baseball cap backwards making him look like a skateboarder, his hair dangling at his ears. Leo was wearing a button down dark shirt open with black shorts too, looking serious and weary as he stepped out, with a crew-cut to match. Raph stepped out with a Mohawk, wearing black shorts, and a red t-shirt over a black long sleeve, looking edgy. Donnie came out with his hair a little long, wearing a purple tang top with black shorts like his brothers. Splinter made his appearance, looking like a Japanese master, wearing his traditional fighter's robes and brown sandals, white hair tied up in a bun.
"Be weary my sons, I sense a great deal of dark magic here. Be on guard the whole time."
"Yes master Splinter." They all said.
Emma went back in the van and grabbed her bag. She eyed the town, surveying it.
"Hey, can I help you?"
Everyone turned as they saw a man wearing a sheriff's uniform walking up to them. Casey narrowed his eyes when he saw the guy looking at April. Splinter addressed him, "Our vehicle has broken down. Might you be able to point out a service station for us?"
"There's a garage not too far from here. If you don't mind me asking? How'd you get here?"
"We were on a family road trip to, California! But the van started stalling and then we couldn't get it starting again." Leo said trying to make a believable story.
"Well, I don't know a way to get back on the road, I've never been out of town, but we do have some maps at the station. If you would like, you're welcome to come and grab some after we get your van to the garage."
"That would be very helpful Mr.…"
"Graham. Sheriff Graham. I'll call for the tow."
Emma felt her stomach rumble. "Hey guys, can we grab some food?"
"I don't see why not. Do you know any good places to eat around here?" April asked.
"There's Granny's diner down there. I'll have Billy here with the tow."
"Thank you for your help, sheriff." Donnie said.
"Enjoy your stay at Storybrooke."
After Graham left, the family made their way to the diner. They saw a couple of people inside as they grabbed a large table in the middle.
"Ruby! Customers." A woman's voice called out.
"Coming." A young brunette with red streaks came up with a notepad and pen, "Hi, welcome to Granny's. What can I get you?"
"A salad and tea please." Splinter said,
"A double cheeseburger with fries." Casey said.
"A chicken salad with fries and a chocolate shake please." April said.
"Boys?" Splinter turned to his sons,
"A large pepperoni pizza." They said.
"Grilled cheese with fries and hot chocolate with cinnamon on top please." Emma said, causing Ruby to look up in surprise.
"Hot chocolate with cinnamon on top?"
"Yes?" Emma said.
"There's only one other I know who orders hot chocolate with cinnamon."
"Who's that?" Emma asked.
"Mary-Margaret. Probably just a coincidence. I'll be right back with the food." As Ruby left, everybody was thinking about this little tidbit.
"Mary-Margaret? Could she be…?" Leo said.
"Who knows? We really don't know who the others are here in this town." Donnie said.
"We'll just have to keep our eyes and ears open for now." Splinter said.
Everyone nodded their heads,
"So you like hot chocolate with cinnamon too?" A voice said from behind Emma.
Emma turned and saw a dark-haired woman with a pixie cut, wearing a flowery blouse with a pink cardigan over it. Emma felt her heart stop as the memories from her dream came rushing back. She was staring at her mother, Snow White.
"Uh yes. I love hot chocolate with cinnamon." She said trying to keep her voice steady.
"I thought I was the only one. Are you new in Storybrooke?"
"Yes. We were on a cross-country road trip till our van broke down here." Donnie answered.
"Sounds exciting."
"It is. I'm sorry, what's your name?" Emma said.
"Mary-Margaret Blanchard. And yours?"
"Emma." Mary-Margaret frowned when she heard that name. Like it was a lost memory she couldn't grasp.
"Is this your family, Emma?"
"Yes, this is April, Casey, my dad and my four brothers."
"Pleasure to meet all of you." She shook everyone's hands.
"Would you care to sit with us Ms. Blanchard?" Splinter motioned to a chair.
"I'd love to but I have some papers to grade. Maybe another time? How long are you staying in town?"
"Till the van is fixed for the moment." Leo said.
"I'll see you around. It was nice meeting you, Emma."
Emma blinked and saw her in a fancy medieval looking white princess dress, with long hair cascading down past her shoulders in soft curls.
"Nice to meet you too, Mary-Margaret." She said.
As she left, everyone noticed the tension from Emma. She was trying to hold back emotion, when the food arrived everyone ate in silence.
After dinner, everyone made their way to the inn nearby. They saw the elderly woman at the desk they heard from the diner,
"Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes madam, we would like three rooms for the night." April said.
"Really?" She asked in disbelief, before gathering herself and going to the back, "Would you like a forest or square view? Normally, there's an upgrade for the forest, but we can make an exception."
"Square is fine madam." Splinter said.
"Now, what are the names?"
"O'Neil and Jones." April said for her and Casey.
"Hamato for the rest of us. My daughter," gesturing to Emma "will be accommodating the third room."
"I see." She smiled at Emma as she wrote the names down, "And what's your name young lady?"
"Emma Hamato."
"Emma," A Scottish voice behind everyone, causing them all to turn. A man, who appeared to be in his fifties with shoulder length hair wearing a nicely tailored suit, was behind them. "What a lovely name."
"Thank you, Mr.…"
"Gold. Mr. Gold." The man had an impish smile on his face as he stared at Emma. Splinter didn't like what he was feeling around this man and neither did the turtles. They stood closely next to Emma.
"Mind takin' yer eyes off our sister bub." Raph said in a low tone, catching Gold by surprise. Granny held out a roll of money for the man,
"It's all here sir."
"Yes, yes, thank you." He hobbled on his cane as he placed the money in his pocket. Turning back and meeting Emma's eyes again, "Enjoy your stay…Emma." He walked out, casting a smirk at her as he left.
"Who was that?" April asked Granny.
"Mr. Gold. He owns the place." Granny said.
"The inn?" Leo asked.
"The town." Ruby said from the other room.
Splinter broke the silence, "Let us adjourn for the night."
Everyone unpacked in their respected rooms but gathered for a meeting where Splinter, Leo, Mikey, Raph, Don, and Leo were in.
"Now that we are here. We need to be prepared for what might happen. This will be different from what we have faced in the past."
"Mary-Margaret was my mom." Emma blurted out, getting everyone's attention. "I saw what she looked like from the…enchanted forest. She was wearing a white gown and had long hair instead of..." April pulled Emma into a hug and Casey rubbed her back.
"I sensed you are right, Emma. I could feel the magic near her. She had a reaction to your name, which means the magic could be weakening already."
"How will we know for sure though Sensei?" Donnie asked.
"I am not certain Donatello, but we must be cautious with every move we make here. This is not like New York City."
"I don't like that Gold guy. He kept eyeing our little sister like she was a meal or somethin'." Raph cracked his knuckles.
"I agree with Raph. He was totally creepy." Mikey shuddered.
"Gold had an aura of dark magic when he made himself present. Emma, do not go near him if you are alone." Splinter instructed.
"Yes master Splinter." Emma nodded her head.
"What are we gonna do once we run into Regina? She's going to know that we're here." Leo said.
"Yeah, and if she figures out who Emma is. There's no tellin' what she'll do." Mikey said sounding scared.
"This is true. However, the time will come when we encounter her first. She does not know Emma is here and until it happens we go about with our original plan. Now, let us retire for the night and tomorrow we shall figure out our first course of action."
Everyone left and went to their respected rooms, not noticing that the clock tower was now beginning to move forward.