Chapter 4

"Alright, Henry, you stay here." Daphne said, as she dropped Henry off at the apartment of his grandmother, Snow White. "I'm going to find my parents."

"No wait, Daphne," JJ said, running out in the hallway to meet her, "I'll come with you."

"JJ, I thought you were with Mom and Snow White and the Prince." Daphne said.

"I was, but Mom told me to come back here." JJ said, "I've got some information I need to share with you. You can read my mind to see if I'm lying."

"Alright, you're telling the truth," Daphne said, "let's go."

"Henry," Emma called, "c'mon, we've got to go meet my parents. They've got a tip from the Blue Fairy about what Regina's up to."

"Operation Cobra, phase 3," Henry said, smiling up at his birth mother.

"Right," Emma said, "c'mon, time's wasting."

"But Emma, we just found out that someone from Daphne's town is impersonating Jiminy Cricket!" Henry said.

"Oh really?" Emma said, "who would do a thing like that?"

"An ex-cop apparently." Henry said, "He's probably working with the Evil Queen."

"C'mon, Snow and her Prince are waiting," Emma said, as they got into her yellow, little Volkswagen and drove off.

Up in the apartment, George was on his cell phone.

"No, Katie, everything's fine. Jim'll find a way out. Stephanie's looking for him now." George said.

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door.

"Oops, gotta go." George said, "talk to you later."

He hung up the phone and went to answer the door.

Emma stood before him!

"Hey Emma," George said, "forget your keys?"

"George, where's Henry?" she asked, "Daphne just called me to say she dropped him off here."

"That's funny," George said, "'cause he just left with you."

Emma and George exchanged shocked looks.

"Emma" and Henry continued to drive.

"So, Emma," Henry said, "now that you're my mom now instead of the Queen, can I call you Mom?"

"Of course," "Emma" said, smiling.

"So where are we going, anyway?" Henry asked inquisitively.

"I told you, to see my parents who are meeting with the Blue Fairy." "Emma" said.

"Then why are we going to the Queen's old office?" Henry asked.

"Y'know, you ask a lot of questions, you know that?" Emma said, "The Blue Fairy said to meet here. Now that Regina's lost power she won't come back here. This is our defense against her."

They got out of the car and walked down a long corridor.

"Hello, Henry," Regina said.

"Regina, what you doing here?" "Emma" asked.

"I've only come to have a little chat with my son, Ms. Swan." Regina said.

"He's not yours, anymore." "Emma" said.

"I'm aware of that, Ms. Swan." Regina said. "Listen, Henry—"

"Emma, where're Grandma and Grandpa?" Henry asked. "You said the Queen wouldn't be here. Where's the Blue Fairy? I think you're not my Mom!"

"Emma" transforms back into Victoria.

"What was your first clue?" she asked, smugly.

Regina gasped. "I'm appalled. That someone could pretend to be my son's birth mother in order to make a mockery of me while I try to make peace?"

"What're you talking about?" Henry asked.

"Henry, I only wanted you to be happy." Regina said, stooping down to his level and smiling, "I thought that if I could sign a peace treaty with your birth mother than we could both see you. Only, I discover this imposter tries to kidnap my son!"

"Guilty as charged," Victoria said, as she threw her hands in the air.

"Henry, it doesn't have to be like this," Regina said, "we can be a family again. Come back to me, please."

"No," Henry said, "I want to be with my real mom. You don't care about anyone's happiness but your own!"

He ran away.

Regina transformed her business suit back into her Queenly raiment.

"You know, he has a point," Victoria said.

"Silence!" Regina shouted.

"I bet you wish you had the power that Rumplestiltskin has over you right now." Victoria said.

"I said SILENCE!" the Queen bellowed as she zapped Victoria into a wall.

"Yes, your majesty." she said.

"Well, at least I still have my prisoner." Regina said, as she went down the secret hallway where Jim Powell was contained, only to find that he had escaped.

"No!" Regina said, "how could he escape?"

"Well, the cinoxate only weakens his powers for about an hour or two at a time." Victoria said, "if you want I could track him down for you."

She transformed into Stephanie Powell.

"No, this assignment requires a more…delicate approach." Regina said, smiling.

"Then I'm just the man for the job," came a voice from the shadows.

Lucas Winnick stepped out, bearing his claws.

"But I'm more than a man now," he said, "I'm a beast!"

"I'd like to see Rumple top that," Regina muttered, "Go hunt down Jim Powell and bring him to me, alive. If necessary, find his wife, Snow White, and her Prince. Do not harm Henry and do not fail me!"

"Yes, your majesty," he said, as he bowed.

Meanwhile, Stephanie ran through town, trying to find Jim. She stopped when she spotted him on the street corner, near the Hardware store.

"Jim!" she called, "Honey, you're ok!"

She ran over to him, as they kissed and embraced passionately.

"Of course I am!" he said, "That Queen locked me up in some sort of dungeon. Victoria must've shapeshifted into me to fool you. Regina told me she wants you to give the trilsetum formula, but I'm not going to let that happen!"

"No, we're going to stand and fight against the Queen, against Helen, and against whatever other threats we face." Stephanie said.

"Yes, and I can already tell you that you better be prepared for a war," came a voice from around a corner. A man dressed in 19th Century British aristocratic garb approached them.

Jim stood ready for a fight.

"Who are you?" Jim demanded, "What do you want?"

"Calm down," the man said, holding up his hands, "my name is Jefferson. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to warn you of future encounters you may have."

"Do you work for the Queen?" Jim asked.

"I used to," Jefferson sighed, "she gave me no choice in the matter, threatening my family. But I'm here to ask you to help me get revenge on her."

"Jefferson, you always have a choice." Stephanie said, "we understand. Our son was kidnapped by an evil woman about a year ago. We know how much you must hate Regina, but revenge isn't the answer. We can help you find another way."

"Ever since the Queen's curse transported us all here, I've been waiting for the day when I could finally win back my daughter and rid this land of the Evil Queen. Since she didn't wipe my memory, I started to look for outside contacts outside of Storybrooke. I heard about your scientific achievements with Globaltech, Dr. Powell, and I thought, maybe if magic can't beat Regina, maybe science and technology can." Jefferson said, "That's why I brought you all here. I heard about your accident in the Amazon, and how superpowered people were running amok in Pacific Bay. Rumplestiltskin brought magic to Storybrooke, but with my hat I was able to create a rift in the magical barrier allowing you to come here."

"So how did Helen and her accomplices get here?" Jim asked.

"Only one possible answer," Jefferson said, "Rumplestiltskin let them through."

"Then that means we have to stop them." Stephanie said.

"Then let's go!" Jim said.

"Good luck, Mr. and Mrs. Powell," Jefferson said, "The fate of Storybrooke rests in your hands, no pressure."

Jim took his wife in his arms, and leapt off into the distance.

"An outstanding performance, Jefferson." a female voice said from behind him. Helen Burton was sitting in her black limousine parked on by the curb, with the window rolled down. "Get in."

He reluctantly got in the limo, and sat down next to her.

"Who said anything about performing?" the Hatter asked, "The Powells will stop you, and when they do, Storybrooke will be back in the hands of the people."

"Oh, I highly doubt that," Helen said, "my last male employee failed me, but I have to commend the Powells in taking care of his disposal so I didn't have to. I trust you will not fail me, Jefferson, especially when the life of your precious daughter, Grace, hangs in the balance."

"Grace!" Jefferson shouted, "What have you done with her?"

"Don't worry," Helen said, "She will not be harmed, as long as you do as I say."

"So that's it?" he said, "You're pulling a card out of Regina's pocket? Blackmailing me and threatening my family unless I obey your every word? Well, I won't have it!"

"I'm sure that you care so deeply for your daughter's life that you will do anything to get her back safely, am I right?" Helen asked.

"Yes, but I won't let you threaten my family any longer!" Jefferson shouted. "I will not be pushed around."

"Regina was right," Helen said, "you don't have the gumption to stand up for yourself. No wonder everyone takes advantage of you, you spineless urchin!"

His expression grew angrier and more intense.

"Well, I can assure you, I won't be taking advantage of you," Helen said, "it is your services I require. The special magic you can weave with that hat of yours."

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Well for starters, I need to get to a certain place to pick up a few things," Helen said.

In Mr. Gold's shop, Rumple/Mr. Gold spun the globe that sat on the countertop.

"That's quite a marvelous globe you have there, Rumplestiltskin," Belle mused, "I'd love to travel the world with you, and go on an adventure."

"Yes, well, they'll be time for that later, Belle." Rumple said, "I'm planning a trip of my own."

"Well, take me with you." Belle said.

"I can't do that, Dearie," Rumple said, "you must remain here, ever vigilant, and watchful, waiting for the day when I return to Storybrooke."

"I thought no one can leave the town." Belle said.

"Yes, that was under Regina," Rumple said, "but I changed all that. When I brought magic to this realm, the rules of the game changed forever. Therefore I am now allowed the freedom to go where I wish and do what I please."

"Where you going?" Belle asked.

"I can't tell you that information, Dearie." Rumple said, "I wouldn't want the wrong people trying to force you to tell them my location, much like what happened this afternoon."

"I can handle myself, Rumple," Belle said, with confidence, "besides, you can at least tell me how long you'll be gone."

"I just have to pick up a few things, Belle." Rumplestiltskin said, "I should be back in a few weeks, give or take."

"I'll be waiting for you, my love." Belle said.

Meanwhile, JJ and Daphne walked down main street.

"So Snow White's Evil Queen teamed up with that crazy woman who tried to kill us?" Daphne asked her brother.

"Yeah," JJ said, "and I have a hunch that if we investigate the Queen's lair, we'll find everything we need so Mom and Dad can defeat these women once and for all. We'll need to slip in, unnoticed, the only problem is, how do we do that?"

"I think I've got that covered," Daphne said.

They entered the gateway to Regina's mansion.

"Halt, who goes there?" a guard shouted, "Stop, by order of the Queen! Stay your names and business!"

Daphne mind-pushed the guard.

"We're the Queen's new junior gardeners, and we'd like to examine her bank statements, for business purposes, of course." Daphne said.

"Of course, right this way." the guard said, allowing them to walk past.

JJ and Daphne snuck into Regina's home-office.

"What're we looking for?" JJ whispered.

"I don't know," his sister replied, "if I knew, we wouldn't have to find it. Any incriminating evidence that links Regina to the schemes of that crazy woman from Globaltech is what we need."

The two siblings heard muffled voices from down the hall.

"Quick, hide!" whispered Daphne.

"I don't want to ask you again!" Regina snapped, as she burst in the office, wearing business clothes and talking on her cell phone. "Just get the job done now!"

She hung up.

"Apparently Mr. Winnick is a tougher employee to deal with than you realized," Victoria Morrow said, sitting down at a chair at the desk opposite Regina.

The Powell kids were under the desk.

I'd say this is pretty incriminating! JJ thought toward his sister, who could now communicate telepathically.

"Don't worry," Regina said, "I've got him on a short leash."

The two women heard a thud from underneath the desk.

"What was that?" Regina asked.

"It appears we have visitors, my Queen." Victoria said, as she grabbed them both by their shirt collars, "The Powell children. I'm sure their parents will be quite distraught to find them at the bottom of the Storybrooke lake."

"No," Regina said, putting her hand up, "I have much more satisfying plan for them. Put them down."

"Yes, your majesty." Victoria said, as she did as she was instructed.

"Children," Regina said with a smile, "how would you like to work for me?"

Daphne tried to read her mind, but Regina used her powers to block her.

"Oh, that won't work on me, child," Regina said, "What is your answer?"

"Even if I can't read your mind," Daphne said, "we know you're up to something sinister. Why should we trust you?"

"You shouldn't, however if you cooperate with me, I shall see to it that you are amply rewarded." Regina said.

"Whatever you've got, we're not buying." JJ said, as they start to walk away.

"On the other hand, perhaps I should try a different approach," Regina said with a sneer, "unless you do this favor for me, your parents and all your friends in Pacific Bay will be obliterated."

"You can't be serious," Daphne said, with a shocked look upon her face.

"Oh, I assure you, Miss Powell, I'm quite serious." Regina said.

"Alright, what do you want us to do?" JJ asked with a sigh.

"Excellent," Regina smiled, "You are to go to the house of the former Miss Ginger, now know by her true alias, the Blind Witch, and get me a piece of magic parchment that she stole from me."

"What do you intend to do with it?" Daphne asked.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Regina said.

They started to walk off.

"Oh, and there's a couple things I neglected to mention," Regina said, "Don't tell your parents, their friends, or anyone you meet in this town about this or you will regret it, and when you get to her house, try not to nibble on any of the furniture."

Meanwhile in Pacific Bay…

Katie tried to spoon-feed her newborn baby while talking to George on the phone.

"Yeah, George, life's kinda tough dealing with little Gandalf here." Katie said. She turns to her infant in the high chair. "C'mon, open up! Who's a good boy? Who's a good super-baby?"

"I can't believe you named your kid, Gandalf!" George said.

"What?" Katie said, "I like Lord of the Rings. Is that a crime? I wanted my son to go through life with an awesome sounding name."

"Yeah, well, speaking of names, what about Joshua?" George asked, "how do you know that's his real name?"

"George, you of all people should know by now that he had his name legally changed." Katie said, "now that we're married, we don't keep secrets from each other anymore."

"Really?" George asked, skeptically, "Where is he right now?"

"At the grocery store getting food," Katie said, "with his powers gone, he's not as fast as the Flash, but he's still able to get the job done. How are things going in Storybrooke?"

"Swell," George said, "Jim and Steph just spoke with some guy who apparently looked like he came out of Alice in Wonderland. I mean, he looked weird, but he told them about how to beat the evil Queen."

"Really?" Katie said, "Wonderland is weird? Y'know for comic con next year, I think I'm going to do a little Queen of Hearts cosplay. The Catwoman outfit I wore last year just brings back too many bad memories."

"And who's your knight in shining armor gonna be?" George said, "Lancelot? The White Rabbit?"

"I'm thinking Joshua could go as Wolverine or maybe Captain Kirk even. I think he'd look totally hot in a USS Enterprise uniform." Katie said.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Oh, got to go, George," Katie said, "That must be Joshua with the food. Coming sweetie!"

She answered the door.

A funny looking man with long brown hair and a cane appeared in the doorway.

"Can I help you, Sir?" she asked.

"Yes," the visitor said, in a thick Scottish accent, "I believe you can. My name is Mr. Gold. I'm looking for something I seemed to have lost."

Meanwhile, back in Storybrooke, the Powell kids arrived at the home of the Blind Witch.

"Alright, we sneak in, grab the thing, and leave." JJ whispered to his sister.

It's better if we communicate telepathically. Daphne thought toward her brother. Daphne had only developed the ability to telepathically communicate a couple months ago, but was already skilled in the technique, and only used it for emergency situations.

They carefully climbed in an open window, and spotted the Blind Witch napping on a nearby rocking chair.

I see the parchment! Daphne thought.

I know! JJ thought back, I'll grab it!

With his super-brain, JJ Powell visualized the best strategy to grab the parchment without disturbing the Blind Witch's slumber.

He grabbed it and snuck off.

"Excuse me," said a male voice, "I don't believe that belongs to you. I'm afraid you'll have to be reprimanded for that."

It was Lucas Winnick, bearing his claws.

"You!" Daphne gasped.

The Blind Witch awakened.

"We've got company!" Winnick said.

The Blind Witch inhaled deeply. "I smell children!" she hissed with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed area, Helen is armed with Maleficent's staff. She waved the staff around in circles a few times, and then let loose a magical zap. The energy released from the staff formed into the shape of a human figure. Once the energy depleted, the figure was revealed to be Maleficent herself!

"Where am I?" she asked. "Who are you?"

"Maleficent," Helen cooed gently, "Be still. You're in a secret location. My name is Helen Burton and I revived you. You were dead, or very close to it, but I brought you back."

"That's impossible," the Mistress of all evil said. "Magic can't revive someone back from the dead."

"Not impossible," Helen said, "just very, very, difficult. It's true that magic doesn't have resurrection properties, but when coupled with chemical formulas that my scientists have created, there's no limit to what can be done. You've been through quite an adventure. It seems that when Ms. Swan destroyed you in your dragon form, your consciousness reverted back into your staff. I'm not all that familiar with magic, myself, but I'm learning, and growing quite fond of it. I could sense how much you hated Regina, so I took care of her for you."

"What could you possibly want with me?" Maleficent asked.

"I'm here to offer you a deal," Helen said, "I believe you're familiar with a man by the name of Jefferson?"

"Yes, Regina's Mad Hatter friend." Maleficent said.

"Well, he and I are planning on going on a little excursion, a quest, if you will, to find magic that will aid me in accomplishing my goals." Helen said, "if you help me in mastering magical properties and harnessing them with my experiments, I shall grant you dominion over the entire Pacific Bay area of California, plus, the small task of eliminating the Powell Family from the equation permanently, but more on that little matter later."

"How would I know I would want to rule this…Pacific Bay?" Maleficent asked.

"Trust me, there are many perks to ruling a city like that," Helen said, "subjugating civilians to your will and whatnot, plus that's where the Powells, the super-family, are from. And over there, supers are in abundance."

"You have a deal." Maleficent said, shaking her hand.