Chapter Seven: The Search Begins

In StoryBrooke

Just as I thought. Regina sighed. Standing in her vault, she had just finished scouring the sizeable room for her mother's book, but to no avail. Mr. Gold had beaten her to it.

"He has the book, doesn't he?" Henry asked, striding into the room. Mary Margaret followed, the hopeful glint in her eyes gone. Regina turned around to face them, tears in her eyes.

"Henry, I am so sorry." She stated. Henry walked to his mom, hugging her.

"We can't give up." He pleaded. "Please. Whatever grandpa has in store for Gerda, it can't be good."

Regina sighed, holding her son out so she could look at him.

"I know." She looked to Mary Margaret.

"You might want to call David." She said. "We are going to need everyone if we are to find Mr. Gold in time."


"We need everyone, and I mean everyone, on the lookout for Mr. Gold." Mary Margaret ordered into the phone, looking down at her watch quickly. Who knew how much of a head start Mr. Gold had on them?

"Right. We'll send different groups into StoryBrooke. We won't stop until he's found." David promised.

He hung up the phone, looking at Captain Hook.

"Gold has found a way to make a portal." David explained, making sure he had his sword. "It is now more crucial than ever that we find him before he leaves."

"Alright, mate. But tell me, where do we start to search?" Captain Hook questioned, following David down the main street of StoryBrooke.

"That's a good question. But right now, we need to start making search parties." David stated.


Belle followed Robin down the gloomy corridor under the hospital, where Zelena was being kept prisoner. Feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, she stopped in the middle of the hallway, answering it.

"Hello?" She asked. She didn't recognize the number.

"Belle, it's me." A familiar voice stated. Belle felt her heart drop. It was Mr. Gold.

"Where are you?" Belle demanded, not even noticing that Robin walked into Zelena's cell without her.

"Belle, I know you're confused right now, and I understand." Mr. Gold stated.

"But you have to understand, what I'm doing is for our own good."

"You mean sending Gerda to a different land is going to do a lot of good?" Belle questioned.

She could hear Mr. Gold sigh on the other end of the phone.

"Belle, I didn't have much of a choice. She said that I needed to make sure that Gerda ended up in Oz." Mr. Gold explained.

"What, who told you that?" Belle asked. "Was it Zelena? What did she ask you to do?"

"No Belle, I can tell you this for sure, Zelena, for once, is not behind any of this." Mr. Gold answered.

"I only called to say that I am going to be gone for a little while. I need to make sure everything goes according to plan."

"No, please, stop-" Belle begged. "Gerda shouldn't have to suffer!"

"I know, dearie." Mr. Gold stated. "But prices have to be made for the sake of others. I love you."

Belle could hear the line go dead. Mr. Gold was gone. Belle felt her shoulders shake, as tears were welling up in her eyes.

Suddenly remembering where she was, Belle hurried after Robin, scared of what he might do.

She ran into Zelena's room, covering her ears because of how loudly Zelena and Robin were talking. She apparently arrived in the midst of their arguing.

"What did you do to her?" Robin demanded, his fists clenched at his sides.

"I told you, I don't know why Gerda was taken away!" Zelena stated. "I only know what you and Regina know!"

"Oh, and she just happened to be transported to the land of Oz, where you are most powerful? How stupid do you think I am?" Robin questioned.

Zelena sighed. "Well, I do find you to be quite stupid, but that is besides the point! My daughter's life is on the line!"

"Because you put it there!" Robin countered.

"No she didn't!" Belle stated loudly, walking over to Robin and standing in front of Zelena.

"Robin, Mr. Gold just called me. He told me that he was going away, he needed to make sure the plan was fulfilled. But he told me that Zelena had nothing to do with any of this." Belle explained.

"But Belle, it just, it cannot be coincidence that Gerda ends up in Oz!" Robin argued.

"I know you think that, but I'm afraid it is." Belle stated.

"For one reason or another, I believe Mr. Gold. He sounded desperate to tell me something useful, as if to make up for all that he was holding back."

Robin looked at her, and sighed. "Belle, I still don't believe that Zelena doesn't have anything to do with this."

Knowing he would disagree, Belle smiled, reaching into her pocket.

"Then it's a good thing I brought this." Belle pulled her hand out of her pocket, clutching a small vial. Inside was white powder.


"This is a little concoction the Dark One came up with many years ago." Belle explained. She then turned to Zelena, grabbing her left hand.

"It can sense if someone is lying or telling the truth. All we have to do is pour it into Zelena's hand, and if it remains white, it means she is being honest. It will turn black if she is lying."

Robin crossed his arms. "And you're sure this will work?"

Belle nodded, but Zelena rolled her eyes. "Then why didn't you do this earlier?" She demanded.

"Because I was willing to believe that you were behind this." Belle stated nonchalantly. She poured the powder into the Witch's hand.

"There. Now, tell us the truth." Belle said.

Rolling her eyes yet again, Zelena obeyed. "I didn't send Gerda to Oz."

Belle and Robin looked down at the powder in Zelena's hand. After a few moments, the powder remained white. Robin rubbed his head, tilting it to the side.

"I guess I owe you an apology." He admitted to Zelena. "I'm sorry."

Zelena smiled wickedly. "About time."


The towns' people were in a frenzy, all splitting into different search parties to find Mr. Gold. No one knew exactly what would happen if Mr. Gold's plan succeeded, but they didn't want to find out.

Reunited with Mary Margaret, Regina and Henry, David and Captain Hook searched at the edge of town, keeping their eyes open. Mr. Gold could have been anywhere, and they didn't know how much time they had left before his portal was made.

"Regina, do you remember any details about the spell for the portal that could help us?" David questioned.

"I've been racking my brains for the past hour trying to remember, and can't recall anything." Regina admitted. "But I'll keep thinking."

"Right and while you do that, we'll just try to save your niece." Captain Hook retorted. Regina gave him a grave look.

"Now is not the time to pester me, you hooked buffoon." Regina snapped.

Before Captain Hook could respond, Henry stepped in. "Would you two cut it out?" He questioned, glaring at them.

"Henry's right. We need to find Mr. Gold." Mary Margaret reminded them, pulling Regina away from Captain Hook.

Regina sighed, and followed her step-daughter. If only she could remember any details about the spell for the portal, then she could feel useful!

Knowing that she was worried, Mary Margaret placed her hand on her step-mother's shoulder.

"You'll figure it out." She stated confidently. "You always do."


"So, Mr. Gold is making a portal to Oz." Robin confirmed, sighing. "Well, we have to find him, and soon. Who knows what he has planned for Gerda."

The idea of seeing his niece hurt once more pained Robin. He turned to the door.

"Come on Belle. We should help the others." If only Robin hadn't turned away.

"Not so fast." Clasped in the hand behind her back, Zelena wielded a small knife, and Belle hadn't moved from her spot between Robin and Zelena.

The Wicked Witch grabbed Belle's arm, pulling her back. Surprised, Belle had no time to react, and cried out in pain as Zelena grabbed her other wrist and pinned her hands behind her back. Zelena held the small knife to Belle's throat.

"No one in going anywhere." She ordered. "Not until I am released."