The Eighth Witch

The Magical Forest
Many Years Ago

Henry Mills was holding a baby as he stood in front of Hook, Ingrid, Tiana, Annabelle and Jack, "I'd like you all to meet Lucy."

"That is amazing," said Jack, "Henry Mills is a father."

"Congratulations," said Tiana, "She looks strong."

"You've got a real cutie there, cuz," said Ingrid.

"Uh, where's my mom?" asked Henry, "She should be here by now?"

"Oh, Regina's fine," said Drizella. Henry turned to look at her and everyone else pulled their swords out, "She's just a little detained."

"Stay away from my daughter," said Henry.

"Such a worried papa. No need to be. I'm only here to deliver a message. Well, more accurately, a prophecy. A curse is coming. On your darling child's 8th birthday, all your lives as you know them will end."

"Perhaps you misread the prophecy," said Annabelle, "because you missed the part where we defeat you."

Drizella got ready to blast Annabelle backward with magic when Henry said, "Drizella, I wouldn't. Look down."

Drizella looked down and saw her feet were turning to stone. In fact, her whole body was slowly turning to stone, "This is blood magic. How is this possible?"

"With a spatter of my blood, of course," said Lady Tremaine, as she stepped in, "I simply can't have you casting the curse, dear."

"This changes nothing," said Drizella, "In eight years, I'll be back, and you'll learn what true suffering is." Then a moment later, Drizella had become a statue.

Eight Years Later…

Travis, Ingrid, Annabelle, Hook, Regina, Henry, Jack, Ella and Tiana were all gathered at the courtyard of Tiana's castle, for Lucy's 8th birthday party. Tiana tapped a fork against her glass to get everyone's attention, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate the birthday of a special little girl, and to remember how lucky we are to live in a time of peace and prosperity."

"Thank you, Aunt Tiana," said Tiana. "I mean, Queen Tiana." Then, she bowed deeply to her. Ella and Tiana both lightly laughed, "Can I light the candles?"

"Oh, no, that's my job," said Regina, as she stepped forward. She waved her hands and the candles lit, "Now, make a wish," she said with a smile.

Just as Lucy was about to blow out the candles, a wind came up and blew them out. Everyone looked up and saw dark clouds roll in. As thunder clapped and lighting flashed, everyone who had a sword pulled it out and Hook said, "What the bloody hell is that?"

Then a moment later, Gothel appeared next to the statue that was Drizella. "Look at all this," she said as she stepped closer. Henry, Hook, Travis and Jack all stepped forward. Gothel continued, "Cake, presents, family. Did you really think this would be a day of celebration?"

"Don't try anything, love," said Hook.

"There's no way you can fight all of us alone," said Travis.

"Who says I'm alone?" said Gothel. There was a flash of lighting and then five hooded figures appeared behind Gothel. The figures raised their arms and lighting flashed again and Drizella was returned to normal and she fell to her knees.

"That's impossible," said Regina, "Blood magic can't be broken."

"Not by any single person," said Gothel, "but together, this family can do anything." Gothel walked over to Drizella, knelt next to her and held her face in her hands, "Come, Drizella. In days, here, the prophecy shall be fulfilled. Your curse will be cast," Gothel stood as did Drizella and Gothel continued, "The suffering shall begin." Drizella smiled. Lighting started to flash and when it stopped Gothel, Drizella and the hooded figures were gone.

Hyperion Heights
Present Day

In the bag that Victoria had stored in the mausoleum was the original Storybook. Victoria showed it to Lucy and told Lucy her story:

Rapunzel tried to get radishes from Gothel's garden to save her sick husband, Marcus, and feed their hungry children, Anastasia and Drizella. Gothel agreed to give her the radishes in exchange for trapping Rapunzel in her tower. After 6 years of captivity, Rapunzel managed to cut off most of her hair and use it as a rope to climb out of the tower. She succeeds in doing so only to find her husband remarried to Cecilia, Cinderella's mother.

Gothel reappeared to tempt Rapunzel into making Cecilia leave by poisoning her heart with a mushroom from Wonderland. Rapunzel refused at first, but she got jealous of Cecilia relationship with Drizella and ended up using the poison on Cecilia. What she didn't count on was her husband following her but eventually he gave up and went back to Rapunzel to make a perfect family. But there was an accident one day and Anastasia and Ella fell through some thin ice. Marcus dove in but could only save Ella.

Victoria then showed Lucy video footage of Jacinda and Nick kissing and telling her that Henry and left town but didn't tell her that he was with Roni and Kristin and was coming back. Seeing the video and hearing Henry was gone shattered Lucy's belief in happy endings, causing her to cry. A tear fell on the Storybook and she ran home.

Victoria used her tear on Anastasia, waking her up. But, using the tear on Anastasia caused Lucy to slip into a coma. So, in one part of the hospital while Jacinda was worried about whether Lucy would live or die. Victoria watched as her daughter, Anastasia, watched television for the first time.

Weaver and Hale walked in and saw Anastasia was awake, "Your daughter looks quite peaceful," said Weaver.

Victoria turned to face the detectives, "She's adjusting to this strange, new world, thanks to you two"

"We never would have helped you had we known Lucy was gonna pay the price," said Hale.

"But you did help me because you two were desperate to find the Guardian."

"And we did find her. She's right there in this room."

"No, my daughter is not your Guardian."

"Gothel believed she was," said Weaver. Victoria scoffed, and Weaver said, "and we'd like to find out for yourselves."

"And if we're right, her magic may be able to save Lucy, but not if she dies today," said Hale, "Drizella and Gothel are still out there, and I doubt very much that they've given up."

"You have no choice but to let us protect her," said Weaver.

San Francisco

Ingrid was looking at a small vial of liquid. She put it back in her coat as she and Regina walked up to Henry who had his back to them as he was looking at his phone. "Henry, is everything all right?" asked Ingrid.

"I missed a call from Jacinda, and now she's not picking up," said Henry, "I just I don't know. I feel like something's wrong."

"Well, if she needs you, that woman is not shy," said Regina, "Put your phone away and focus. We came here for a reason."

Ingrid took a pair of shorts out of the bag she was carrying, "Now put these on."

A short time later, Henry, Regina and Ingrid were in the back row of a spin class, "Yeah…" said Henry as he got on his bike, "Now I'm even more confused. Did I just drive halfway down the West Coast to work my quads?"

"Just play along," said Ingrid.

"And pretend you love every second of it," said Regina.

The woman leading the class said, "Good morning, beautiful souls."

"This is the person we're looking for," said Regina to Henry.

The woman leading the class had long red hair and was looking down, "You're all about to sweat like your life depends on it." She looked up and Regina and Ingrid saw it was Zelena, but her cursed name was Kelly. She looked at the class and said, "All right, my cycling monkeys. Grab onto your bikes and fly! Whoo!" She turned up the music, grabbed her towel and swung it around.

At the end of the class, as the rest of the class was filing out Kelly walked up to Regina, Henry and Ingrid, "What the hell are you doing here, Roni? This is my happy place, and you and your niece are the epicenter of my unhappiness."

"Yes, no, I-I know," stammered Regina, "Um, I'm sorry to barge in like this, but, uh…"

"We… we… really loved your class," said Ingrid.

"Big time," said Henry, out of breath, "Very inspiring. Very."

"Hi," said Kelly, "Whoever you are, stop talking. Be somewhere else."

"Great. Glad I came all this way," said Henry, he got off his bike and left.

"Who's that? New boyfriend?"

"Hmm?" said Regina. Then, she realized what Kelly said, "No," said Regina and Ingrid together, "No! God, no. No, no, no, no."

"He's, uh He's just someone who needed help," said Ingrid.

"And what do you need, Roni?" asked Kelly, "Why are you two even here? Because every time I see your face, Roni, I see the bitch that ruined my daughter's life."

"We didn't ruin her life," said Regina.

"You gave her a job at the bar, a ticket to Amsterdam, and the idea that only losers get an education. And now, instead of going to Vassar, she's at a foam party in Phuket and probably never coming home because Mum… just isn't as cool."

"I'm sorry," said Regina, "But I don't think you understand the whole story here. Hey, let's grab a drink. Okay? Just one. For old time's sake?"

"Never," said Kelly and she left.

As she was leaving, Henry rushed in, "I got to get home."

"What?" asked Ingrid, "Why?"

"It's Lucy. She's in the hospital. No one knows what's wrong with her. I'm… I'm getting on the first plane to Seattle. Do you two want to come with?"

Regina and Ingrid looked at each other, "Uh I-I really wish we could," said Regina, "But we… we can't explain it. Kelly's really important. We will be there as soon as we can. I promise."

"But you go," said Ingrid, "Go be with them. Be with your fam... Help Jacinda."

Henry gave Regina the keys to the car, "Here," then he headed out. Ingrid saw the pained look on her aunt's face. She knew she wanted to be there for Lucy, but they needed Zelena awake

The Magical Forest
Years Ago

Hook, Travis, Ingrid and Annabelle went to go see Rumplestiltskin and Elsa. During Gold, Travis and Elsa's quest to find the Guardian, there was an incident and Elsa found herself bound to the Dark One's Dagger and Gold reverted back to Rumplestiltskin. Elsa's skin now had a bluish ice crystal hue to it and she spent her days making ice sculptures with her magic as Rumple spun. Elsa and Rumple lived in the woods alone because they thought it would be best for everyone. Travis and the girls visited them as much as possible.

"Mom," said Ingrid.

Elsa looked and smiled as she saw her girls and her husband. They went up to her and hugged. Elsa felt so cold to them. "What are you doing here?" asked Elsa, "I thought you were going to Lucy's birthday party?"

"We need your help," said Travis.

"Gothel has freed Drizella," said Annabelle, "The prophecy is coming true."

"Surely you and Rumplestiltskin have some kind of magic that can stop this curse," said Hook.

"Well I do have this," said Rumple, as he pulled out a small marble white elephant. Hook tried to take it, but Rumple pulled it away, "A white elephant. Are you familiar with the expression?" Rumple played with the elephant, "A name we give to things who have outlived their useful lives, and yet persist. And I find that personally quite moving."

Hook took the elephant, "Enough games. Will this help stop the curse from happening?"

"Stop it? No, dear. Nothing can stop it," said Elsa, "But when the curse comes, that can keep your most precious relationship intact."

"Alice. So, we will remember who we are?"

"No. Your memories will be replaced," said Rumple, "But in the random tumult of the curse, it ensures you will still be father and daughter."

"You're doing this for me?" asked Hook

Rumple giggled, "I'm doing it for her." He pointed. They all looked and saw Alice standing behind them.

"Alice?" said Hook. She walked away, and Hook went after her.

While Hook was gone, Elsa looked at her family, "Don't think I've forgotten about you…" She reached into a pocket and took out a small marble white elephant and handed it to Travis. "This will make sure that you and the girls will be together." The four of them hugged again knowing that this might be the last time they would be all be together for a while.

San Francisco
Present Day

Regina and Ingrid waited outside the classroom for Kelly. Ingrid opened the small bottle and poured the contents into a bottle of scotch. Then she put the bottle back in her bag. Just then Kelly came out carrying a dress bag. She hung it up and saw that Regina and Ingrid were still there, "What are you two still doing here?"

"We waited for you," said Regina, "and you'll be glad we did, because I know deep down underneath all that overwhelming anger and resentment, you'll soon see that all of this was meaningless."

"It wasn't meaningless," said Kelly.

"You'll see. You'll remember," Regina sighed, "You know, we were like sisters."

"I'm sorry I ever felt that way," said Kelly.

Ingrid sighed, "You need a drink."

She set the bag down and took out the bottle of scotch and got some cups that were sitting next to a water dispenser, "I'd rather have some of that cucumber-mint-honey lavender water, if it will make you two leave me alone," said Kelly.

Ingrid poured three glasses, "No, no, no," said Regina, as she took a glass for herself and one for Kelly, "We are not leaving until you have a real drink with us."

Kelly reluctantly took the glass and drank some of the scotch. Regina and Ingrid watched to see what happened then Kelly went, "Ugh," and coughed, "I wish I had the cucumber-mint-honey lavender water. Ugh."

Ingrid was disappointed, she was sure that she had made the memory potion correctly, "Okay," said Regina as she set her glass down, "Okay, I've never been great at subtle. We're cursed. You don't remember it, but we really are sisters. Evil Queen, Wicked Witch."

"What are you talking ab," Kelly started to say. Then Zelena's memories started to come back. She closed her eyes then opened them

Regina and Ingrid looked at each other then back at Kelly, "Zelena?" They asked together.

Kelly was breathing heavy, "What's going on?" she saw Regina and Ingrid, "Oh, Regina. Ingrid." She laughed a little and looked around, "I teach pedaling."

Regina pulled her sister into a hug, "Oh, Zelena," said Regina, "Thank God." Ingrid smiled at the reunion.

"Oh. Oh, I was cursed. To be a hippie!"

"Listen to me. We have a problem," Regina took a deep breath, "Gothel's out, and Lucy's in terrible danger."

"Things have been changing so fast," said Ingrid, "We need you to come back with us to Hyperion Heights."

"Yeah, you're right," said Zelena, "Someone needs to pay for this."

Regina sighed in relief as she and Ingrid picked up their bags, "I am so glad you're back."

Zelena sighed as she went to grab the dress bag, "What is it?" asked Ingrid.

"It's just my… My curse persona, Kelly," said Zelena, "I mean, I had a life here."

"Yeah, I know," said Regina, "I saw it. But it's time to leave all that behind."

"Regina… It's not that easy," Zelena unzipped the dress bag and inside was a wedding dress, "I'm getting married."

Hyperion Heights

Victoria reluctantly checked Anastasia out of the hospital and they both went with Weaver and Hale to the evidence room at the police station. They were standing in front of a covered table. Waver pulled back the cover and showed them 5 different daggers, "Now, we've performed this test many times," said Weaver, "Carried these blades a long way."

"It's quite simple," said Hale, "All you have to do is tell us which one of these has magic."

Anastasia looked at them and picked up one that looked like the Dark Ones' Dagger, "Is it that one?" asked Weaver.

"No. It isn't," she put the knife down. Then the table started to shake. Then the daggers rose from the table and flew across the room to a cabinet and stuck in the door, "I think maybe it's in there."

Weaver went over to the cabinet and opened it. He took out a case and inside was the Dark Ones' Dagger that clearly read Rumplestiltskin & Elsa of Arendelle on it.

Anastasia turned to her mother, "I don't want power if it's gonna do things like that."

"Don't be afraid," said Hale, "This power can be used to help people, to heal people. In fact, there's a little girl who desperately needs your help."

"So, if you're ready, it's time to show what you can do," said Weaver.

San Francisco

Zelena zipped the bag back up, "He's a good bloke, Regina," she said, "A real solid, regular guy. And I may have been cursed, but I was happy.

"Well, after we save Lucy and get rid of Gothel and Drizella, maybe you can come back here and marry him then," said Ingrid.

"How can I promise to be faithful and true if I'm lying to him? It's no longer me, but it is also me. It's like I'm both. I mean, I still love him."

Regina sighed, "I'm sorry, Zelena. Coming here was a big mistake. You have a life. We didn't mean to screw it up."

"No, you're not," said Zelena, "L-Listen. Look, I love you. And we have to save our family and our people, no matter what it means personally. I mean, that's what heroes do, right?"

Regina nodded a little, "Right."

"Okay. Let's go." Zelena grabbed her dress bag and then took her sisters and they walked out of the gym hand in and with Ingrid behind them.

The Magical Forest
Many Years Ago

Hook, Ella, Jack, Tiana, Travis, Ingrid and Annabelle were trying to find a way to stop Drizella from casting the curse, when Lucy ran in, "Mother!"

"Lucy," said Ella, as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, "What are you doing back here?"

Henry and Ella had decided to take a page out of his grandparents' playbook. Henry was going to take Lucy to the Enchanted Forest to build a magic wardrobe. If Drizella casted the curse he and Lucy were going to go through the wardrobe and find everyone and break the curse.

"They got him," said Lucy, "The witches. They got Father."

"Then we have to get him back," said Jack.

"Go" said Tiana, "I'll stay with Lucy. Nothing will happen to her."

Everyone turned to leave then Ella said, "Wait," Everyone stopped, and Ella continued, "This is exactly what Drizella wants. To distract us from stopping this curse. And if we don't, nothing will matter. Not even Henry."

On a dark mountain top, there was a large wagon wheel shape that looked like it had pitchforks as each spoke carved into the rock. there were flashes of lighting and eight hooded figures appeared on top of each spoke. One of the figures was Gothel. Another figure lowered her hood to revel it was Drizella. She unrolled a small scroll in her hands and looked at the writing, "I have waited so many years to cast this curse." She looked over at Gothel, "Thank you for everything."

Just then they heard Lady Tremaine's voice behind them, "You finally found a mother figure." They turned to look at her, "You do realize that she's just using you."

"You can't control me anymore," said Drizella, "Now I'm going to control you. You see, in this new land, you're going to think that you cast this curse."

"Why the hell would I cast a curse?"

"To save Anastasia, of course. You're going to think that you did all of this to help her, when actually, you'll be in service to me. And then, I'm going to rip her from your arms forever. Now, stop asking silly questions, and go to sleep." She waved her hand and Lady Tremaine fell to the ground.

"Still working through those mommy issues, I see," said Regina, as she and Zelena walked in, "I bet we can help with that."

"We pretty much invented that," said Zelena.

"Regina. Zelena. Sisters together again," said Drizella, "Afraid that's not going to be enough."

"Oh, she's not the only one I brought." Just then Hook, Ella, Jack, Travis, Annabelle and Ingrid rushed in.

They each put a sword up to the necks of one of the hooded figures, except for Hook who went up to Gothel and put his Hook to her heck, "Hello again, love."

"Always a pleasure, Captain," said Gothel.

"Ooh," said Drizella, "A pirate, a prince, three princesses, and Jack and the beanstalk. Ooh, how will I ever defeat you?"

Regina sent a blast of magic at Drizella and knocked her to her feet, "You want a witch fight?" asked Regina, as Drizella got to her feet, "Happy to oblige." She used her magic to pin Drizella to a rockface and magically held her there by her neck. Zelena then waved her hand and scroll containing the curse disappeared out of Drizella's hand and appeared in Zelena's. She handed the scroll to her sister and Regina said, "But as you can see, you will not be casting this curse."

"I know," Drizella strained to say, "That's why you're going to cast it."

"What?"

"Show her."

"May I?" asked Gothel. Hook looked at Regina. Regina nodded, and he let go of the witch. Gothel walked up to the one unguarded figures. Drizella smiled as Gothel lowered the hood to reveal it to be Henry. He was gagged, his hands were tied together, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Henry!" said Regina as she released her hold on Drizella and she and Ella rushed over to him, as he fell to the ground. Regina untied him while Ella removed the gag. Henry started to cough, "What did you do to him?"

"What witches do best," said Gothel, "We poisoned him."

Regina tried to use her magic to pull the poison out of Henry, but nothing happened, "It's not working!" said Ella, almost in tears.

"And it's not going to," said Drizella, "As a matter of fact, the only thing that can… is a trip to a land without magic."

"Don't do this, Drizella," said Regina, "I can't just can't just cast a curse. It takes time, and ingredients."

"Eight… to be exact. And I have seven of them right here. The only one I'm missing the most important one, and, of course, the hardest to find is magic from a witch who crushed the heart of the thing she loves most. So, Regina. What'll it be? My curse, Or his life?"

Hyperion Heights
Present Day

In the evidence room, Weaver was having Anastasia copy a spell on to a piece of paper, "I don't understand," she asked Weaver, "How does this help that girl?"

"It's a spell," said Weaver, "but it can only activate if it's imbued with magic, and, in this land, you're the only one who has it."

"I am? But what about…" Anastasia stopped talking.

"Ana?" asked Victoria, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Someone's here," Anastasia looked at the door, "It's her. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no." She put her hands on the side of her head and looked down at the table.

The room started to shake, "What's going on?" asked Victoria.

"She's losing control," said Hale, "Anastasia, look at me." Anastasia looked up at the blond detective, "You have to calm down."

Just then the door to the evidence room opened and Gothel was standing there, "Hello, Ana." Anastasia got even more scared. Hale knew that Anastasia was about to lost control of her magic. But before she could tell Weaver and Victoria to get down. There was a flash, as light bulbs started to explode. Then, there was a blast of magic and Weaver, Hale and Victoria were all thrown in the air and Gothel was knocked off her feet. When Weaver, Hale and Victoria hit the ground they were all knocked unconscious.

The Magical Forest
Years Ago

Henry continued to cough and groan, "Ella.

"Henry," said Ella.

"I'm so, so, sorry."

Ella looked at her mother-in-law, "We have to do something."

"There's nothing you can do except cast the curse," said Drizella.

"Fine," said Regina, as she stood up, "I'll do it.

"No, no, no!" said Henry weakly.

Zelena grabbed her sister's arm to stop her, "Regina."

"Zelena, move," said Regina.

"This is not what he wants."

"Wouldn't you do it for Robin?" asked Hook, as he stepped forward, "I would for Alice."

Travis stepped forward, "If it was Annabelle or Ingrid… I'd do it… Let her do it, Zelena."

Zelena thought about it and Hook and Travis were right. If it was Robin she would do it. She let go of Regina and she walked to the edge of the circle., "All right. Let's do this," Regina put her palm up, "But know one thing. It is not over." Gothel and Drizella smiled. A cut appeared across Regina's palm and it started to bleed. Then she tipped her hand and let the blood drip down to circle. An orange liquid appeared and started to fill the circle. When the liquid converged in the center, it exploded into a fiery column of orange magic and smoke.

Alice, Rumple and Elsa saw the magic building from the top of the mountain. "Is this it?" asked Alice. Rumple and Elsa looked at her. He had a tea cup and she was holding a snowflake necklace, "Take these," said Rumple. "We've put Mr. Gold and Elsa in a room in our minds."

"These are the keys," said Elsa, "Get them to us, and it'll open."

"If it doesn't, you know what you have to do."

Just then they heard a woman's voice, "Alice," they turned and saw Zelena's daughter Robin run up to them, "I got your letter."

"You came," said Alice.

"Of course I came," said Robin. Alice went to her love and kiss her. Rumple and Elsa looked away. It was hard for them to see two people in so much love with each other and be separated from the one they loved. Robin broke the kiss and said, "I just had to see your face one last time."

"No, no, not the last.," said Alice, she kissed Robin's hand, "We'll always know each other. Even if we don't."

Robin gave her love a sad smile. Then Alice wrapped her arms around Robin. Then, there was flash of lighting and a crash of thunder. Rumple and Elsa walked over to them and they looked up and saw orange lighting flashing in the sky.

Back on the mountain, Travis, Ingrid and Annabelle watched as the column of magic and smoke got higher and higher. Travis held on to his girls and hugged them. He kissed Ingrid on the forehead, "Love you, Peanut."

"I love you, too, Daddy," said Ingrid

Travis kissed Annabelle, "Love you, Sweet Pea."

"I love you, too, Daddy," said Annabelle. They watched as smoke and orange magic moved toward them and surrounded them, transporting them to The Land Without Magic.

San Francisco
Present Day

Ingrid was helping Zelena load Henry's car for the drive back to Hyperion Heights when Regina walked up, "That was Henry," said Regina as Zelena slammed the tailgate, "Lucy's no better.

Zelena thought for a second and said, "Well, tell him to try True Love's Kiss."

"He already did. Belfrey must have done the one thing she's been trying to do for years… She took Lucy's belief. It doesn't work unless both of you believe in True Love.

"So, if we want to help Lucy," said Ingrid, "we have to get our magic back. And there's only one way to do that."

Regina knew the answer, but she didn't want to say it, "Break the curse. But if we do that, Henry dies. And if we don't, Lucy does."

Hyperion Heights

Rogers and Tilly arrived at the evidence room and saw the doors open and the room a mess, "Oh, it's all upside-down," said Tilly.

"Weaver? Hale?" called Rogers.

"Yeah, we're over here," said Weaver, as he and Hale were standing up.

"What the hell happened? And don't tell me you'd explain, but I wouldn't believe it anyway."

"Honestly, Detective," said Hale, "I don't quite believe it myself."

"Well, there's something else you won't believe," said Rogers, "Tilly and I found something over by the troll. There's a symbol painted there."

"Let me guess," said Weaver as he held up a coin with the wagon wheel shape they found in Eloise Gardener's notebook, "Did it look like this?"

"Yeah. It's the symbol from Eloise's notebook. What the devil does it mean?"

"It means they're here," said Hale.