Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Decision Between Two Worlds

Still in StoryBrooke

David was the first to reach the large blue dome in the middle of the street. He stopped a few feet in front of it, tilting his head to the side. The others came up behind him, Leroy gasping for breath.

"Did we have to run?" He wheezed, doubling over. Nobody answered him, as the attention of the group was focused on the dome.

Regina came up beside David. "What do you think it is?" The Sheriff asked her, for he certainly didn't know what to expect. Regina shook her head. "I honestly have no idea. It could be a protection spell. Though I don't know why it would be put up. The Lost Curse has already taken effect." Regina looked down at her hands mournfully, curling and uncurling her fingers. "My magic is gone."

"Well, we certainly aren't going to figure anything out by just standing here." Captain Hook stated boldly, pushing past David. He walked straight towards the barrier, and pressed his hand against it. The dome made a sound, like an electrical shock, and the Captain pulled his hand back, looking down at his palm. It had gone from his natural skin colour to a dark red.

He backed away from the barrier and let the others look at his hand. "I've got a feeling that that barrier isn't for protection." He stated, wincing as Belle tried dabbing at his burn.

Regina turned away from the barrier. "Well, we can't worry about the barrier now. We have to find Gerda." Mary Margaret and David turned from the barrier as well. "Agreed." Mary Margaret stated. "The sooner we find her, the sooner we can get to the bottom of Emma's plan."

The whole group agreed, and started to walk away from the barrier, heading for the town line, based on what Robin had seen before he passed out.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about Gerda." Regina and the rest of the group stopped. The Mayor turned around, and felt her heart drop.

"Emma."


Gerda had reached the town line. She looked at the large sign that read 'StoryBrooke' in large letters, and sighed. Was she doing the right thing?

She heard storm clouds behind her and looked back. Her heart dropped. The large black clouds that had covered StoryBrooke had reached out to the edge of the town, right where Gerda was. They stopped right over her head, and Gerda knew something wasn't right. She couldn't definitely tell by the colour of the clouds, which were black, that they were not regular storm clouds.

Suddenly, a large portion of the clouds created a funnel and swept down and around Gerda, surrounding her. She cried out, trying to escape, but she couldn't. All she could see were the black clouds, and….her pendant around her neck. Gerda had forgotten about the pendant yet again, and now only remembered it because it was glowing. It shone bright blue and sent a line of blue light into the funnel of black clouds, making a large enough hole for Gerda to jump out of. Gerda didn't think twice as she leapt through the hole, falling onto the pavement. She looked behind her at the funnel of clouds and moved back. The clouds moved towards her slowly, ready to engulf her once again. But the pendant glowed brightly, and sent another line of bright blue light into the clouds, separating them. The clouds then fell to the ground and dissolved. The black clouds in the sky still remained, but no other funnel formed.

Gerda took a minute to breathe, feeling her chest to make sure her heart was still beating. Were the clouds preventing her from leaving StoryBrooke? Or was something else happening?

"She doesn't want you to leave, you know." Gerda turned around and stood up quickly. Mr. Gold was standing a few feet away from her, holding her sword. He gave her a sly smile. "Nobody else wants you to leave, either."

Gerda looked at him, shifting her backpack onto her back, so the straps were on bother her shoulders. "And why should I stay?" Gerda questioned. "Nobody told me what was going on, leaving me in the dark, and Emma wants to kill me!"

Mr. Gold gave a soft chuckle. "Are you sure about that?" He asked. "Yes, your family kept you in the dark, but are you quite sure Emma wants to kill you?"

Gerda thought about this. "Zelena told me…"

"And you actually believe her? After everything she has done to you and your father?" Mr. Gold scoffed. "I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't believe her."

Gerda rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm not you." She turned around and started to walk away.

"She didn't take your magic." Gerda stopped, curling and uncurling her fingers. "Who didn't?" She demanded.

Mr. Gold sighed. "Emma didn't. Those clouds were supposed to take away your magic, but she made sure you were protected." Gerda turned around and faced the previous Dark One, now curious. "Those clouds were trying to steal my magic?" She asked, dumb-founded. "Why? And if Emma wanted to kill me, why would she want me to keep my magic?"

Mr. Gold placed the sword on the ground and crossed his arms. "You tell me. Think about it."
Gerda obeyed him, and closed her eyes, putting all the facts together. "She doesn't want me dead." She finally answered. Mr. Gold smiled. "No, she doesn't." Mr. Gold thought back to what the mirror told him. Gerda has to be part of Emma's plan. "No, Emma doesn't want you dead, but she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her way."

To prove his point, Mr. Gold walked over to one of the clouds left over from the funnel that tried to capture Gerda. Scooping it up, he placed it in Gerda's hand.

"This is no ordinary cloud, Gerda." Mr. Gold explained. "It was made by magic, and can do things no ordinary cloud could.

Wanting to prove another point, Mr. Gold looked at Gerda.

"Ask it to show you Emma."


"Hello there." Emma said, smiling wickedly. The others hadn't seen her appear in the middle of the blue dome, but there she was. And there was someone lying at her feet, currently unconscious.

"Zelena!" Regina exclaimed. For once, she showed genuine concern for her older sister, as she saw her lying on the ground.

Mary Margaret and David stepped forward. "Emma!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, though this time, there were no tears in her eyes. Regina could see anger spread across her face. "What have you done?"

Emma laughed, tilting her head to the side.

"Hello mother. Why, I have merely rid this town of useless magic." Emma explained. Regina curled her hands into fists. 'My magic is not useless." She spat, stepping forward. Henry grabbed her arm. "Mom, don't let her get to you." He pleaded.

Emma saw her son grabbing onto Regina's arm. "Henry." She stated, her voice and tone darker than before. "You don't understand. I'm doing this for you. For us." Henry merely shook his head, and stepped back beside David, who wrapped his arm around his grandson. "What you're doing isn't right, Emma." David stated.

"Oh, and what Regina did was tolerable enough for forgiveness?" Emma demanded. "Trust me, you will all thank me for this."

"I doubt that." Emma turned and face Captain Hook, who had stepped closer to the barrier, though far enough so that he couldn't stretch his hand out and touch it again. "No one is thanking you for taking away Regina's magic, and no one is thanking you for putting Henry or Gerda's life on the line." He spat.

Emma looked lovingly at the Captain. "Killian, never did I once endanger my son." She stated. "He has been safe with you and Regina, hasn't he?"

"Not when you sent Zelena to draw blood from him, or set the Lost Curse on the town to take away his abilities." Regina interrupted, stepping up beside Killian. Emma sighed. "I will make sure Henry gains his abilities once again." Emma promised, looking to her son. "All I need is for you to be patient."

But Henry shook his head again. "No. What you're doing is wrong." He spat, moving away from David. He walked right up to the barrier, the magical force only mere millimeters away from his face. "Mom's magic is gone, Gerda isn't here, and Robin is in the hospital. I don't care if I ever get my magic back, I just want you to stop."

Before Emma could say anything, Henry stepped away, turning to Regina. "We need to find Gerda, Mom." He stated, grabbing her hand and pulling her away. Emma watched him walk away, holding Regina's hand. She curled her own hands into fists. "I'm afraid none of you are going anywhere."

Emma snapped her fingers. Henry and Regina froze. Against their will, their bodies turned around, and stepped forward, stopping right beside David and Mary Margaret. "What are you doing?" Regina demanded, struggling against the invisible force that kept her rooted to the spot.

Emma turned away from her and the others. "You are to remain there and watch the show." She explained, stopping right in front of Zelena. "But don't worry, you won't be the only ones watching."


To Gerda's surprise, the cloud did what she asked, and showed her Emma. The cloud began to change colours, and gave Gerda a clear view of what she was missing in the town.

She watched as Emma snapped her fingers again and again, making people appear out of thin air. She could see Henry and Regina struggle as they tried to move, but something held them back. Mary Margaret was holding back tears as David banged his hands on a large blue dome, trying to get Emma to stop. He eventually had to stop himself, and Gerda could see why. His hands were covered in red blisters from the dome.

"What is she doing?" Gerda asked, feeling her stomach lurch. Mr. Gold stuck his hands in his pockets. "She's making sure everyone is there to see her plan in motion. But, did you notice that someone very important to you wasn't with the others?" Mr. Gold asked.

Gerda felt her stomach drop. "Where's Uncle Robin?" She looked at Mr. Gold. He merely shrugged.

"Show me Robin Hood." Gerda demanded of the cloud. The cloud began to change colours like it had before, and Gerda's wish was granted.

Gerda saw her uncle clutching Roland in a hospital room, his fingers trembling. Roland was crying, and Robin was trying to comfort him.

Then suddenly, the crying stopped, as Roland disappeared. Robin looked around desperately, calling out his young son's name. But then, he stopped calling, because he too had disappeared. The image of her uncle faded. Gerda let her head drop.

"She really wants me to go back." Gerda stated out loud. Mr. Gold nodded. "You must make the right decision, Gerda." He said. Then he, along with everyone else in the town, was taken away from where he currently stood.

Gerda looked at where Mr. Gold was once standing. "Mr. Gold?" She asked. She received no reply. Looking around, Gerda knew she was all alone. Placing the cloud back on the ground, Gerda picked up her sword from where it was laying on the street, and held it in both hands.

"I need to go back."


The main street of StoryBrooke was packed with all its residents, who talked amongst themselves, confused and scared as to why they were there. The large blue dome was the cause for many questions, as well as the large black clouds in the sky, which made it seem like it was late at night outside, even though it was only mid-afternoon. However, after several minutes, most of the townsfolk had noticed Emma standing in the middle of the dome, and demanded answers from her.

"Why are we being kept here?"

"What have you done to our town?"

"You're a monster!" Accusations filled the air, and soon everyone was yelling at the Dark One. With all the commotion going on around them, Regina and Henry hadn't realized that they were no longer frozen. They stretched quickly, and Henry looked at his mom. "Let's go find Gerda." He suggested. Regina nodded, not knowing what else to do. But just as they made their way through the crowds, they heard a familiar loud voice speak out among the rest.

"We don't have to stand around here!" Leroy stated. "Let's get out of here!" The townsfolk agreed with Leroy, and followed him as he started to walk away from the large blue dome.

Emma watched what the residents of StoryBrooke were doing, and smiled. "I'm afraid I can't let you leave." She snapped her fingers.

Henry and Regina were right at the far edge of the blue dome that led to the town line when they heard screaming behind them. "Everyone get back!" Regina turned around to see what was going on. All she could see were people running back around the dome, circling it.

"Mom!" Regina turned back to Henry and gasped. Standing only a few feet in front of Henry were large black and brown beasts the size of motorcycles, which surrounded the townsfolk. They looked like large dogs, and had sharp teeth and sharper nails on their toes. Their eyes were a bright orange, their fur covered in red streaks. They growled at the townsfolk, pressing them back. Regina pulled Henry back.

Emma laughed. "You see, I need everyone here for what is about to happen next. And these, pets, will make sure you stay."

"What exactly are we waiting for?" Dr. Archie Hopper called out. The townsfolk mumbled the same question, less courageous than they were before the beasts showed up. Before Emma could answer, a familiar voice shouted out the answer first.

"She's making you wait for me." The townsfolk turned towards the direction of the town line, craning their necks to see who Emma was making them wait for.

Gerda stood a few feet behind two of the large beasts, holding her sword in her right hand. The pendant on her neck was glowing a bright blue.

"Gerda!" Regina called out, stepping towards her. A large brown beast, however, stepped in front of her, growling at her to move back. Regina obliged, pulling Henry along.

Emma tilted her head to the side. "So Gerda, we meet at last." She looked to a large black beast which was standing right beside Gerda. "Bring her forward." The large black beast nodded, and nuzzled its head into Gerda's back, pushing her forward. Gerda walked until she was only a foot in front of the dome, then started to stop. "I know what this barrier will do to me." She said. "I'm not going in."

Emma laughed. "I'm afraid you have no choice." She snapped her fingers. The black beast that pushed Gerda forward grabbed Gerda with its front paw, its claws digging into Gerda's arm. She cried out at the pain, and the beast pushed her into the barrier. Gerda went right through it and fell onto her knees.

"Gerda!" A familiar voice called out. Regina looked around and saw Robin and Roland only standing a few feet away.

"Robin!" Regina called out, rushing forward to him, with Henry following. Regina came up beside Robin and hugged him. "How did you-"

She was interrupted by Emma. "Come Gerda, is a little dog going to stop you?"

Gerda looked up at the Dark One, and got to her feet. "Gerda?" Emma looked behind her, seeing that Zelena had woken up. The witch looked around her, horrified. She looked to Gerda. "Gerda, get out of here!"

"Oh, I'm afraid it's too late for that." Emma hauled Zelena to her feet and held her in front of her body, holding her against her will. "Gerda isn't going anywhere."

Gerda held out her sword defensively. "Let her go!" She demanded. Emma laughed.

"And why should I?" Emma asked, tilting her head to the side. "After everything she has done, you want me to let her go?"


As Henry watched the scene unfold in front of him, he was starting to feel some major deja vu. He suddenly remembered where he had seen this happen before. He turned to Robin. "This happened in my dream." He said, feeling his stomach drop. "And I don't know if it ends well." Henry turned back to Emma and Gerda, hoping against hope that his dream wasn't going to come true.

Emma pulled something shiny from her pocket and held it against Zelena's throat. She pushed her down in front of her knees.

"Come, Gerda. You know you want her dead. I have her here for you. Just do it. You know you can." Emma cooed wickedly, a knife pressed against Zelena's throat. Henry thought back to his dream, trying to remember all the details. He knew one that was missing: no one was covered in a faint blue glow anymore. That must have been part of the dream. Henry watched outside the magical barrier, helpless as he read the emotions on Gerda's face.

"Gerda, you don't have to do this!" He could hear David yelling. Henry remembered that David also had a blue glow around him in the dream, but that it too was gone. That confirmed that the faint blue glow was only part of the dream. His grandfather banged his fists against the magical shield. It repelled them all from getting near Emma and Gerda. "Fight it Gerda!" He then had to pull his hands away as they started to burn.

Gerda looked over to David, holding out her sword. Something glowed on her chest, and Henry wasn't able to make out what is was in the dream. But now he knew: Gerda's pendant was glowing brightly on her chest. Henry also noticed the dark stain spreading on Gerda's arm, which must have been caused by the black beast that pushed her through the barrier. Henry felt his heart drop. His cousin had been badly wounded, and needed help. But he couldn't do anything.

Gerda looked back at Emma, holding out her sword. "Why are you doing this?" She demanded, daring to step closer to the Dark One. Zelena whimpered at Emma's knees, tears spilling down her face. Could Gerda really do this?

Emma tilted her head to the side, and smiled. "I want to know the desires of your heart. I want to know who you truly are, Gerda of Locksley." Emma shoved Zelena away from her, the witch falling onto her side. She looked up at her daughter, scared. "Please Gerda." She whimpered, clutching her stomach. "You don't understand what happened."

Zelena tried to stand, but was too weak, and merely fell back onto the street, sobbing. Gerda held her sword aloft, but there was something in her eyes. A look she had supressed around those she loved. Anger.

"You abandoned me, and you abandoned my father." Gerda spat, looking down at her mother. Anger now spread across her face, and Henry watched in horror as Gerda's hands began to shake. "You left us alone, and you tell me that I don't understand?" Gerda raised her sword, as a jolt of light pulsed through Gerda. She looked down at her mother.

The sword dropped. Henry shut his eyes. A scream filled the night.


Henry looked back up when he heard the crowd of people around him gasp. Gerda hadn't run her sword through Zelena like he had thought. And the scream hadn't come from Zelena, who looked up at Gerda in shock.

No, Gerda was the one who had screamed. But she wasn't screaming in pain. She was screaming in anger. She dropped her sword onto the street and helped her mother to her feet, looking at Emma.

"Did you honestly think that I would kill my mother? Just like that?" She questioned. Gerda pushed Zelena behind her protectively, picking up her sword. "Yes, I have held anger against my mother, but I've been able to work through that. And this isn't the first time someone has tried to use my anger against me." Gerda cocked her head in Regina's direction. "Back when Aunt Regina was the Evil Queen, she tried to use my anger against me to steal my power. Well now, I know better. You're not getting my magic."

Gerda waited for Emma to respond.

Emma looked at the girl, and to everyone's surprise, started to laugh. "Oh Gerda, you're absolutely right. I'm not going to get your magic, because I don't want it." Emma waved her hand. Zelena disappeared out from inside the dome and reappeared at Regina's side. Emma then twisted her hand, and large vines came up through the ground and wrapped themselves around Gerda. The town gasped in shock as Gerda struggled.

"Now Gerda, let me do some explaining." Emma stated, coming up beside her. She plucked Gerda's sword out of her hand and threw it back behind her. "You won't be needing this." Emma smiled.

"You see Gerda, I do in fact need something from you: your heart. No, it is not to kill you, I just have to borrow it for a few minutes." When Gerda gave her a confused look, Emma rolled her eyes.

"As anyone would tell you Gerda, I have been after you for a few weeks now. Everyone assumes I want to kill you, but that isn't it at all! I need your heart to take us all home." Emma stated, tilting her head to the side.

"You, want to take us home?" Regina asked. Emma turned to her, and smiled. "Yes. You see, I've been doing a bit of reading, from one of the books I stole from Belle's collection of them in the library, and I found a spell that can send us all home. To the Enchanted Forest."

"Then why do you need me?" Gerda questioned, still struggling against the vines." Emma turned to her and walked up to her, stroking her finger across the girl's face. "I need you because I need the heart of one with the lightest magic." Emma stated. "You see Gerda, I already knew about what happened in the Enchanted Forest between you and the Evil Queen all those years ago. I know that you didn't let your anger get the best of you, and I know that you smashed that certain pendant you're wearing on the ground." Emma picked up the pendant from where it laid on Gerda's chest and held it in her hand. "But you see, I repaired it. The necklace will still take away your magic if used for the wrong purposes, but now, it will also show what magic resides in your heart.

Gerda thought about this. "So, you wanted to test me? You were testing me to see if I would kill my mother or not, just so you could see my heart, and the magic that is inside it?"

Emma smiled. "I wanted to see your heart because I needed to make sure it was the right one. A heart full of light magic, with the desire to help others, not hurt them. And you do have that heart. A heart full of that light magic I desperately need." Emma held her hand out over Gerda, right over her heart.

"The spell requires two hearts. One of the darkest magic, and one of the lightest magic. Together, our hearts will created a portal that will send us all to the Enchanted Forest."

Gerda knew what was coming, and started struggling against the vines. Regina stepped forward, wanting to stop Emma, but she couldn't do anything.

"This will only hurt for a second, Gerda." Emma promised her, stretching her hand closer to Gerda.

"Good, because this will hurt a lot longer." Gerda had freed her fist from the vines and punched Emma right in the cheek, pushing her back.

With the small distraction, Gerda used her magic to free herself from the vines. She fell onto the street. Emma turned back to Gerda. "You little brat." She snapped. "You'll pay for that."

"I'll pay any price to protect my family." Gerda countered. "Light magic tends to make you want to do that."

Emma reeled back her hand, sending a stream of fire at Gerda. Gerda defended herself by holding up her hand, creating a white shield. Emma grinned and sent another shot, this time of electrified magic. Gerda dodged it and pushed out her hand, a stream of water flaring from her fingers.


Mr. Gold watched the two fight, smoldering. The mirror told him that Gerda had to be part of Emma's plan, and it wasn't happening. He needed to do something so that Emma would have Gerda's heart. He looked around, his eyes landing on young Roland, who was standing beside his father. He had an idea.


Gerda had held Emma off, causing the Dark One to sweat. Emma took a minute to breath, and saw Mr. Gold pointing at something. Emma followed the direction his finger was pointing and saw Roland watching his cousin. An evil smile crossed her lips.

Holding up her hand, Emma closed her eyes. A small hole appeared in the barrier right in front of Roland. Roland saw it and was about to show Robin, but was pulled inside. Robin saw his son inside the large dome and gasped. "Roland!" He cried out, pressing his hands against the barrier. He pulled them away instantly, his hands burning.

Emma pulled Roland to her side and held him, ignoring the small boy's struggles. "Look who I have, Gerda."

Gerda dropped her hands, about to send another burst of magic. "Roland!" She cried out, stepping forward. Emma held up her free hand. "Ah ah ah. Don't take another step."

Roland whimpered at Emma's side. "Gerda…" He called out, reaching for her. Emma looked down, and smiled. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to little Roland here, would you?" She asked, her voice sweet as candy. She brushed her fingers through his hair.

"Please, leave him alone." Gerda pleaded. Emma looked up at her. "Then give me your heart, and I'll leave him be." Gerda looked at the Dark One, then looked at her family. Robin and Regina gave her sad looks, while Zelena shook her head.

Gerda sighed, turning back to Emma. "Very well." Gerda walked forward and stopped in front of Emma.

She held out her hand, and Roland grabbed on, tears falling down his small face. Emma smiled. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" She tilted her head to the side. She then stuck her hand inside Gerda's chest. Gerda gasped in pain, watching as the Dark One pulled out her heart.

It glowed a bright red, beating rapidly. Emma let go of Roland, who clung to Gerda. She scooped him up into her arms and stepped back. Emma looked at the crowd gathered around her. "Tonight, we return home." She announced. She then reached into her own chest and pulled out her heart, which also glowed red, but was covered in black.

Emma smiled at Gerda. "You did the right thing." She stated. "That tends to happen when your heart is full of light magic." Emma then closed her eyes. At first, nothing happened. But then, everyone could feel a rumbling under their feet. The ground started to shake in the middle of the dome, and Gerda moved back, holding Roland close. He buried his face in his cousin's shoulder. Emma's eyes were still closed as the ground in front of her opened up, a large green and blue portal swirling in the centre of the street. The large dome surrounding Gerda, Roland and Emma dissolved, leaving Emma unprotected.

Emma finally opened her eyes, and looking at Gerda, smiled. "Here you go, just as I promised." She threw Gerda's heart in the girl's direction. Gerda placed Roland down quickly and caught it in mid-air, placing it back in her chest.

A voice rose from inside the portal startling everyone. "Where do you want this portal to take you?" It asked, its voice loud as it echoed through the crowd. Emma was about to answer when Regina jumped her, sending her to the ground. Regina held her there and tied a gag around her mouth. "Oh no you don't." She stated, grinning. "You're not taking this town anywhere."

Roland ran to Robin as the rest of the town scattered, since all the beasts had disappeared along with the dome.

Gerda was about to walk over to her family when she heard another voice in the portal.

"Gerda?" Gerda looked at the portal, feeling her heart drop. "Father?" Robin and Regina heard the voice too, suddenly remembered Gerda. They looked up at her, watching their niece walk towards the portal.

"Gerda no!" Regina called out, standing up.

"Gerda, I'm in here!" Michael called out. Gerda was standing right over the portal, looking inside. Father, I'm out here!" Gerda responded.

Regina and Robin walked forward. "Gerda, don't move any closer!" Regina stated. Gerda looked up at her. But it didn't matter. From inside the portal, a pair of hands stretched out and grabbed on Gerda's legs, pulling her inside.

"Gerda!" Robin cried out, running to the portal. He reached the edge of the portal and jumped, ready to enter the portal. But it was too late. The portal closed as Robin was in the air, and Robin landed on the street.

"No, no!" He cried out, pounding his fists on the street. Regina, who was running right after Robin, stopped. Her heart had dropped. Emma's portal had worked, but not the way she expected it to. The portal hadn't taken them back home, but had taken Gerda.

Robin turned to Regina. "Where did it take her?" He demanded. Regina looked at him, and sighed. "It took her to where her father is, Robin. It took her to Oz."

To Be Continued….

Be on the lookout for the final installment in this series, THE LAST STAND