Okay. Thank you to everyone who left reviews! I am so sorry it's taken me so long to post this chapter. I've been getting ready for the holiday and work has been crazy. But I do hope you all enjoy this chapter. It's a little shorter than normal.
Your reviews keep me motivated, though, so please, keep doing it! :)
Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…
It's nighttime in the forest as a wealthy carriage rides down the dirt road, being pulled by four horses, each ridden by a knight. It comes to stop when a man dressed in armor and helmet, carrying a shield, stands in the middle of the road, drawing his sword.
"And just who might you be?" One of the knights asks the mysterious man.
"I'm the man who's going to relieve you of that chest full of gold you are transporting." The armored man tells him.
The knights begin to laugh. "You and what army?"
"Well, I'm glad you asked." The man raises his sword as a signal and flaming arrows begin to light from inside the woods. The knights look a bit frightened by the flaming arrows that are now surrounding them. "Your choice. Save your lives or the gold."
"Retreat!" The knight shouts. The horses turn around and head the opposite way down the road, leaving the carriage of gold.
As the knights disappear into the night, the mystery man pulls off his helmet, revealing himself as Captain Hook. "Smee!?" Smee walks up. "Those arrows took a lot longer to light than discussed."
"Well, it wasn't easy lighting all of them by ourselves, Captain." Mr. Smee explains as two other pirates' approach. "Maybe if we had an actual army…"
"And share in the spoils?" Hook bemuses. "I think not."
They walk over to the carriage and Smee grabs the keys to unlock it. "I got to say, it's good to be at your side again, sir, and not as a rat." He opens the carriage's door and the two other pirates remove a treasure chest that's inside.
Smee breaks the chest's lock and reveals mounds of gold and treasure. "What did I tell you, Mates? You don't need a ship to be a pirate." Hook laughs.
At a tavern, Hook and his small crew are inside gambling and drinking.
Hook raises his tankard of beer in the air. "To the most clever, dastardly band of pirates to ever set sa – " He and Smee begin to laugh at his mistake of almost saying sail. " – stride on the open roads!"
"To Captain Hook!" Smee shouts, raising his own tankard. Everyone in the bar raise their glass and cheer to Hook. "The boys and I chipped in and got you something." He gestures towards a wench, who is obviously a prostitute, standing by the bar.
"Oh." The wench walks over with a smile on her face, grabbing Hook's hand. "Mr. Smee, how did you know?" Hook says, looking pleased, allowing the wench to lead him out of the tavern.
Outside the tavern, Hook smiles at the wench as he hands her a bag full of coins. "I don't understand." She says, confused. "Your men took care of me."
"And tomorrow you shall tell them that you had a grand time. Goodnight."
The wench walks away as Hook sighs with sadness, only having one woman on his mind – Emma. He begins walking down the alley until he is suddenly hit in the head with a blunt object, causing him to fall on the ground, groaning in pain as he holds his head. The woman responsible then gets on top of him and threatens the pirate with a knife at his throat. "Move, and I'll slit your throat."
But because of his blurred vision, Hook couldn't quite make out who the mysterious woman is threatening him. "Not a good plan for you." He tells her. "I'm guessing you don't know who I am."
"I know exactly who you are, Captain Hook."
"Well, then, I'm at a disadvantage." Hook smiles. His vision finally becomes clear, seeing the familiar face.
"My name's Ariel." The red-head mermaid introduces herself. "And you're gonna pay for what you've done."
Storybrooke / Present…
Inside the loft, David and Emma are sitting on the floor attempting to put together the baby's crib.
David is looking down at the instructions in his hands, baffled. "I've seen enemy battle plans that were easier to decode than this."
"Let me see." David hands the instructions over to his daughter.
"Are you sure Avia is okay?" Snow asks from the rocking chair she is sitting in.
"Yeah." Emma assures her mother. "I told you, it's tradition for me to let her sleep in for her birthday. Makes her far more pleasant to be around. You should know that."
Snow looks at the clock. "It's nearly ten."
"Don't worry. I left her a note to text me when she gets up. Alright, it says, 'Take screws 'E' with washers 'D' through bar 'C' – " Emma attaches all the components. " – using wrench 'F,' which is – " She looks around their cluttered mess. " – not provided." Emma reads, angered.
"Why don't you just call Marco? He's really good at this sort of thing."
"No!" "We're fine." Emma and David refuse.
Snow sighs heavily at their stubbornness. "Should we even be doing this? Ever since the showdown between Regina and the Wicked Witch, we haven't seen Zelena or Gold at all. Shouldn't we be focusing on her next move?"
"We are." Emma says. "We just can't stop living."
"And this crib is a statement." David adds. "We're not gonna lose another baby."
"We already lost our other baby, David." Snow says, sadly. "We're missing out on another birthday because Avia still doesn't remember us."
Before either David or Emma could respond, Regina walks into the apartment. "I'm finished." She says, placing magical ingredients down on the table.
"So? Did it work?" David asks, standing up. "Were you able to put up a new protection spell?"
"One that can't be undone by blood magic." Regina says, proudly. "I also put one up around Granny's diner and the bed and breakfast, which means Zelena won't be able to put her hands on either one of your babies."
Snow sighs, relieved. "Any idea why she would want to?"
"Well, why she would want Avia – for obvious reasons. Your daughter is very powerful which we already know. But the number of spells involving baby parts would surprise you." Regina explains. "That greenie is clearly one twisted witch. But as long as we're in here, and Avia is inside her room at the inn, we're safe."
Snow and David turn to Emma. "Okay. Okay." Emma grabs her phone, seeing the worried looks her parents are giving her. "I'll text Avia and tell her to meet me here."
"I don't care if she doesn't remember us; knowing that Avia is here with her family where she belongs, where we know she is safe, is all that matters right now." David states, firmly.
"Yeah. I got it." Emma places her phone back in her pocket. "But I also think we need to stop playing defense and start taking the fight to Zelena." She says sternly.
"Did you not see how I barely outwitted her yesterday?" Regina asks the stubborn Savior. "She has magic – powerful magic."
"I have magic, too. You've seen me use it. I just can't always control it. But if we teamed up, if you taught me – "
"Now, why does this feel so familiar?" Regina asks sarcastically.
"I'm ready this time."
Regina chuckles. "Okay. But if we do this, we do this my way. This isn't drinking stale coffee at a stakeout or whatever you did as a bail bondsperson." She places her hand on top of her chest that contains her magical ingredients. "This is a way of life. You have to fully commit to it."
"Not a problem." Emma assures her, earning worried glances from her parents.
"Meet me at my vault in one hour." Regina walks out of the apartment.
Emma exhales, looking at her parents, knowing exactly what they're thinking. "And no complaining. I'm doing this. It's the only way." Snow raises her hands in defense. "And yes, I will be careful." She says, standing up.
"We know." Snow tells her.
"Just take care of Avia."
"You know we will." David says.
Over at the bed and breakfast, Avia slowly opens her tired eyes, but her vision is blocked by a note taped to her forehead. She furrows her brows in confusion as she sits up and takes the note off, looking at it.
"Emma?" She calls out for her sister. Avia begins to read the note. 'Happy Birthday! I thought I would head over to Mary Margaret and David's while I let you sleep in. Give me a call when you wake up.' Avia rolls her eyes. She reaches over and grabs her cell phone from off the nightstand. She's about to dial Emma's number until she sees that she has a text instead from her sister. 'Hey, kid. Meet me at Mary Margaret and David's when you get up!' Avia lets out a long sigh as she tosses the note and her phone on the other side of the bed. "Happy Birthday to me." She mumbles.
Out on the docks, Hook is looking out at the open sea when Mr. Smee approaches.
"Captain Hook."
"It's about time, Mr. Smee." Hook says, displeased. "You know how much I abhor waiting. What is it that's so urgent?"
"It's just, um, me and then men were talking about how we haven't seen much of you since we all ended up back here." Smee tells him.
Hook laughs. "Is there a point to that rather odd observation?"
"What's keeping us from crewing up again – hitting the high seas, getting back to pirating?"
Hook scowls. "You mean, other than being attacked and turned into flying monkeys? Have you forgotten? There's no safe passage out of this town. You've already been a rodent, Mr. Smee. Does life as a simian interest you, as well?"
"Of course there's safe passage." Smee argues. "We could outrun them."
"Not with that torso of yours."
"If we had a fast enough ship. The Jolly Roger, for instance. You still haven't told me whether you found her during the time none of us can remember."
"What happened during that time isn't important." Hook tells him.
"Because you remember." Smee reminds the pirate. "Is our ship okay? What happened to it?"
"My ship." Hook states firmly. "And all you need to know, Mr. Smee, is that the Jolly Roger isn't here. So, there will be no outrunning of anything."
"I mean, what if we found another ship?" Smee asks. "Any of these – " He looks out at the other ships docked.
"Mr. Smee, I've tried letting you down easy." Hook interrupts, peeved. "Now let me be more direct. I have no intentions of leaving this town."
"Captain, I agree with you this place has its bright spots. But the Wicked Witch is here. And with that sort of danger, what possible reason do you have to stay?"
Hook looks behind him and sees that Emma is walking towards them. "My reasons are my own. Question them again at your peril." Hook threatens.
Smee looks down, understanding. "Sir." He walks away as Emma approaches.
"Did he used to be a rat?" Emma asks, puzzled.
"Aye." Hook confirms. "In many ways, he still is." He turns around, smiling at Emma. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Swan?"
"I was just wondering if you could just keep an eye out for Avia. She'll be with our parents today, and Regina put a protection spell around the apartment, but I just would like extra eyes on them whenever you can."
Hook smirks. "If you want to get close to me, you just need to ask." He teases.
Emma rolls her eyes. "Why am I not surprised you're making this about you? With our mother pregnant, they're going to need all the help they can get. David can only do so much. I need eyes on the outside cause Regina needs to train me in magic." She explains. "We think together, we might be able to defeat the Wicked Witch."
"That's the first reasonable plan I've heard since this all began. Magic is a part of you, Swan. Don't forget – I was there when Cora tried to steal your heart." Emma sighs, uncomfortably. "I saw the power inside of you. It's about time you embraced it. It's what makes you the Savior."
"I'm not embracing anything. I need to learn magic to defeat Zelena and make sure everyone here is safe. After that, I'm done."
Hook narrows his eyes, curiously. "Done with what, exactly?"
"Avia doesn't belong here – not anymore. She belongs in the real world, in New York, and the life that she remembers. It was good. And it didn't involve vile villains."
"And it didn't involve your parents either, Swan." Hook argues. "Are you even thinking about what you are going to be putting them through? You can't just pretend like this never happened. Trust me. I spent the last year trying to do just that – return to the person I used to be – and it didn't work."
"Why?" Emma asks. "What happened over the last year that you're not telling me?"
"It matters not. Just take it from me just this once. No matter how much you wish you could go back to your old life… you can't."
Snow and David open the front door to greet their daughter. "Happy Birthday, Avia!" They both shout happily.
Avia tries her best to stop from laughing. "Um. Thanks." She says, awkwardly. "How'd you know?"
"Well, Emma told us." Snow shrugs, though, in all actuality it was hard to forget any of your kids' birthdays whenever you're the one pushing them out. "Come in. Come in."
Avia walks inside the apartment and looks around for her big sister. "Well, Emma told me to meet her here. Where is she?" Avia wonders.
Snow and David glance at one another. "Oh. Well, - " David stammers. "Um. Avia, Emma had something come up, so she'd thought it would better if you hung around us until she's finished."
Avia sighs, heavily, rolling her eyes. "Of course she's working. And she's pawning me off on someone else again… on my birthday."
"She's not pawning you off on anyone, Avia. We want you here."
"And we promise no baby or cradle cap talk." Snow assures her quickly. "This is your day. We'll do whatever you want to do."
Avia gives them a kind smile. "You know, it's fine. I've sort of gotten used to this. I'm not even sure why I thought today would be any different." Avia grabs her phone and her earphones from her back pocket. "I'll just sit over here." She walks over to the chair in the corner. "Don't let me being here mess up whatever you guys have planned." She sees the mess of the crib that is still not put together on the floor. "It looks like you have a lot to do anyway."
And with that, Snow and David watch their daughter sit down and place her earphones in her ears, immediately draining the sound of the outside world around her. They look at each other, saddened. "We can't just not do anything, David." Snow says quietly.
David sighs as he walks Snow into the kitchen. "I can't say that I blame her for how she feels right now. Without her memories, Avia doesn't know anyone. She's celebrating her birthday with complete strangers and her sister is no where around. This isn't the life she is used to, regardless if they're just fake memories."
"So, what?" Snow frowns. "Are we just going to have her sit in a corner for the entire day?" She exclaims disapprovingly.
David shakes his head as he glances up at his daughter. "No. We'll figure out something."
Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…
Ariel is still on top of Hook, holding a knife to his throat. "Fear of adding insult to injury, would you mind catching me up on your particular grievance?" Hook asks, curiously as to why he is being threatened.
"You kidnapped Prince Eric, - " Ariel accuses. " – and you're gonna return him to me." Ariel stands up, pointing the knife at Hook. "Now on your feet!" She orders.
"Kidnapping a prince does sound like something I would do, - " Hook says, standing up. " – but I'm afraid you've got the wrong pirate." Hook grabs the knife from Ariel's hand and positions himself behind her, holding the weapon to her throat. "Or should I say the wrong pirate has you?"
"Go ahead – kill me. But I still know you're lying. One of Eric's men escaped, so I know the ship that took him was yours – the Jolly Roger."
Hook looks surprised by this. "The Jolly Roger?" He repeats, longingly. "Are you certain?" He turns Ariel around, facing him. "Answer me!" He demands, angrily.
Ariel looks into Hook's eyes, coming to the realization. "You really didn't take him."
"What else do you know about who's captaining my ship? Did that man tell you anything else!?"
"Only that he was able to escape with a weapon that he stole from the armory – the dagger that's against my throat." Ariel explains.
Hook steps away, allowing Ariel to breathe, as he inspects the dagger in his hand. He notices the initials 'B.B.' engraved on the handle. Hook then begins to laugh, knowing exactly who the dagger belongs to.
Ariel watches with worry for her prince as the pirate runs off.
Inside the tavern, Hook bursts inside where his pirates are drunk and half-asleep.
"Rise and shine, you bilge rats!" He exclaims. "No offense, Mr. Smee."
"None taken." Smee assures him as he slowly awakens. "What is it?"
"I know who has the Jolly Roger, and we're gonna take her back." Hook says, determined.
Smee grins, clearly intrigued. "Whose funeral shall we be attending, Sir?"
Hook slams the dagger into the table. "Black Beard."
Smee's eyes widen in fear. "Black Beard?" Hook nods. "But he's the most cutthroat pirate ever to hoist a sail. After you, of course."
"Which will make it all the more satisfying when I take my ship back and make him walk her lovely plank."
"Let's not be hasty." Smee begs. "We've been having fun robbing carriages. Getting rich from it, too. Maybe we should forget about the Jolly Roger. You said it yourself. We don't need a ship to be – "
"She's not just a ship." Hook argues.
"I'm fairly certain she is."
"She's more than that. I haven't been myself since we've returned." Hook admits. "I should have realized the reason why. It's because I don't have her."
"'Her'?" Smee questions. "You talk about the vessel as though she's a woman."
"Women come and go, Mr. Smee, but a pirate's life – it's forever."
"Still, Captain, I doubt we could even find Black Beard – "
"Don't be a coward!" Hook orders furiously. "I know where he moors his vessels. It's less than a day's trek. And then I'll have my ship again."
Ariel suddenly steps up, overhearing the two. "And I will have my prince."
"Few people have held a dagger to my throat and lived to tell the tale." Hook informs the mermaid. "I'd leave before I change my mind."
"No." Ariel glares. "I've crossed paths with enough pirates to know your code. Any valuable information a pirate captain ascertains shall be compensated in equal favor."
"I think she's right." Smee chimes in, earning an angry glare from Hook.
"So, when do we leave?"
Storybrooke / Present…
At the loft, David is sitting on the floor, attempting to put together the crib again. He had picked up the wrench that was needed from the hardware store, but it seemed to still be a battle to put the baby bed together.
Avia glances up from her phone when she hears the man groan in frustration through her music. She pulls her earphones out her ears and sets her phone aside before she stands up and sits down on the floor next to David. "You're doing it all wrong."
David arches his brow up at his daughter. "Am I now?"
Snow looks up from inside the kitchen when she hears her husband and daughter. Avia hadn't said a word to either one of them since she walked in the door. "Well, yeah." Avia shrugs. "If you were doing it right, it would be together by now." She teases.
Snow laughs to herself, shaking her head. Same old Avia. David laughs. "Well, do you think you can do a better job?" He asks.
"Well, you need to organize everything first." David watches as Avia piles all the similar pieces together in their own separate group. "It makes it easier to sift through what you need. And, as for this, - " Avia grabs the instructions from David and tosses it away. David scoffs as he looks up at his wife in amusement. Snow just simply smiles. It was starting to feel like old times, and she wasn't going to dare interrupt the two. "—you don't need it. We can figure it out ourselves."
"Really now?" David asks, uncertain. "You mean, you're going to help me put together this crib without any instructions to follow?"
Avia shrugs. "Yeah." She starts to grab a piece of the crib. "When Emma and I moved to New York, we had to put together everything in our apartment. We followed the instructions for maybe three or four of the different furniture we had, but eventually, it started to become repetitive for us and we were putting tables together in record time without following any sort of instructions. I think you and I together can do this. If you don't mind the help."
David smiles, amazed. "I would love the help."
Avia smiles. "Great. Let's get started."
Snow leans across the counter with a soft smile on her face as she watches her husband and daughter put together her next baby's crib, only wishing Emma was there with them – not to mention Avia's memories.
"Okay. Now, just put this screw through this bar – " David watches in awe of his daughter. They've been at it for a half hour now and David couldn't stop himself from staring at his daughter every so often while she concentrated solely on the subject in front of her, oblivious to his stares. " – and then – " She locks the last part of the crib in place. "There ya go." She smiles at David.
David shakes his head. "Did you really put a crib together?"
Avia shrugs, chuckling. "Well, you helped."
She and David fall back onto the couch. "Barely." David laughs. Avia looks back at the crib. "I bet you didn't think you'd be putting together a crib on your birthday."
"Well, I didn't exactly expect to still be in Storybrooke either.
"I'm sorry about that, Avia."
Avia shrugs. "It's fine. Emma's job comes first. It's more important."
David looks longingly at his daughter, wishing he could bring her into his arms. "You're just as important, Avia. Maybe even more."
Avia tuns to David, taken aback, unsure of what to say. "Um." She stammers. "So, do you know if you're having a boy or girl?" David sighs as he thinks about the new baby, looking towards the finished crib. "Or is it a surprise?"
"A surprise." David smiles softly.
"Well, if it's a girl, just remember the name Avia. It's a pretty great name for a little girl."
David chuckles. "It is a pretty great name." He agrees. "Definitely one of a kind."
Snow comes downstairs and is surprised to see the crib finished and not just a pile of wood on the floor. "You finished."
David stands, walking over to his wife. "Thanks to Avia." He says, smiling at the girl. "She basically put it together by herself."
"Really?" Snow smiles.
Avia shrugs. "David helped." She smirks. "But now your baby will be able to sleep in an actual crib and instead of a pile of wood." She teases.
"Well, I was thinking we get out here. Let's go take a walk. The birthday girl, after all, deserves a day out."
"Cool." Avia jumps up, grabbing her cell phone as she heads for the front door.
Snow grimaces. "Actually, Avia, it's really cold outside. I think you need a bigger jacket. I'll go – "
"It's okay." Avia interrupts. "I'll get it." She offers.
"Okay. There's one upstairs in the closet."
"Okay." Avia runs upstairs as David and Snow watch her.
"It almost feels like normal watching her run up those stairs again." David says sadly.
Snow grabs her husband's hand, squeezing it gently, knowing exactly how he is feeling. "I know. But at least we're able to spend this day with her."
"Right." David nods. A knock on the door grabs their attention. David turns around and opens the door to find Nick and Karley.
"Hey." Nick whispers, looking behind David and Snow. "Is she here?"
Snow smiles as she nods. "Yes." She answers quietly. "She's upstairs."
"Well, we just wanted to let you know that everything is set. It should all be ready by tonight."
David pats Nick on his shoulder. "Thank you, Nick. I know she doesn't remember us, but she'll always remember this day."
Nick nods, knowing that's true. He'd make everyday feel like today if he could, if it made Avia happy. "Are you guys going somewhere?" Karley asks.
"Uh, yeah." Snow says. "We're going to take a walk. I was thinking the beach. How about you both come with us?"
Nick and Karley look at one another. "Sure." They both agree.
"Avia is taking a long time." David frowns. "Maybe I should – "
"No. Let us." Nick interrupts, stepping inside the apartment.
"Sure. Go right ahead."
"Thanks. Come on." Nick says to Karley before they both run up the stairs.
David turns towards Snow, who is looking sadly towards the stairs. He wraps an arm around her, bringing her close, as he places his other hand on top of her pregnant baby. "We are going to defeat Zelena and we are going to get our daughter back."
Snow smiles, looking up at her husband's blue eyes. "I know we will."
Upstairs, with the coat she found in the closet in her hand, Avia is sitting on the bed in somewhat of a daze when Nick and Karley walk in.
They glance at each other, sensing something was wrong. "Avia?" Nick calls out.
"Is she okay?" Karley wonders as they walk closer to her.
Nick touches Avia's shoulder, causing her to flinch. "Sorry. Sorry." Nick says, raising his hands.
Avia furrows her brows up at the siblings. "Wha – What are you doing here? I didn't even hear you guys come in."
"We had to drop something off from our mom, and Mary Margaret asked if we wanted to take a walk with you guys." Karley tells her.
"Are you okay?" Nick asks, concerned. "You look a little pale."
Avia quickly stands back on her feet. "Um. Yeah. I'm fine." She says, though, still looking confused. "It's just – "
Nick and Karley watch as Avia looks around the room. "What?" Karley asks slowly.
"Um. Nothing." Avia squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head. "It's nothing. I just felt – "
"Felt what?" Nick asks, hoping something triggered Avia's memory.
"Nothing. Nothing. I just felt something familiar for a second, but it's over now. I didn't know there was a room up here."
"Oh, yeah. Mary Margaret actually had a roommate a long time ago." Karley tells her, speaking about her friend that's standing right in front of her and Emma. "But they moved away. I guess she never felt the need to clean it out."
"Hm."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Nick asks.
Avia shrugs, forcing a smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. Promise. It really was nothing. Come on. Mary Margaret and David are waiting."
"Oh. Hey." Nick grabs Avia's hand, pulling her back, before she walks out. Avia raises her brows, looking at the boy. "I almost forgot. Happy Birthday." He smiles.
Avia smiles graciously at the two siblings. "Yeah. Happy Birthday, Avia. We know you wish you were in New York for your birthday, but we're glad you're here." Karley tells her.
"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it." Avia then turns around and heads downstairs.
"You think she remembered something?" Karley whispers to her brother.
Nick shrugs, unsure. "I don't know. She may not have remembered something, but she definitely felt something. Come on. Let's go."
David and Snow are strolling along the beach a little ways behind Avia, Karley, and Nick who are walking in front of them.
"Can you believe she is fifteen?" Snow asks, smiling as she watches her daughter with her friends.
David grins. "It feels like yesterday I was running through the palace with her and Emma in my arms." He says, sadly. What should have been one the happiest days in their lives, next to their wedding day and Emma's birth, ended in having to send his daughters away, turning out to be one of the happiest and worst days of his life. "You know, she didn't cry once while I was fighting Regina's knights. She slept the entire time, undisturbed."
"Emma screaming for me as you took her from arms is still embedded in my memories." Snow says, shivering slightly as she also remembers that day.
David sighs. "Yeah. Mine, too."
"Then, Avia came back into my life the day after her thirteenth birthday." Snow smiles. "And a couple days later, Emma followed. And even though I had no idea who they truly were, they immediately had a place in my heart. And I knew from the moment I saw them, I wanted them to be apart of my life forever."
David chuckles. "You know, I felt the same way that night I met them at my welcome home party. I could have sat under those stairs, talking to them forever. It felt so right. I just wish they would have come into our lives sooner."
"But we have them now." Snow places a hand over her stomach. "And another on the way. Memories or not, we have our family back, David."
David nods, knowing that's true. But he wouldn't deny wishing things were different. They missed thirteen years of their daughters' lives that they'll never get back. If he could start over, he would, and he'd make sure to never let his girls go.
"So, what would you be doing right now if you were in New York?" Karley asks Avia.
Avia thinks for a moment. "I'm not sure. Every year was different and yet just the same. I would have Emma with me that's for sure."
"I'm sure she wishes she was with you right now, too." Nick tells her.
Avia shrugs. "I don't know. I think if she did, she would be here. I don't ever remember a birthday without her."
"Well, the day's not over with yet." Nick smiles. "It's just beginning."
"Hey." Karley looks ahead, puzzled. "What's going on over there?"
The three of them stop walking and look ahead at the group of people hovering over something. Snow and David walk up. "Something wrong?" Snow asks the kids.
"Not sure." Nick scowls.
Snow and David follow their gazes to the crowd ahead. "Uh. How about you kids go to the arcade while we see what's going on?" David suggests. He then pulls out some money from his wallet. "On me." He says, handing it to Avia.
"Sweet." Avia smiles down at the money. "Thanks, David. Come on."
"We'll meet you there as soon as we're done here." Snow calls out to them.
"Okay!" Avia waves as she, Nick, and Karley run the opposite way.
"She washed up on shore." Snow and David hear Granny say as they walk up to the crowd.
"Who did?" Snow asks. "Who's here?" They squeeze their way through and find Granny hovering over Ariel who is in her mermaid attire, but with a warm coat wrapped around her. "Ariel?" Snow utters her old friend's name. Ariel smiles back, awkwardly. "Where have you been?" The crowd begins to dissipate, letting Snow and David handle the situation. Ariel gratefully takes the cup of coffee from Granny. "We thought you'd been turned into a monkey."
"A monkey?" Ariel questions, amused. "No. I'm a girl that turns into a fish."
David chuckles. "Yeah, we know. But what happened to you?"
Ariel shrugs, unsure herself. "I've been under the sea – searching." She explains. "I've traveled to every known realm looking for Prince Eric."
"So, he's missing? For how long?"
"After Pan failed, I woke up here, like everybody else. I couldn't find him. And I didn't understand what happened until I overheard everybody saying that we had all gone to the Enchanted Forest and been there for a year without knowing it."
"So, you still don't know what happened to him?" David inquires.
"That's why I came back here." Ariel tells him. "I thought maybe I'd overlooked something, that he'd be here, but – obviously, you haven't seen him."
"We're sorry." Snow apologizes. "We've been trying to piece together what happened. All we know is that we're up against Regina's sister, the Wicked Witch."
"Do you think that she might be responsible for Prince Eric's disappearance?"
Snow shakes her head, uncertain. "Without our memories, it's impossible to know everything."
Ariel nods her head, understanding. "Maybe for us, but what about Hook?" David suggests.
"The pirate?" Ariel asks.
"Yes." Snow exclaims. "He wasn't part of the witch's curse." She remembers. "He has his memories. Maybe he can – I don't know – shed some light on what happened to Prince Eric."
"Well, do you think he'd help me?"
"He helped us save Avia. I don't know why not."
Over at Granny's Diner, David and Snow walk in, accompanied by Ariel, as they walk over to the pirate, who is sitting at the counter.
"Uh, Hook, this is a friend of ours – Ariel." David introduces the two, but Hook recognizes her instantly. "She's looking for someone who didn't return to Storybrooke with the rest of us."
"He's from a maritime kingdom, and he loved to sail." Ariel adds. Hook's a bit surprised to see that Ariel doesn't recognize him. "Perhaps you came across him on the high seas? His name's Prince Eric."
"Sorry, lass. I wish I could help, but I've never heard of him." Hook lies.
Ariel sighs, appearing saddened by this. "Come on. Think hard, Hook." David urges. "Are you sure you can't remember anything that can be useful?"
"My apologies, Mate, but if I'd run across a prince during my adventure, I think I'd remember it."
Looking defeated, Ariel sighs heavily. "I just – I don't understand. How could he vanish without a trace?"
"That's it." Snow ponders. "Maybe he didn't."
David looks at his wife in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"When the curse brought us back here, it brought our things, too. Gold's shop is filled with them."
"And if we find something of Eric's, we can use a locator spell to track him." David continues.
"Let's go." Ariel tells them.
"Sounds like a plan." Hook smiles. "Best of luck with that."
"Oh, wait, no." Snow quickly says, stopping Hook from walking further away. "You should go with her. You might remember something that we won't – or can't. You'd be far more useful than us, and we have to get back to Avia."
"Could we have a talk for a moment?" Hook asks David.
David follows Hook away from the girls. "What is it?"
"You sure this is such a good idea, mate? Let's be honest – there's only one obvious explanation why the little mermaid here can't find her prince. He's dead." David exhales, knowing that may be true. "There's no reason to ply her with false hope."
But there was no reason not to try. "In my experience, there's no such thing." David tells him. "You just have to believe. Now go. It's my daughter's birthday and, honestly, I much rather spend time with her right now. Hopefully we'll see you tonight. Good luck."
David pats Hook on his back, gently pushing the reluctant pirate towards the mermaid.
Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…
Hook, followed by Ariel, followed by Mr. Smee, are now trekking through the forest.
"Trudge, trudge, trudge." Ariel comments in a peeved tone. "If you ask me, there's nothing more boring than land travel. I'll take my tail in the ocean any day."
"That's one thing we can agree on – minus the tail, of course." Hook says, annoyed. "You won't be bored for much longer. Our destination is just past this rise." He points ahead.
"Then it won't be long until I'm reunited – " Ariel's excitement fades when she gets her cloak caught in a bush.
"Here." Hook walks over to help her. "Allow me." He uses his hook to tear the cloak away from the bush.
Ariel frowns, looking down at her cloak. "You've ripped it!" She exclaims furiously at the pirate.
"It's a cloak."
"It's Eric's cloak. And he's had it since before we met." She argues. "He left it with me while he was away to keep him close, and now you have ruined it!"
"If mending a cloak is our biggest obstacle, we're in fine shape." Hook says, narrowing his eyes at the mermaid. "You realize you might not find him – or survive?"
"I will." Ariel insists as she follows Hook towards their destination.
Hook turns, scowling at the mermaid. "Didn't you see the fear Black Beard's name struck into my crew?" He asks. "You don't become a pirate captain through mercy. If I were you I would prepare myself for the worst."
"Why?" Ariel asks as they continue to move forward. "What are you saying – that you would kill Eric if you had him?"
"You don't believe that?"
"Well, honestly, I was a little surprised to hear that you might be responsible for Eric's kidnapping – after the stories that I've heard."
"What stories?" Hook asks, turning back to Ariel, intrigued.
"Well, the ones of you helping reunite Snow White and her family in Neverland. Some people say that you're a hero."
Hook pulls Ariel by her cloak, out of earshot from Mr. Smee. "Don't believe every story you hear." He tells her. He nods to Mr. Smee to keep walking.
"Being good is nothing to be ashamed of." Ariel tells him. "People change. Look at me. I have legs, and I fell in love with a human. I don't think anyone saw that coming."
"You may have changed. I haven't. I'm a pirate, and I always will be." Hook angrily assures her, before he treks onward, following Mr. Smee.
Storybrooke / Present…
Inside of Gold's pawnshop, Hook and Ariel walk inside. "Belle?" Ariel immediately calls out to her friend.
Belle looks up from behind the counter and gasps, smiling at her friend who she hadn't seen since the curse took them back to the Enchanted Forest. "Ariel? Where have you been? I was worried I'd never see you again." She walks over to her friend, giving her a hug.
"I've been looking for Eric." Ariel tells her. "He's been missing since we all returned."
"We were hoping we could find something of his here." Hook says.
"Oh, of course – to see if he's in Storybrooke." Belle realizes.
"Have you seen anything of his?" Ariel asks.
"I only just started sorting through things, but – " Ariel glances at Hook. " – don't despair." Belle encourages. "Let's start looking."
They each turn their separate ways and begin searching the shop. Hook walks into the back where he finds his old telescope propped up on a cabinet. "I've been wondering where you went." He grabs the scope and extends it out, holding it up to his eye. But as he looks around through it, he spots Prince Eric's cloak amongst the items. Hook walks over to it and begins to inspect it.
"That's Eric's." Ariel exclaims as she and Belle walk up from behind him. "How did you know that was his?"
"I, uh, I wasn't sure." Hook says as he continues to inspect the Ursula emblem on the clasp. "I saw the sea-creature clasp and remembered he was from a maritime kingdom."
"He is." Ariel confirms happily. "He was. And now he's here." Belle chuckles, delighted for her friend. Ariel walks up and hugs a guilty looking Hook.
Avia is sitting outside the arcade, smiling down at her phone as she watches a video. Nick walks up, sitting down next to her.
"Whatcha watching?" He asks.
Avia laughs, lightly. "Um. My friends, from back home, they sent me a video." She presses play on her phone and shows Nick. "'Happy Birthday, Avia! We miss you!'" In the background, there are streamers and balloons. "'This was supposed to be your party, but I guess we have to celebrate without you! Wish you were here!"' The video stops, and Nick looks at Avia who has tears in her eyes. Even though her memories are fake, Nick didn't realize how truly real they are to Avia. "When Emma moved us to New York, I was terrified. The only kids I had ever known were the ones I've met in foster homes and group homes. And even then I stayed to myself. I was afraid to get to know anyone because I feared I'd never see them again. And I was usually right. But when I started my school back in New York, these girls were the first ones to walk up to me and introduce themselves. We were only ten, but they made it feel like we had been knowing each other forever. And as much as I tried pulling away because I was afraid, they'd never let me. They were always dragging me back in, no matter how hard I fought." Nick just sat there silently, surprised that Avia was even opening up to him like this. And, honestly, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous, too. How she was speaking about these girls was exactly how it was when they first met. Nick was the one who walked up to her and introduced himself. Nick was the one who refused to let her run away. Nick was the one who was always encouraging her to have hope. He jumped into a freakin' portal for her. And, now, having to listen to her give credit to a group of girls that are just a fake memory was a bit torturing. "They knew all about my past and never judged me for it. I never thought I would have ever let anyone else inside my life except for Emma but, now, – " Avia laughs sadly as she looks at the paused video of her friends. " – I've let three more inside my world, and I just wish I could be with them right now."
Nick sighs, looking forward. "Avia, I know Karley and I aren't your friends from back home, but – "
Avia, realizing she may have hurt the boy's feelings, cringes as she looks at Nick. "Oh, no. Nick, that's not – "
"It's fine." Nick interrupts. "Really. I understand. Your sister brought you to a town where you don't know anyone, and you're basically celebrating your birthday with strangers. But neither one of us are sure how long you're actually going to be here for, but how about we just make the most of it?" He asks, looking back at Avia. "We can't be your friends from New York, but we can be your friends from a strange and weird town called Storybrooke. What do you say?"
Avia slowly smiles. "Okay." She nods. "I'd like that."
Karley walks out of the arcade and sits down on the other side of Avia, sighing heavily. "I really hope David wasn't expecting his money back because – " Karley turns back to the arcade with an angry look on her face. " – that stupid machine ripped me off!" She yells, earning laughs from both Avia and Nick. Karley frowns at them both. "Hey. It's not funny!" Avia and Nick just laugh even more at her causing Karley to roll her eyes as a smile creeps onto her own face.
Inside the Mill's mausoleum, Regina is walking down the steps, followed by Emma as they walk into Regina's vault.
"Don't touch anything." Regina tells her.
"How am I supposed to learn magic if I can't touch anything?" Emma asks.
"The same way I did with Rumple. We're going to create a solid foundation first and then build your skills from the ground up." She turns around and sees Emma has picked up some sort of petrified claw. She walks over and angrily grabs it from the Savior. "I said 'don't touch.'" Emma sighs, rolling her eyes. Regina turns back around and opens up a chest, picking up her spell book she had hidden away. "Let's start with roots for incantations." She opens the book, handing it to Emma.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Emma looks down at the book in confusion. "What language is this – Spanish?"
"We're not making tapas. We're making magic. It's elvish. Well, half elvish."
"I'm never gonna get this. Is this how Rumple taught you? Just think about your training. What other methods did he use?" Emma asks, impatiently. She wanted to learn, but she wanted to learn quick.
"Rumple was a bully." Regina informs Emma. "He didn't suffer fools, and he certainly didn't coddle his students. And if he tried to teach you how to swim and you couldn't learn, you drowned." She takes the book back from Emma and tosses it back into the chest, closing it.
"Drowned?"
Regina then turns to Emma with a smile. "That's it."
Emma looks confused. "That's what?" Regina lifts her arms and teleports the two of them out of the vault in a flurry of purple smoke, reappearing on the outskirts of Storybrooke. Emma gasps when she reappears, standing in the center of a rope bridge. She looks around with fear, seeing Regina standing safely on the end of it. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Teaching you to swim." Regina says simply.
With her hands holding the ropes on either side of her tightly, Emma looks down seeing just how deep the gorge below the bridge truly is. "Are you out of your mind!?"
"Every time you've exhibited your power, it's been spurred by your instincts. So today, we're going to push those instincts until you master them." Regina smiles.
Emma cringes. "A little reading doesn't sound so bad now."
"You can stop me."
"Stop you from what?" Emma wonders, fearfully.
"This." Regina stretches her hand out and begins to magically pull planks of wood off of the rope bridge, allowing them to fall into the stream down below.
Emma gasps, as she stands alone on only two planks of the bridge. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Making the bridge collapse." Regina says, simply. "You can either stop it… or die."
The planks below her feet suddenly fall through, leaving Emma dangling by her arms as she grips the ropes of the remaining bridge. "Regina!" Emma yells as her feet dangle below her. "Enough! Stop this!"
"No, you stop it!" Regina demands. "No more hand-holding. You have to do this. Reach into your gut. You know you can do this." Emma's eyes widen as she watches the rope she is hanging onto slowly fray away. "It's inside you, Emma. Save the bridge. Save yourself."
The rope soon breaks, and Emma begins to fall down into the gorge. The Queen looks frightened for a moment, thinking Emma might be dead, but her face then falls with satisfaction as she watches Emma levitate herself atop a combination of broken bridge planks and rope. Emma looks amazed with herself as she hovers over to Regina. "Did I – Did I just do that?"
"Yes." Regina confirms, a bit peeved. "When all I wanted was for you to retie the rope."
Emma steps off the planks and back onto solid ground next to Regina, looking back at what she just accomplished. "It was like you said – instinct." Emma frowns, dismayed. "Why are you pissed? I did it. Why does it matter how?"
Regina scowls at the Savior. "You think I'm mad because you didn't listen to me? I'm mad because look at all this potential inside of you, and you've been wasting it."
Emma continues to look at what she's done.
Back at Gold's shop, Belle pours a potion over Prince Eric's cloak while Hook and Ariel stand near, watching.
"This is a locator spell, so whatever object it's poured on becomes enchanted and returns itself to its rightful owner." She explains.
"Thank you, Belle." Ariel says, graciously. "I know that you've been busy trying to find a way to break your Mr. Gold out of the witch's control. You didn't have to do this."
"No, I did. You know." Belle smiles. "Perhaps a little good news around here will be contagious."
Ariel smiles, nodding, and the three of them watch as the cloak magically rises into the air, flying towards the front door of the shop. "Let's go!" She exclaims, hurrying after it.
Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…
Hook, Ariel, and Mr. Smee are watching from behind barrels at Black Beard's crew who is seen getting the Jolly Roger ready to set sail.
"Up close, she's even more beautiful than I remember." Hook comments. "Don't worry, my dear, you'll soon be back in my loving arms."
"You do realize you're talking to a boat?" Ariel asks, looking at Hook as if he's gone crazy.
"You have your love. I have mine." He argues.
"So, how are we gonna get on board, Captain?" Smee asks. "Black Beard's crew outnumbers us."
Hook looks at Smee, giving him a wink, before standing up. "I'll show you." They watch as Hook walks aboard the ship and whistles behind one of the pirates. The pirate turns around, receiving a quick punch in the face, falling to the floor. Ariel and Smee quickly run out of their hiding spot as Hook draws his sword. "Stand at attention, Mates!" He shouts to the rest of the crew. "Now boarding the ship – the rightful captain of the Jolly Roger. Now, if the coward who tried stealing her from me would kindly show his face, I'll give him the punishment he deserves."
A man then emerges from beneath the deck. "Gladly." Black Beard draws out his own sword. "But it's not me who'll be punished." He assures Hook as he begins to move around the deck. Hook walks up, amused. "You want your ship back? Then take it." They clash their swords together while Ariel sneaks aboard and makes her way up to the helm, where most of the crew have already congregated, searching for her true love. The pirates' swords continue to clash, now more frequently and aggressively. Black Beard's crew cheers him on as he manages to knock Hook down on the ship's floor. Hook jumps back onto his feet and the battle continues. He tries to slash Black Beard's neck, but he fails, and instead receives an elbow to his face. Black Beard tries to do the same to Hook, but Hook dodges the sword. So, instead, Black Beard forces Hook against a pillar of the ship, pushing his sword towards Hook. But Hook pushes back with his own sword. "I was afraid you weren't gonna show up. Word on the waterways is Captain Hook had gone soft."
"The only thing soft will be your guts spilling on this deck." Hook grabs onto one of the sail's ropes and uses it to swing to the other side of the shop, bringing the sail down in the process, blocking the crew's view. "I'll never give up the Jolly Roger without a fight." The pirates meet back in the middle of the ship and begin clashing their swords once again. Eventually, they come to a point where their blades are being pressed against one another's strength. "You think you know the ship?" Hook asks.
"Oh, every inch of it – I assure you." Black Beard states confidently.
"If that was the case –" Hook pushes Black Beard back. " – you'd know not to step there!" And with one whack of his sword, the floorboard Black Beard is standing on caves in, jamming Black Beard's foot in the gap, making him unable to move. Hook chuckles, pointing his sword at the pirate. "Oh, I've been meaning to fix that."
"Finish it!" Black Beard orders furiously.
"Fancy a shave, do we?" Hook goes to slash Black Beard's throat.
"Wait!" Ariel shouts, emerging from beneath, stopping Hook. "Eric's not on board. You have to get him to tell you where he is."
Hook slowly pushes his sword back onto Black Beard's neck. "You heard the lady. Where is he?"
Black Beard smiles. "So, that's what this was – a rescue mission for some wench? Ha! They were right about you, Hook. You have gone soft."
"I can either make this painful or quite painful." Hook glares. "Now answer!"
"I have him stashed safe and sound on a deserted island." Black Beard reveals. "Only I know where. I was planning to ransom him when the time was right."
"Whatever it is, I'll pay it." Ariel tells him.
"Money's not what I'm after anymore."
"Then what is it that you want?"
"The satisfaction of proving Captain Hook is no longer a pirate."
"How are you gonna prove that?" Hook asks, amused.
"By giving you a choice." Black Beard pushes Hook's sword away before he continues. "Surrender the Jolly Roger to me, and I'll tell you where I'm holding her prince. Or refuse, and he dies along with me."
A frightened Ariel looks towards Hook as he contemplates the offer.
Storybrooke / Present…
Ariel and Hook are following Eric's cloak through town. "We must be getting close." Ariel says as they approach the docks. "Maybe he's on one of these boats." Hook remains silent as they continue to follow the cloak, which soon speeds up, before landing on the surface of the water. They look on, confused. "It must be searching." The cloak then plunges down into the water, disappearing. "If the spell worked and it's taken us to Eric, then he's gone!" Ariel exclaims as she turns to Hook, hugging the pirate as she begins to cry for her prince.
Snow and David are walking on Main Street towards their daughter and her friends who they spot sitting in front of the arcade.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Snow asks, worriedly.
David smirks. "She's gotta learn some time, Snow."
"It's dangerous – not to mention illegal!"
"It couldn't be safer." David assures his wife. "I'll be right there with her. And as far as legality, I'm the Sheriff." Snow rolls her eyes, still unconvinced. "Avia!" Avia, Nick, and Karley look up just in time as David tosses his truck keys to his daughter. Avia furrows her brows in confusion. "How would you like to learn to drive?"
Avia gasps. "Wait? What?" She, Nick, and Karley jump up and rush towards her parents. "Really?"
David laughs. "Well, you're fifteen and you'll be getting your learner's permit soon. So, you'll need to practice."
"You're serious?" Nick asks, flabbergasted.
"Come on." David urges. But Avia didn't need to be told twice. She runs towards David's truck and hops right into the driver's seat. David turns to his worried wife and places a kiss on her cheek. "She's going to be fine." He runs to his truck and hops into the passenger seat.
"Put your seatbelt on!" Snow shouts, hesitantly. "David, stay close to her!"
Nick and Karley step to either side of Snow ready to watch. Avia excitedly places her hands on the wheel and smiles at David. "Are you sure about this?" She asks him.
David laughs. "It's your birthday." He shrugs. "What better way to spend it? And there's no one on the road – "
"No one is ever on the road." Avia laughs.
"Very true. Now, let's get started." He starts the engine up for her.
Nick and Karley glance at Snow who is already cringing. "Are you okay?" Nick asks, amused.
"Not even a little." Snow admits, dreadfully.
Avia takes a deep breath before she slowly pushes down on the pedal, moving forward. But she quickly hits the brakes and gasps. "I did it."
David laughs at his daughter's excitement, thrilled to be the one teaching her as a father very well should be. "Well now, let's see how you do if you go ten miles per hour." He teases. Avia slowly pushes down the pedal again, moving the truck forward. "Okay. Steady, steady." David tells her as they move faster.
Karley looks at Snow, who has her eyes squeezed shut. "You might wanna watch." She laughs. "She's actually doing pretty good."
Snow shakes her head, her eyes still closed. "I'd rather watch once she has her license."
Avia comes to a stop, shocked. "You're a pro!" David praises proudly.
Avia looks out the window at her friends and Snow, who has her eyes slightly open. "Mary Margaret, did you see me!?"
Snow nods her head and forces a smile. "Uh-huh. Yes, sweetie, I – I saw you! You did great!"
"Liar." Nick laughs, earning a glare from Snow, which only makes him and Karley laugh harder.
"I can't wait to tell Emma!" Avia says, excitingly. "Can I do it again?" She asks David.
David laughs, patting the back of Avia's head. "You can do it for as long as you want."
Avia smiles giddily as she begins to drive forward again. "Oh, I can't watch." Snow exclaims, turning away.
Back at the docks, Ariel is looking out into the calm waters as Hook stands nearby.
"I saved Eric from the sea once before." She says, sadly. "I just never thought that I would lose him to it in the end."
"A sailor couldn't hope for a better resting place." Hook assures her.
Ariel turns around, looking gratefully at the pirate. "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
Ariel chuckles. "You found Eric's cloak. I would have never stopped looking for him. At least now I know that our story's over." Tears begin to develop once again inside of Ariel's distraught eyes. "I just wish I knew how it ended." Hook remains silent, clearly feeling guilty. "You're more than a pirate, Hook. You have a true heart. I'll always be grateful that you tried to help me." Hook then watches as the mermaid turns and walks away, remembering back to what happened in the Enchanted Forest.
Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…
"You can't do this!" Ariel yells at Hook, who is pointing his sword into Black Beard's back as he walks the plank of the Jolly Roger, obviously having made his decision. "We had an agreement. You promised me that you would help find Eric. Please." She begs, desperately. "I know that you are a good man, and I know that man is still in there somewhere. It's not too late to do the right thing. Isn't true love more important than a few planks of wood and a sail?"
"She might just be a few planks and a sail, but she's mine." Hook informs the mermaid, bitterly. "She's all I need. Love brings nothing but wasted years and endless torment. I'm doing you a favor." He then slashes Black Beard's arm with his sword. "A little something to whet the appetite of our razor-toothed friends below." He whispers to Black Beard who seems unphased. Hook pushes Black Beard over the ship and into the waters while Ariel yells out in protest. "Enjoy the feast, boys!" Hook shouts towards the waters where Black Beard is already being feasted upon by sharks. He turns to Black Beard's crew. "The Jolly Roger is mine! Any man willing to swear an oath to me shall be given quarter. Those who don't, you're welcome to follow your former captain. The entire crew simply cheer, swearing to their new captain's allegiance. Hook sheathes his sword as he turns to Mr. Smee, who is holding Ariel back. "You may release her, Mr. Smee."
Mr. Smee steps back, allowing the mermaid to move. Seething with fury, Ariel slaps Hook across the face. "I was wrong about you, Captain. You're selfish, and you're heartless. And that is what will bring you wasted years and endless torment. I feel sorry for you. You'll never be happy." Ariel begins to walk the plank herself.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hook asks.
"Eric's still out there, and whatever it takes, I will find him."
She removes the bracelet from her wrist that grants her legs and dives into the sea. Hook and his crew look overboard to see a green fishtail splashing in the water, and the little mermaid swims away to find her prince.
Storybrooke / Present…
A depressed Ariel is walking along the docks when Hook runs up. "Wait." He calls out to her. "Ariel!"
Ariel turns around, facing the pirate as he approaches her. "What is it?" She asks, curiously.
"I have a confession." Ariel looks confused. "I haven't been entirely truthful with you – with myself." Hook admits, pitifully. "You and I met before. Our paths crossed during the missing year."
"What?"
"Eric had been kidnapped by the pirate Black Beard." He explains. "You asked me to find him."
"I don't understand. Why didn't you say anything?" She wonders.
"Because I was too ashamed. I sacrificed saving your prince for my ship." He apologizes, beginning to choke up as he remembers what he's done. "I am so sorry, Ariel."
Ariel gives Hook a hard slap across his face, just as she had done in the Enchanted Forest. "You're a coward! And a monster! You let a man die for your ship!? What kind of person does that?"
"The kind who's empty, who believes that a ship can fill a void left by a broken heart."
"And that makes it okay!?" She exclaims.
"No, it doesn't. I would give anything to take it back, to make things right."
"Anything?"
"Yes – anything."
"How am I supposed to trust a man who no longer believes in love?" Ariel asks, disgusted.
"I still do." Hook admits.
"Then swear to me on it. This woman that broke your heart – do you still love her?"
"Yes."
"Then swear to me on her name."
"I swear on Emma Swan." He declares.
Ariel smiles wickedly. "Thank you, Captain. That's exactly what I needed to hear." She holds out her hand and Hook's lips glow green, before 'Ariel' disappears in green smoke and Zelena takes her place.
"What the hell?" Hook draws his sword. "It was you." He says, shocked. "Where's Ariel?"
Zelena throws Hook's sword into the water with her magic. "Relax. She was never really here. After she left you on your beloved ship, she actually found where Black Beard had been keeping her prince."
"She found him? How do you know that?"
"My spies are always circling, Captain, through every realm – always circling." She informs him. "She found him on Hangman's Island, which was outside the force of the curse. They've been living happily ever after ever since. Don't you just love a good twist?"
"I don't understand. Why would you pretend to be her?"
"To corrupt your love. As I said earlier, I've known about your dirty little secret for quite some time – seen the guilt on your face over the decision you made that day." Zelena chuckles. "I knew it haunted you. And I knew I could use it."
"Use it for what?"
"When you invoked the name of your love in a selfish plea for redemption, I was able to curse you – more specifically, your kiss. See, the next time your lips touch Emma Swan's, all of her magic will be taken. Everything that makes her special, that makes her powerful, that makes her a threat will be gone."
"I won't do it." Hook says, simply. "I'll tell her. And she'll defeat you."
"Then I'll send the Dark One to kill her before you can." She threatens.
"No, you won't." He says, realizing the witch is bluffing. "If you could have killed her, you would have. You need her power removed. It's why you didn't kill her when she came to the town. It's why you had a monkey look after her in New York instead of killing her. For some reason… you can't." He says, intrigued.
"It no longer matters, because you're going to remove her powers." Zelena states, knowingly. "I may not be able to hurt Emma, but I can hurt those around her – her parents, her friends – " Zelena smiles wickedly. " – her sister."
"Do not go near them." Hook orders her.
Zelena laughs. "Oh, yes. With that little one out of the way, it'll all be simpler. I will enjoy turning her into monkey's breakfast."
"I'll stop you."
"No, you won't." She glares. "That pointy, little hook of yours can scratch a mere mortal, but me?" She laughs. "You're out of your depth, Pirate. The choice is yours. Kiss Emma and remove her powers or everyone she loves dies."
Zelena disappears in another cloud of smoke, leaving Hook with another big decision to contemplate.
On Main Street, as they head to the diner, Avia hangs back and walks over to Snow and David.
"Thanks again for today." She tells them.
Snow and David smile down at their daughter, thrilled that she had a great time with them just like she used to. "You're welcome. You deserved it." David tells her.
Avia smiles. "I was actually expecting today to suck since, you know, I'm not in New York, but you guys made it pretty great." Tears develop in Snow's eyes as she looks at her daughter in awe. "You know, ever since I could remember, for every birthday, I used to always wish that I would find my parents, even when Emma adopted me, I was just hoping that one day we'd find them and show them how great our lives turned out to be. But as I got older, I knew it was just wishful thinking because even if we found them, it wouldn't make up for what they did. They still left us alone. They abandoned us, and you can't really make up for that." Snow and David glance sadly at one another, wondering if this is how Avia really felt even before her memories were taken away. Avia sighs. "My point is, even if we did find them, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be as great as you guys are going to be to your kid. They wouldn't even compare. Today proved that, as crazy as it may be. I'm not even your kid and you basically treated me as if I am. What stranger would teach some kid he barely knows how to drive – " She says, smiling at David. " – while his wife stood by barely able to watch – " She laughs. " – because she was afraid that I would get hurt."
Snow looks down, embarrassed. "Well, you're small." She mutters.
Avia chuckles. "Still. You weren't worried about the truck, or even your husband. You were worried about me, and that's more than I can say for any of the foster homes I've ever been in. I might still be annoyed that Emma brought me here, but apart of me is glad she did because I've met some pretty awesome people. Your kid is really lucky to have you. You gave me a birthday to remember, so thank you."
"Okay. Come here." Snow couldn't take it anymore. She brings Avia into her arms and hugs her close, as she looks desperately up at David who was feeling the same way she was.
"Hey!" They look up at Karley and Nick who are standing at the entrance of Granny's Diner. "You guys hungry, or what?" Karley asks.
David smiles down at Avia. "Actually, Avia, we have one more surprise for you."
Avia arches her brow up at David. "You do?" She questions.
"David." Snow gestures to their daughter.
David covers Avia's eyes as Snow grabs her hand and walks her to the diner. "Wait." Avia panics, slightly. "What's going on?"
"We're just hungry. That's all." Nick chuckles as he opens the door.
They walk inside the diner where Emma, the dwarves, Granny, Ruby, Regina, Robin, Belle, and the rest of their close friends are standing inside the decorated diner. David removes his hands from Avia's eyes. "Surprise!" They all shout.
Avia looks around, mouth agape. "What?" She asks with wide eyes, truly surprised.
Emma walks over and brings her sister into a hug. "Happy Birthday, kid."
"You did this?" Avia asks her.
Emma smirks, looking at her parents and Karley and Nick. "I had a lot of help."
Avia shakes her head in disbelief as each town member walks up, wishing her a happy birthday.
As the party goes on throughout the night, Emma walks over to Avia, who is sitting alone in a booth, and places a cupcake with a single candle in the middle down in front of her.
Avia raises her brows. "I'm surprised you remembered."
Emma smirks. "I could never forget our tradition."
"This is the first time we didn't spend my birthday together." Avia states, sadly.
Emma sighs. "Yeah. I know." She says, obviously disappointed in herself. "But you had a good day, right? I heard David let you drive."
Avia nods. "Uh. Yeah. I had a great time, surprisingly. Your friends are pretty awesome. But it would have been better if I had my sister with me. This party can't make up for it, if that's what you were hoping."
"I'm sorry, Avs."
"Yeah. I know. You're always sorry. But it's okay. I'm starting to get used to it."
"Avia…"
"When are we going home, Emma?" Avia asks abruptly. Yeah. She had a good time today, but Storybrooke isn't her home.
"Avia…" Emma hesitates. "I just need a little more time. I know you're tired of hearing that, but that's just how it has to be right now. This case became more than I expected."
The diner door opens, and the Swan sisters turn to see Hook walk through. He looks sheepishly at Emma. Avia looks at her sister who is staring longingly at the man. "You've changed, Emma." Emma furrows her brows as she turns back to Avia.
Hook steps up, nodding at the young Swan. "Happy Birthday, Avia."
Avia smiles slightly. "Thanks, Killian." She blows out her candle and quickly gets out of the booth. "I'll leave you two alone."
"Avia." Emma exclaims.
"Happy Birthday to me." Avia whispers as she continues walking away, making her way to the back of the diner where Karley and Nick are sitting with Regina.