Once Upon A Time Part 2

by TayChelle90

What if Emma was really eight-years-old when she came to this world? What if she was destined for so much more than just being a savior, but to be a big sister? What if Snow White and Prince Charming have another daughter who is destined to save them as well? What if? Here's a different take on the show. Similar story line, yet different.

35. Who You Say I Am

Merry Christmas!

You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for your kind reviews! Enjoy!

---

"So, what's the plan for today?" Karley asks as she and her brother run downstairs. "Because I think you're going to have to do more than the arcade, boats, and flirting if you want to get Avia's memories back."

"I don't flirt!" Nick scowls, offended.

Karley laughs. "Dude, you flirt. But you're lucky she's too angry at Emma to notice."

Nick rolls his eyes. Maybe he did flirt a little, but he was never going to admit to it. "Whatever." As the kids are about to head out, Regina is in the other room, looking in a mirror as she puts on her earrings. "Mom, we're leaving!"

"Okay!" Regina shouts back. "Please be careful and remember – "

"To stay near the protection barrier." Karley finishes, earning an amused grin from Regina. "We know."

Nick opens the front door, only to find a covered basket at the doorstep. "Uh. Mom?" Nick calls out as he and Karley look at one another in confusion. "Are you expecting a delivery?"

Regina furrows her brows as she looks at herself in the mirror. "What?" She walks out from the dining room and into the foyer where she sees Nick and Karley standing at the door. "Nicholas, what are you talking about?" They step aside, revealing the basket. Puzzled, Regina walks closer and removes the cover that reveals green apples.

"A gift from your Aunt Zelena." Regina rolls her eyes as they turn to find Zelena standing inside the dining room, looking back at them.

Regina quickly shields her children from the witch and turns to them. "You two get going. Keep your phones on you." But she sees that her kids are hesitant to leave her alone. "I'll be fine." She assures them. "Go." She urges softly.

Nick and Karley nod as they reluctantly walk away. Regina watches as they walk down the walkway before walking back inside the house, closing the door behind her. "Oh. I was so hoping to get to know my little niece and nephew." Zelena smiles. "Another time, I suppose."

Regina drops the basket of apples on the table, glaring at Zelena. "There will be no other time. What are you doing here?" She asks as she walks into the dining room.

"I saw your tree, and I thought you could use something better. Red apples are so sickly sweet, don't you think? People tend to like something… a little sharper."

"And green apples are just… bitter." Regina smirks, referring specifically to her sister. Zelena rolls her eyes and walks around the table, picking up Regina's belongings. "That's not yours."

Zelena scoffs. "Story of my life."

"Why are you here?" Regina asks again in frustration.

"Oh." Zelena shrugs, walking back towards Regina. "Sisterly concern, sisterly advice, you know." She says, walking into the foyer and into the living room with Regina following behind. "I wanted to make sure you're alright after our little showdown."

"I'm fine." Regina assures her smugly. "Are you?"

"Getting there." Zelena continues to look at Regina's possessions. "Wow. This is nice. So luxurious." She sits down on the couch, running her hand down one of the pillows. "You really don't appreciate what you have, do you?"

"Right, because I got everything, and you have nothing." Regina mocks. "If you want your superpower to be envy, go right ahead."

"'Envy' is just another word for 'ambition.'"

"Well, that's just not true."

"See, I strive for things." Zelena points out. "I work. You – " She scoffs. "You cast a curse that was just a fancy form of running away." Regina chuckles, clearly amused by this. "With every advantage, you still turn your back on every opportunity for happiness. You, Regina – " Zelena stands, looking around the living room. "You just don't take risks. You don't live your life." She walks to the mantel and runs her hand down the picture frame of Regina, Nick, and Karley. "It's just such a waste. I can see why our mother was so disappointed in you."

"Disappointed in me?" Regina questions, glaring at the witch. "She gave you away." She points out, infuriating the wicked witch.

"You have no idea what really happened." Zelena spats furiously. "That's exactly what's going to hurt you."

"You didn't come here to give me sisterly advice." Regina laughs. "Why are you really here?"

"So perceptive. I'm here, Regina, because I wanted to make sure that you weren't someplace else, so I could take what I need." Zelena explains. "Or rather, the Dark One could." She wickedly grins, causing a look of horror to come over Regina's face. "Do you feel it, Sis? He's taking your heart."

Zelena lets out a wicked laugh before Regina tries to throw a knife at her. But the witch dissipates into a cloud of green smoke.

---

"Stop right there." Robin Hood orders Rumplestiltskin, aiming his crossbow at the imp as they stand in the middle of the woods. "You know this arrow never misses its mark."

"If I could stand down, I would." Rumple tells him, solemnly. "Heed me. Give me the heart."

"No." Robin refuses.

Rumple sighs heavily, trying to fight against the witch's control. Roland, Robin's son, then enters the camp carrying firewood. "And who is this?"

Roland drops the wood when he sees his father and the merry men aiming their weapons at the Dark One. "Roland! Go back!" Robin shouts at his terrified son.

"Come here, little boy." Rumple urges the child.

"Don't! Please." Robin begs.

"I don't want to. I really don't. Come close, little boy." Rumple turns back to Roland and begins dragging the boy towards him with magic.

"Daddy!" Roland calls out to Robin.

"And stop." Rumple then buries Roland's legs into the dirt.

"Daddy, help!"

"I didn't want to do this, either, but – " Robin shoots an arrow towards Rumple, but he is stunned when the arrows freezes mid-air.

"It never misses its target – " Rumple repeats, magically turning the arrow towards the boy. " – and I've just changed the target. If I drop my finger – "

"No!" Robin shouts as the merry men try to lunge forward to help, but Rumple instantly freezes them with magic.

"I don't want to, but I will."

"Daddy!" Roland calls out desperately.

Before Rumple can drop his finger, Robin gives in. "Wait." Robin sets his crossbow down and retrieves Regina's heart which is hidden inside a tree. He grabs the satchel and walks to the Dark One, reluctantly handing it over.

"Thank you." Rumple says, sincerely. "And I am sorry. Truly."

He drops his finger and the arrow hurtles towards Roland's face, but freezes just inches from his face. It then drops to the ground, and Robin looks around the camp in horror, only to see that Rumple has vanished with Regina's heart. He then rushes towards Roland, stepping on the arrow and pulling his son out of the ground, embracing him in a tight hug. "It's okay. It's okay, boy. You're safe." Regina enters the camp, getting Robin's attention. "Go to Friar Tuck." He says to Roland, setting his son down before walking to Regina.

"What happened?" Regina asks.

"I'm sorry." Robin says, regretfully. "It's gone."

"Was anyone hurt?"

They both look back at Roland, who had already seemed to have forgotten what happened as he plays with Friar Tuck. "Luckily, no. Again, I must apologize. You trusted me, and I let you down."

"No, you didn't. Nothing's worth the loss of a child." Regina tells him. "But now we have a problem. I'm alive."

"I don't follow."

"She has my heart. Gold's taken it for her, and since she hasn't crushed it and killed me, that means she needs it for something far worse."

"Worse than murder?" Robin questions. "What is she planning?"

"It doesn't matter because I'm going to stop her."

---

Over at the bed and breakfast, Avia is sitting at the windowsill working on her laptop when Emma walks out of the bathroom.

"Hey. How about we do something today? Just you and me?" Emma suggests. "I can take the day off. What do you say?"

Avia looks up from the screen as someone knocks on their door. She slams her laptop close and tosses it aside. "Why change things now?" Avia asks with an attitude as she grabs her jacket. "Go do what you do best, Emma, so we can go home."

Emma rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by the attitude her sister had been giving her since her birthday. "Avia, come on. When is this going to end? I've apologized."

Avia opens the door where Karley and Nick are standing. She looks back, glaring at Emma. "I don't know. You tell me. I'm going out." Avia walks past her friends, ignoring Emma's plea to stop.

Nick and Karley look sadly at the Savior. "She's still giving you the cold-shoulder?" Nick assumes.

Emma sighs. "I can't say that I blame her."

"We'll try to talk to her." Karley promises.

Emma walks over to the kids, glancing down the empty hallway where Avia had disappeared. "I know this is just as hard for you both but thank you for not giving up on her. I'm really sucking as a sister right now, but – "

"You're doing your best." Nick finishes. "Don't worry about it. When have I ever given up on her?"

Emma smiles gratefully at the two siblings before they walk down the hall, following their friend.

---

Inside Gold's pawnshop, Regina is frantically searching through the items inside the counters and on top of the shelves.

"This is all useless crap!" She angrily states as she continues to toss things around.

Belle runs in from the back, hearing the commotion from the queen. "Hey, hey – hey, stop!" But Regina ignores Belle and continues to rummage through the items inside the counter. "Stop it! What are you looking for?"

"I need to destroy my sister." Regina tells her. "She has my heart." Belle steps back, nervously. "Oh, relax. She can't control me with it. I protected it from that. The problem is I don't know what she's planning on using it for. Which is why I need to take her out." She turns to Belle. "That's why I need your help. What do you have here?"

"What do I have here?" Belle questions in disbelief. "Self-respect." She answers. "Why on earth or any realm would I help you?" Regina scoffs. "The woman who imprisoned me in a tower in her castle then put me in an asylum for thirteen years, who's done nothing but mentally and physically torture me ever since we've known each other."

"Huh." Regina smiles, impressed by Belle's confidence. "Bookworm's got teeth."

Belle scoffs. "Get out."

"Yes." Regina sighs, regretfully. "I did all those horrible things… in the past. But right now, I need something to defeat the woman who's puppet-mastering your boyfriend. She has your Rumple, and unless you help me, you may never see him again." Belle is quiet for a moment, knowing Regina's right. "I'm sorry, Belle." She says, sincerely. "I really, really am."

Belle shakes her head, but she accepts Regina's apology and decides to explain what she's been working on to save Rumple. "So, I've been trying to match the ingredients that Zelena's been collecting to whatever spell she intends to cast. It would really help if I knew what is so special about your heart." Regina looks away, wondering the same thing. "Does she just want it because you're sisters, or – "

"I have no idea." Then an idea hits her. "The candle." Regina turns away, beginning to look around the store again. "Where's the candle?"

Belle grabs the candles of Lumiere. "This one?"

Regina scowls. "Not that, Liberace. The two-sided candle Snow used to kill my mother. Where's that?"

Belle rolls her eyes and sets Lumiere down before opening the drawer and pulling out the candle Regina's looking for. "The power is gone. Now it's just a relic."

"Yes!" Regina exclaims happily as she takes the candle from Belle. "That's it. This isn't about how my mother died. This is about how she lived."

---

Enchanted Forest…

A bartender hands a young Cora two cups of beer which she carries through a busy tavern to the men that ordered them. The drunken men begin to flirt with her while she playfully fends them off, accidentally bumping into a more handsome well kept man.

"I'm so sorry." Cora quickly apologizes to the man.

"Sit down, Cora." The man urges as he takes away her tray. "You've already worked past the end of your shift. And I daresay you've earned it."

"Thank you." Cora sits down on the opposite side of the man.

"You know, I've watched you this whole week that I've been here. You work in a tavern, but you move like a lady."

Cora shrugs, sheepishly. "I'm just a miller's daughter. I earn a little extra here. Someone once told me to act like what you plan to be, so I try to be a little better than what I am."

"Oh, I wish I could stay." He says, captivated by her beauty. "But tomorrow, I must press on. I've already stayed longer than I planned."

"Have you? Why?"

He chuckles. "I think you know why." As he digs into his coat pocket, he accidentally drops a handkerchief with a royal crest on it. Cora looks surprised. "Oh, that's – I didn't want you to – " He sighs, embarrassed.

"The royal crest." She whispers, stunned.

"I wanted you to know me as me, not as 'Prince Jonathan.'" He explains.

"Prince Jonathan." Cora repeats, amused.

"With all the noblewomen, I end up feeling like the last kernel of corn in the hen house. But you – you put me in my place when I'm wrong."

"And you are wrong pretty often." Cora teases.

Jonathan quickly puts the handkerchief back into his pocket, looking awkwardly at Cora. "This isn't how it's supposed to go, but I hoped to only ask this question once in my life, but I'm going to ask it twice – once now with – " Jonathan looks around and picks up a piece straw off the floor. " – with this ring made of straw." He shapes the straw into a ring. "But I will come back in two weeks and turn this ring into gold. Well, I'll bring you a gold one." He chuckles as Cora listens intently. "And I'll whisk you away to the castle as Princess Cora." Jonathan slowly places the ring onto Cora's left ring finger. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes." Cora answers, happily. "Yes."

Jonathan joyfully kisses her hand. "You've made me so happy. Oh, but these next two weeks are going to be torture. Meet me at the crossroads so we don't waste any time."

"I'll be there. When do you have to leave?"

"Very early tomorrow, I'm afraid."

"The tavern closes soon. But seeing as how we are essentially married – " She shrugs. " – perhaps I could keep you company in your room."

Jonathan stands, offering his hand to Cora which she quickly accepts, and they walk off to his room.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Nick and Karley walk in the stables with Avia following with a confused look upon her face as she looks around.

"And we are at the stables, why?" She asks.

Nick and Karley glance at each other. They remembered that the stables, just like the docks, was one of Avia's favorite places to go before her memory was taken away. They were hoping the horse that David have given to her would hopefully trigger something. "Well, we're just trying to show you that Storybrooke isn't all that bad." Nick tells her.

"Yeah. I mean, do you have stables in New York?" Karley asks.

Avia laughs, lightly. "Well, I'm sure somewhere in New York there's stables. Not necessarily in the city, though."

"Well, that's exactly why we brought you here. Also, I can only take so many days on a boat." Nick grimaces. They walk over to the stables where all the horses are, but over specifically to Avia's horse. "And this guy is – " He frowns, looking at his sister. "Does he have a name yet?"

Karley scowls, thinking. "You know, I don't think he does."

Avia looks sadly at the horse as she pets his snout. "Well, that sucks. Who's he for?" Nick and Karley glance at one another. "What?"

"Uh. Well, he's David's." Nick partially lies.

Avia looks surprised. "Really? David has a horse? I wonder why he never said anything."

"He did just get him." Karley says. "I don't think he's had time to name him."

"So, is that why you guys brought me here? David told you to?"

Nick shrugs. "He just mentioned it. Hey. Maybe you should name him." He suggests.

Avia furrows her brows, looking back at the horse. "I don't think David would appreciate me naming his horse." She laughs, lightly.

"I don't think he'd mine." Karley tells her. "Especially if it's a good name. He might be grateful for it."

Avia sighs, staring down at the horse. "So, did you bring me just to stare at him, or are we going to ride him?" She asks, changing the subject. Nick and Karley look a bit surprised by this since the last time Avia was around the horse she was frightened by him. "What? You don't know how to ride?"

"No. We do." Nick tells her quickly. "We're just surprised that you want to."

"Well, I'm sure you didn't just bring me here for the fresh air." She says, sarcastically. "So, come on. Let's do this." She urges.

"Let's go get the saddles, then." Karley says as she leads them towards the tack room.

---

What was she thinking assuming she'd have a day off? Regina ended up calling Emma to meet her at her house with an idea on how to defeat Zelena.

Emma enters Regina's office inside her home, and sees Hook sitting in a chair near the door, holding an apple. "I'd watch out for the apples in this house."

"Aye." Hook moans, somberly.

Emma furrows her brows at his behavior. "It was a joke. Where's your sense of humor?"

Hook tosses the apple aside and stands, following Emma to the table where David and Snow are sitting. "It left when the witch arrived."

"Well, we're gonna take care of that. Regina said she has a plan." Emma tells him as they both sit down.

"I'm sure she does."

"No, we didn't." David argues with Snow before turning to his daughter. "Emma, will you please tell your mother that we're not gonna name your brother 'Leopold'?" Emma looks at her mother, amused.

"Uh, why not?" Snow contends. "It was my father's name."

"People will make fun of him."

"My father was a King."

"Which is why nobody made fun of him."

Emma shrugs with a slight grin. "Avia will make fun of him."

David nods, resting his case. Regina walks in. "Sorry to keep you waiting." She says, carrying in a teapot. "I was making this special tea." She begins to pour it into each of their cups. David tries to drink his before Regina stops him. "No! Don't drink it. It's a deadly poison for summoning the dark vortex." She explains.

"I prefer Earl Grey." David says sarcastically.

"The dark what?" Emma questions.

"Zelena came by this morning." Regina tells them, earning concerned looks all around. "While the Dark One was stealing my heart, she was here gloating. She said that my weakness was that I don't know enough about her past. So, I've decided to summon someone who does. We have to talk to my mother." She looks up nervously at the group as everyone looks back, shocked.

---

At the farmhouse, Zelena pulls Regina's dark enchanted heart out of the satchel, looking victoriously at it. A flying monkey comes up behind her, chattering.

"Yes, I know it looks battered, but that's the point." Zelena tells it. She places the heart away into a small wooden chest and then places it inside an even larger chest where David's sword is rested. Zelena, then, begins looking through her wardrobe, pulling out a black suit for Rumple. "This will do perfectly." The monkey begins to screech, stomping its hand. Zelena smiles. "Oh, don't be jealous."

---

"What do you want me to do with this?" Rumple asks, holding out the suit as they now stand in the cellar inside of his prison cell.

"What do you think?" Zelena asks. "Wear it. I've got Regina's heart, Charming's courage, and right in here – " She runs her fingers through Rumple's hair. " – ready to be plucked, your lovely brains. We've got everything we need. It's a good time to celebrate, don't you think?"

"You don't have everything."

"No worries." Zelena smiles. "The children are next. Now, let's get you dressed."

"I'm not your doll." Rumple states, angrily.

"Aren't you? I'm not using the dagger, but I could." She threatens. "A certain baby could be here at any minute, so I'm going to give you a choice on how you want to live out the rest of this time. One choice is screaming agony, the other is much more pleasant." She smirks. "Choose well…doll."

Zelena turns away and walks up the stairs, out of the cellar, leaving Rumple alone, breathing heavily with anger and frustration.

---

The kids are riding their horses through the trails in the woods. Avia is sitting behind Nick on top of her horse while Karley sits on her own.

"I thought the whole point of this would be that I would be riding." Avia says, glumly.

"You are." Karley tells her.

"No." Avia narrows her eyes at the girl. "I'm sitting behind Nick while he steers the horse. What's the fun in that?"

Nick chuckles. "Yeah. You're not ready to be on your own just yet. So, enjoy the view. It may ease the tension."

"Tension?" Avia arches her brow. "What tension?"

"The tension that hasn't left your face since you arrived here. I get that you're angry at Emma, but you should cut her some slack. She's trying."

"You have no idea what you're talking about. You barely even know us." Avia argues, peeved. "When are you people going to realize that I don't belong here?"

"Okay. You're right." Karley agrees. "Maybe we don't know you. But what if you do belong here? What if you're here for a reason?"

"I'm here because Emma doesn't know how to refuse a job."

"She just wants to find the person who killed Neal." Nick tells her. "Don't you want that, too?"

"Look. Yes, it sucks that Neal is dead. But if Emma hasn't found the person responsible yet, then she's obviously never going to." Nick and Karley look at one another, knowing Emma had already found the person responsible, but they couldn't tell Avia that without telling her about magic. She needed to find out on her own and that meant getting her memory back. "I know you guys are really trying to make me feel like I belong here, but I don't." Avia shrugs, stubbornly. "I don't belong here, and I never will. So, now, are we going to ride or not? Actually, I have a better idea. Move." She nudges Nick.

"Wait. What?" Nick asks.

"Move. I want to steer the horse. Either you let me steer this one or I go find another one. Your choice."

Nick rolls his eyes and reluctantly jumps off the horse. Avia may not have her memories, but she's still stubborn and bossy. That hasn't changed. "Fine."

"Great. Thanks." Before Nick can even get the chance to climb back on, Avia kicks the horse and takes off further into the woods.

"Hey! Wait! Avia!" Nick shouts.

"Come on!" Karley shouts at her brother. Nick groans in frustration, jumping on the back of Karley's horse, following Avia.

---

Meanwhile, back at Regina's house, Regina is explaining to the group her plan.

"It's a fairly simple ritual but not often performed." She tells them.

"If it's easy to talk to the dead, why not do it more?" Emma asks, bewildered.

"Well, because to do it, you need the murder weapon and – " Regina looks at Snow. " – the murderer."

They all glance at Snow who becomes uncomfortable. Regina lights a match and lights each end of the candle that was used to kill Cora. "What do we need to do?" Emma asks.

Regina closes her eyes and puts out her hands which they take, forming a circle around the table. "Focus on Cora."

"Welcoming thoughts?" Hook asks, sarcastically.

"Whatever you got." Soon the light on the candle begins to flicker and a gust of wind swirls through the room, blowing the curtains and the fire in the fireplace out. A portal cloud opens up above them, and they all look up.

"We did it." Snow says, stunned.

"Cora?" Regina calls out to her mother. "Mother, can you hear us? Cora, give us a sign." They all look on in anticipation. "Do not ignore me now, Mother." Regina demands angrily. "Please. You owe me this."

The table suddenly bumps, startling everyone and they all unlink their hands, losing focus, closing the portal. "Sorry, love." Hook apologizes, awkwardly. "That was me. I crossed my legs and bumped the table."

Regina sighs, defeated. She leans over, blowing the candle out. "Do we try it again?" Snow asks.

"No." Regina says, disappointed. "There's no point. It worked. The portal opened, but nothing came from it. She doesn't want to talk to me." Snow sighs, relieved. "Guest whatever secrets lie in her past, she wants to keep buried there."

---

Enchanted Forest…

Two weeks have passed and the time that young Cora agreed to meet Jonathan at the crossroads has arrived. It's raining, but Cora continues to stand waiting for her prince to come, but there doesn't seem to be any sign of him. She soon realizes that he isn't coming, so she unwraps the straw ring he gave to her and drops it on the ground before walking away.

---

A couple months later, Cora is strolling through a garden when she notices something in the distance. Jonathan is standing underneath a gazebo.

"Jonathan." She exclaims to herself before she runs towards him. "Jonathan!" She says, excitingly, running under the gazebo. "Jonathan, it's me." Jonathan gives her a careless glance, looking Cora up and down. "What happened? It's been two months. My friends said it was a trick, but I said, 'no, it must be an accident or a – a misunderstanding,' that I'd find out at the castle. And here you are."

Jonathan sighs, finally turning fully towards Cora. "You are stubborn one, aren't you?"

Cora looks confused as she examines Jonathan and notices that he is holding a pickaxe and wearing muddy boots. "Are you the gardener?"

"Well, I'm not Prince Jonathan." He points out, laughing. "Of course, there is no Prince Jonathan."

"You lied to me." Cora says, devastated. "You took my heart, my virtue, my – my good name."

"I took?" Jonathan questions, amused. "You practically forced it into my hands when you thought that I was a prince. A harlot is a harlot." He snarls before turning away.

"I'm with child." Cora announces, missing the disgust that comes across Jonathan's face. "I'm going to have a baby." Jonathan turns back to Cora. "There may be no Prince Jonathan, but there is a prince, and how will he feel when I tell him what you've done? Give me enough to support this child." She demands. "You stole before. Do it again."

"Yeah, go ahead and tell him. Good luck finding me." Jonathan begins to walk away, but an angry Cora was not going to let him walk away that easily.

"Guards!" She shouts, grabbing hold of Jonathan. "Guards! There's a scoundrel in the garden! Guards, help me!"

Jonathan pushes Cora to the ground, silencing her, before he continues to escape. Cora sits on the floor of the gazebo, looking broken, saddened to having be lied to and led astray. "Are you alright?" A gentle voice asks as he approaches her. "What happened to you? You were calling for help."

Cora continues to look down at the floor of the gazebo. "He got away." She says, sadly. "Just a bandit on the road. He took everything I had."

"I'm so sorry to hear that." The man says, sincerely. "Come with me. We'll do everything we can for you." He puts his hand out for her to take.

"There's nothing you can do for me."

"Allow me to try. I'm Prince Leopold." He introduces himself.

Cora's eyes shoot wide open with shock. She finally looks up at the well dressed Prince and takes his awaiting hand, standing to her feet. "Thank you, Your Highness." She bows before him before allowing him to lead her away.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Back at Regina's house, the group walks out of Regina's office, frustrated that the Queen's plan didn't follow through.

"Maybe Belle will have more luck." David says. "There has to be something that can help us."

"Right. My magic gets more powerful every day. By the time this all goes down, I'll be ready." Emma tells them, confidently.

Regina walks up, looking rather nervous by this. "Make sure you are."

"I need to go check on Avia." Emma walks away with Hook following her.

"You know what? Go ahead." Snow tells David. "I'm gonna stay and talk to Regina. I'll help clean up." David nods and follows his daughter and the pirate out of the house.

"I'm not in the mood for a heart-to-heart." Regina tells Snow.

"I'm not sure that's physically possible right now." Snow points out.

Regina chuckles lightly. "You can help with the tea cups."

Snow smiles softly as she follows Regina back inside her office. But as they disappear into the room, neither one notices the archway in the wall mysteriously filling in and glowing a magical blue light, leaving nothing behind but a bare wall.

---

Out in the woods, Avia had quickly adjusted to riding a horse and was easily maneuvering like a pro through the woods, surprising even herself. She quietly jumps off the horse and looks around. As much as she enjoyed spending time with Karley and Nick, and was grateful for the distraction, she just needed time to herself right now. She was still annoyed with Emma and the fact that they were still in Storybrooke. And being around people was not something she wanted to be doing, especially in the mood she was currently in.

Thankfully, Nick and Karley were too far behind to see where she had stopped. So, Avia leads the horse towards the lake, hoping to distract it while she sat on the log to think. But her thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Avia, is it?"

Avia furrows her brows, looking up at the familiar face she met when she first arrived in town. "Uh. Yeah. You're David and Mary Margaret's midwife, right? Zelena?"

Zelena nods, chuckling lightly. "That I am. I was just on my way back home."

"Through the woods?" Avia questions, confused.

Zelena shrugs, sheepishly. "I like to walk through the woods sometimes to think. My farmhouse isn't too far from here. And, by the looks of it, you and I seem to have the same idea. You're out here alone?" She asks, looking around.

Avia sighs heavily. "Kinda. I sort of ditched my friends. I needed some time alone for a bit."

Zelena nods, understanding. "Well, don't let me interrupt."

Avia watches cautiously as the woman starts to walk away. "Um. You can stay, if you want." She says quietly, causing Zelena to stop and turn back to the girl curiously. "I mean, technically I'm messing up your routine by being here. I can go instead."

Avia starts to stand, but Zelena quickly stops her. "No. No. You look like you need to be here more than I do." Zelena walks closer and sits down on the side of Avia. "But I can stay here and talk, if you'd like to do that. You look like you could use someone to talk to – someone you, perhaps, don't know."

Avia looks forward, sighing. "Yeah. Maybe."

"Or we could just both sit here, quietly, and just enjoy the view." She says, looking towards the lake.

They sit silently for a few minutes before Avia decides to speak. "You just moved here, didn't you?" She wonders. "I mean, that's what I understood from Mary Margaret."

"I did. This town is sort of odd, don't you think?" Zelena frowns.

Avia chuckles. "I thought I was the only one who thought that."

Zelena grimaces. "And it's a bit gloomy as well." She adds.

"Where are you from?" Avia asks.

"Oh, a little magical town North from here."

Avia looks surprised. "And you moved to Storybrooke?"

Zelena smirks. "Well, I had business to attend here and, well, I couldn't pass the opportunity to do what I do best when I met Mary Margaret and saw how lost and desperate she was as she prepared for her baby."

Avia nods, sadly. "Yeah." She mumbles. "That kid is lucky. He or she is going to have great parents."

"And what about yours?" Zelena asks. "Where are they?"

Avia sighs. "I wish I knew. It's just me and my sister Emma. She's doing a job here and seems to have grown more accustomed to this place than I have since we arrived. I didn't even know she had friends, honestly, until I met Mary Margaret and David."

"It's just been you and your sister all your life?" Zelena asks, trying her best to sound surprised.

Avia nods. "Yep. We lived in foster homes and group homes until Emma aged out."

"How awful."

"Yeah."

"You know, I don't know my parents either." Zelena admits.

Avia looks up at Zelena, surprised by this. "Really? You were an orphan, too?"

Zelena shrugs. "I sort of still am, I suppose. I don't think you're ever not one. You may have grown up, but you're still alone. You have no family." Zelena forces a smile. "But you have your sister. That's not something you have to worry about."

Avia frowns. "I guess."

Seeing the saddened look on Avia's face, Zelena gasps. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong? You know, I've come to realize I tend to stick my foot in my mouth, not thinking before I speak."

"No. It's okay." Avia assures her. "You're right. I mean, it doesn't matter how old you are, you're always considered an orphan. That's what it means anyway when you don't have parents, isn't it? Regardless if Emma has custody of me, we're still orphans. We only have each other. Except now – "

"What is it?" Zelena urges. Avia hesitates, unsure if she should open up anymore to this woman. "I know I'm just a stranger, Avia. And I know we've technically just met, but it seems we have more in common than we both realized. You can tell me anything and I promise to keep it between just us."

"I don't know." She sighs, heavily. "I guess – I guess I just still feel like an orphan, you know. Sometimes, especially now, I feel more alone than ever – like I don't belong here or anywhere, really." Before Zelena could respond, Avia begins to laugh. "Ugh. I'm sorry." She says, quickly wiping away the tears that managed to fall from her green eyes. "I don't usually open up to people like this, especially people I don't know. I'm sorry."

"Oh, don't apologize. I understand. I really do." Zelena assures her. "But don't you worry, Miss. Avia, I'm sure you'll find your place soon enough."

Avia smiles up at the woman just as Nick and Karley run up. "Avia!" Nick shouts, looking horrified to find his friend sitting next to the wicked witch. "What are you doing?"

"Uh. Sorry, guys." Avia stands up, along with Zelena, wiping away her tears. "I was just taking a break and ran into Zelena – Mary Margaret and David's midwife. Zelena, this is Nick and Karley. They are the mayor's kids."

Zelena smiles at the two kids, who look back at her in disgust. "Yes. I believe we've met."

"We gotta go, Avia."

"Geez." Avia scowls at her friends. "Don't be so rude, Nick." Avia grabs onto her horse's reigns. "Thanks for the talk, Zelena."

"You are quite welcome. I am just above that hill over there – " She points behind her. " – if ever you need to have another talk."

"Thanks." Avia smiles as she walks her horse towards Nick and Karley.

Zelena watches with a pleased, wicked smile upon her face as Nick and Karley turn away from her and quickly follow Avia.

"You can't just run away like that, Avia." Nick reprimands. "You don't know everyone here. Something could have happened."

"Who are you? My father?" Avia glares. "You sound like Emma."

"Let's just go back to stables." Nick huffs as he jumps on the horse and rides off.

Karley jumps on her own and helps Avia up. "I'm sorry about him." Karley says as Avia sits behind her. "He was just worried."

"More like paranoid." Avia frowns, annoyed.

"He's right, though." Karley shrugs. "You need to be careful."

"Why? Because Neal was killed? If that was the case, I'm pretty sure Emma and your mom wouldn't just let us go off without them like this."

"I'm just saying, be careful, okay?"

Avia continues giving Karley a disconcerted look as they ride through the woods. "Fine." She reluctantly agrees.

---

Enchanted Forest…

Cora and Prince Leopold are walking through the woods as Cora reminisces. "And there it was, my oldest night dress. The boys tied it to the top of the windmill, it's flapping in the wind for the whole village to see, and I am the maddest little eight-year-old you ever saw." She says as they both laugh.

"Did you ever get revenge for that?" The Prince asks.

"That's a long-term plan. You see, there aren't that many young people in my village and, odds are, one of them will end up married to me. That should do it." She laughs.

"You're wonderful." He comments, noticing her shivering. "And cold."

"It's a bit frosty, but I'm okay." Cora assures him.

They walk into a clearing in the woods. "I'd build a fire for you, but I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how."

"I do." Cora smiles. She takes the knife from his belt and Prince Leopold watches with shock and curiosity as Cora begins setting up the fire.

"I'm going to be King." He states nervously as he sits down on a log.

"I gather that happens when you're Prince."

"And I want to do right by that gift. I keep telling myself I want to be a man of the people, and then I realize I can't even build a fire, a task a peasant can do."

"Well, this peasant can fix that." Cora scratches the knife onto a rock, causing sparks which fall onto the dry shrubbery below. She then hands Prince Leopold his knife back and begins blowing air into the grass, gesturing towards Leopold to help which he does. "See?" She says as they smile at one another while smoke begins to form. "Just have to let air get in it." Cora sets the grass down under some sticks and the fire begins to burn while they both sit back on the log, warming up.

"When the throne becomes mine, I'll need to provide an heir of my own."

"You'll have to marry."

"And start a family immediately." Prince Leopold adds.

"That actually sounds nice. Anyone in mind?" She asks, quizzically.

Leopold stares longingly at Cora before answering. "Yes." He nods. Cora stares back, looking hopeful. "Princess Eva – " He says, bringing disappointment to Cora. " – from the Northern Kingdom. We've been engaged since her birth."

"Oh. Is she nice?"

Leopold sighs, unenthused. "I'll let you know after I meet her. That's tonight."

"You don't sound very excited. I'm sure she's a lovely choice."

"I'm sure she is. She's just not a choice… I made." He says, as they both stare, once again, deeply into each other's eyes, leaning close.

"What's the use of having power if you can't choose whom to wed?" Cora wonders.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Snow and Regina are in Regina's kitchen tidying up. Snow is sitting at the counter, looking down at an apple in her hand.

"I want to apologize, Regina." Snow says, somberly. "For Cora, for – "

"Murdering her?" Regina interrupts with her back turned from Snow.

"Right. Yeah. I don't take it lightly. I think about it every day."

"So do I." Regina adds with an angry tone. "And when I do – " She turns to Snow. " – think about it, I remember that she did kill your mother. So, I'll admit that it's complicated."

"Thank you." Snow says, gratefully. "I'm sure you had some things you wanted to say to her."

Regina scoffs. "Yes, well, I'm realizing that my mother walled off a lot of her life from me. She wasn't the warmest mother, but at least I thought I occupied a singular spot in her heart." Regina sighs in disbelief. "A sister. Zelena." She leans down on the counter, thinking about the wicked witch. "Why would she give her up? Why would she make us strangers to one another?"

They are soon interrupted by a sound coming from upstairs. "Are Nick and Karley home?" Snow wonders.

Regina scowls. "No." She shakes her head. "They are still out with Avia."

"It's coming from upstairs."

---

Upstairs, Regina and Snow are walking down the hall, searching for the source of the sound.

"It's in there." Regina points to the door at the end of the hall as they continue to walk closer. "There isn't anything in this room. It's – " She goes to reach for the door handle, but the second she touches it, the door flies away. Both women gasps, startled by the terrifying sight of a spin wheel inside of the room. A ghost's head turns around, revealing it to be the spirit of young Cora. "Mother?" Regina questions, shocked.

The ghost of Cora stares at the two women with a look of anger in her face.

---

At the diner, Emma is sitting at the counter with her eyes closed, concentrating hard on the hot cocoa that is sitting in front of her.

After a few moments, the cocoa suddenly disappears. "Boom!" Emma celebrates joyfully over her magic. She turns to one of the tables, where Hook is sitting, and sees the cocoa in front of him. "Granny's to go." She says, proudly. "I should open a franchise."

"It's impressive." Hook states as Emma sits on the opposite side of him.

"You want to see something really impressive?" Hook sighs. Emma waves her hand and Hook notices that his hook is missing, having been teleported to a coat hanger. Emma begins laughing, seeing the peeved look upon the pirate's face.

"That's bad form Swan – tampering with a man's hook." He grumpily goes to retrieve it.

"Okay, seriously, what is up with you?"

Hook clicks his hook back in place. "I apologize for my rudeness." He says as he sits back down in the booth. "It's a long story – too long for now." He grabs his flask and takes a swig.

"Okay. Obviously, something's – "

Suddenly, Belle bursts through the doors, carrying a book. "Emma!" She pants heavily, running towards their booth. "Emma, I found it!" She drops the book in front of Emma and opens it, pointing to a page. "We have to tell Regina and the others."

"Okay, Belle, slow down." Emma says, calmly. "What did you find?"

"Zelena's plan. I figured out what she's doing."

---

At the farmhouse, Zelena is standing proudly before Rumple who is dressed in the suit.

"You should have a woman dress you more often. Please, do have a seat." She gestures towards the table she set up for their dinner.

"I wonder how much civility I'll be asked to endure before this evening's true purpose is revealed." Rumple states, grudgingly sitting down.

Zelena chuckles. "Relax." She places a napkin on to the Dark One's lap. "You know I'm not one for subtlety."

"Oh, how lucky for me."

"Play coy if you like – " She says as she pours the wine. " – but we both know that it wasn't a dagger that brought you into my kitchen."

"Well, coercion takes many forms, my dear, but I can assure you, I'm not here for the boiled peas."

"No, you're here for my secret, aren't you?" Zelena says as she opens the oven. "Why a heart? Why courage? Why a brain? Why Snow White and Prince Charming's children?"

"And more to the point, why is it of any interest to me?"

Zelena sits down, filling their plates with food. "Because my secret will reunite you with your long-lost son."

"My son is not lost. He's dead. You watched him die."

"This isn't idle cruelty." Zelena assures him. "I promise you, he's alive and waiting for you to find him."

"Find him where?"

"Not where." Zelena corrects him. "When." She smirks seeing that she's peaked Rumple's interest. "I'm going to change the past."

"No." Rumple says, bluntly. "Time travel spells have been written since the dawn of the dark arts but never cast. It's against the fundamental laws of magic."

Zelena chuckles. "Magic doesn't fail. People fail. Laws only exist until they're broken by someone…superior."

Rumple glares at the witch. "You?" He leans forward, looking curious. "You've deciphered the laws of time travel."

"When that baby's born, I am going back to claim the life that I deserved, and there's no reason that you can't come with me."

"To find my boy. Perhaps never give him up." He says, tempted.

"And with the help of the one made by true love whom can open any realm with a simple drop of blood..." Zelena grins, wickedly. "Well, that's just a little extra fun." She giggles.

---

Back at Regina's house, she and Snow are standing in awe as they watch the ghost of young Cora fly in front of them.

"This can't be." Regina says, baffled. "The spell opened a limited portal for talking."

"It's me." Snow says, shaking her head. "I killed Cora. She sensed my presence and found a way to bleed through into our world."

Cora dives towards Snow, but Regina quickly stands in her way. "Back down, Mother." Regina demands. "You will answer my questions. Now, tell me – what did you do to Zelena?"

The ghost remains silent and with one single sweep of her arm, she pushes her daughter down to the ground, glaring viciously at Snow, slowly making her way towards the frightened Princess. Cora pounces towards Snow, but Regina uses her magic to teleport herself and Snow into another room. For a moment everything seems to be safe, but Cora suddenly bursts through the wall, coming towards them. Snow cowards down as Regina uses her magic to hold Cora back.

"You're holding her off!" Snow shouts.

"But I can't hold her forever."

---

Enchanted Forest…

Young Cora, who is now dressed in royal attire, is looking down at a golden ring on her hand, as she sits under a gazebo.

Suddenly, a hand aggressively grabs her hand, looking down at the ring. "Well, lo and behold, it turned into gold after all." Jonathan patronizes.

Cora snatches her hand back. "How dare you. You must have the brain the size of a pixie to show your face in this kingdom."

"Well, I had to see for myself if the commoner who said yes to Prince Leopold was the same one who said it to me… several times… in one night." He mocks.

"In two days, I will be a Princess, and you will bow down and count yourself lucky to pull the weeds at my feet."

Jonathan laughs. "Been practicing in front of the mirror, eh? You're as much as a fraud as I ever was."

"My love for Prince Leopold is true, as is his for me." Cora smiles.

"But does he know how much of you there is to love?" Jonathan asks, speaking about their baby. "Or were you hoping to keep our baby a secret?"

"What is it you want?" Cora glares furiously. "Gold? Jewels?"

"Mm, yes, whatever you can get. Enough for me to live happily for the rest of my days, just like you wanted from me. Bring it here tomorrow night. And your secret shall remain just that."

A bitter Cora looks away. "It will be done. Now leave before someone sees you."

Jonathan gets up, walking away, leaving Cora alone. But, unfortunately, she's not as alone as she thought. Princess Eva is standing beside the gazebo, having heard everything that was just said.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Back at Regina's house, the ghost of young Cora is pushing forcefully against her daughter's magic which is stopping her from reaching Snow.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold her off." Regina says, feeling her magic weaken.

"Cora, I'm sorry. Please forgive me!" Snow pleads desperately.

But saying that only angers Cora more. "Save your breath. Your mother was nothing like my mother. She only understands power and weakness. But if she wants to kill you, she's gonna have to go through me!" Regina shouts furiously, surprising Snow. "This isn't about you. This is about her…and me." Regina stops her magic, giving up. "It's time for answers, Mother." The ghost of young Cora simply stares back at her daughter coldly. "What did you do to Zelena!?" She screams before Cora knocks her to the floor.

The ghost then enters Snow's body, sending her into a trance where she begins to see flashes of Cora's younger life.

---

Enchanted Forest…

Cora, who is now dressed in a gown, walks through a large royal hall where tables are set up. She keeps walking until she sees Prince Leopold watching her, startling her slightly.

"My love, you frightened me." She tells him nervously as she pecks him gently on the lips.

"What are you doing in the Great Hall at this hour?" Leopold wonders.

"Well, a wedding won't plan itself, and there's endless amounts of work to be done." Cora frowns at the grave look on Prince Leopold's face. "Is something wrong?"

"Word has spread throughout the castle that – " Leopold sighs. " – that you are with child."

"My love, I am so sorry for the terrible trouble that this lie has brought upon you."

"Gossip means nothing to me. I've pledged to marry you, dear Cora, and I will keep that pledge as long as I know I can trust you."

Cora takes Leopold's hand into her own. "There is no baby." She assures him. "Only my love for you."

"You only love yourself." Princess Eva says from a distance as she walks into the hall.

"What is she doing here?" Cora asks angrily.

"Princess Eva is here because she overheard your rendezvous in the garden yesterday." Leopold explains.

"And just as I said, the miller's daughter is a worthless liar." Eva says intensely.

"You awful child." Cora glares at the princess. "Yes, I was in the garden yesterday." She admits. "There was a man roaming the grounds. I feared he might steal something, so I made him leave. Whatever else Eva has told you is the invention of a jealous brat who would say anything to marry you."

"Check her pockets." Eva tells Leopold calmly.

Cora nervously looks back at the prince as he steps closer and grabs the jewelry that was hidden inside her pocket. "There's nothing left to say." An angry Leopold says, walking away.

"You deserve better than her lies." Eva says, as she follows him.

Two guards then enter the hall and escort Cora away. "Leopold!" Cora begs. "Don't let me go!"

Ignoring her, Leopold stands with his back turned from Cora, disheartened. "Come, Eva. Help me break this terrible news to the King."

"Today your heart aches, your highness, but I promise a more worthy wife will give you the child that you deserve – " Eva says with a smile. " – one that will be pure. Pure as snow."

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Snow is still in her possessed trance with a blue glow surrounding her. A terrified Regina rushes up to her. "Snow! Hold on. I won't let you go." And with her magic, Regina pulls the ghost of Cora out of Snow. She pushes Cora towards the portal that opened and sends her back into the spirit world, closing the portal just as Emma, David, Hook, and Belle run in.

"What the hell was that!?" Emma exclaims.

"Cora." Regina turns back to Snow, who is being checked by David. "Is she okay?"

"Snow, can you hear me?" David calls out to his wife.

Emma rushes over and kneels down next to her mother, taking her hand. "Cora – " Snow says, weakly. " – not what we thought. She's trying to communicate."

"She was?" Regina asks, staggered. "What'd she say?"

"Leopold, my mother – my mother – "

"Shh." David hushes. "Snow, relax."

"She's not making sense." Emma says. "We need to call a doctor."

"If she knows something that could help us – " Regina stresses.

"Regina, it's gonna have to wait." David says, sternly.

"It can't wait! If we want to stop Zelena, we have to know what the hell she's doing and why!"

"I can help with half of that." Belle finally says.

"What?"

"She's planning on going back – back in time."

"Are you certain?" Regina asks. Belle nods, confirming. "No one's ever been able to cast a spell to go back in time."

"Well, clearly, she thinks she can succeed. I mean, brains, courage, a resilient heart – "

"And blood." Regina frowns, realizing now why Zelena wants Avia.

"Those ingredients are in every time-travel spell I've found. Avia has the power to move through realms." Belle finishes.

"By why go back in time?" David asks. "I mean, we have no idea what she's trying to accomplish."

"I do." Snow says, weakly, slowly getting her strength back. "She didn't want to give up Zelena. She was forced to by – " Snow closes her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief. " – by my mother. Princess Eva… she told a secret… just like I did."

"Wait." Emma looks at her mother in confusion. "I thought our family were the good guys."

Snow sighs heavily, unable to respond to her daughter. "Life is too messy for it to ever be that simple." Regina says.

"You're saying if it wasn't for Snow's mother, Cora would have kept Zelena." David points out.

"She would have been tutored by Rumplestiltskin." Belle adds.

"All if it weren't for this Princess Eva?" Hook asks.

"So, that means – " Emma scowls.

"Zelena's going back to kill my mother." Snow finishes.

Regina gasps. "You'll have never been born."

"I'm guessing this is where your help ends." Emma assumes.

"Now, think it through, Miss. Swan. That means you and Avia will have never been born."

"And on this different path, Regina, you may not be, either." Snow adds.

"It's a good thing no one has ever succeeded with this time-travel nonsense." Hook states.

Suddenly, Nick and Karley run in, panicked. Regina jumps up, looking concerned. "What? What is it?"

"Where's Avia?" Emma asks.

"We have a problem." Nick tells her.

"Where's Avia?" Emma asks again, assuming something happened to her sister.

"She's fine. She's back at the inn." Karley assures the Charming family. "But something happened while we were riding."

Nick shares as look with his sister before looking back at the worried faces staring back them. "Avia wandered off."

Snow sits up, confused about where this was going. "And?"

"And when we finally found her, we caught her in a deep discussion with…" Nick looks back Regina. "…Zelena."

"She's trying to gain trust from Avia." Regina says.

"Well, we can't let that happen." Snow panics.

"And, right now, Avia vulnerable." Emma points out.

"And she's angry." Karley adds. "Like really angry."

"And without her memories, Zelena can easily persuade Avia to her side." Belle tells them.

"The baby." David suddenly realizes. "That's why none have succeeded. Somehow, some way, our baby is the key, and Avia is Zelena's way of opening a portal. She went to a lot of effort to get close to our unborn child. That's what she's after – our children."

"Who knew true love could make powerful children?" Hook asks sarcastically.

"It doesn't matter." David assures his worried wife as he kneels back down, placing his hand over Snow's as they both stroke her pregnant belly. "She's not gonna get either one of them. We're gonna stop her. And since our baby's not born, she's stuck, and we have what we need – time."

Snow narrows her eyes at her husband, knowing it could be any day that their baby arrives. "Just not very much of it."

"I suggest figuring out a way to retrieve Avia's memories." Hook tells them, sharing a look with Emma, remembering their last discussion.

---

Enchanted Forest…

Cora, who is back in her raggedy clothes, is lying in bed as she screams out in pain. She begins panting heavily, pushing and squeezing with all she has as her midwife delivers her baby.

---

A short while later, after giving birth, Cora walks through the dark woods, carrying her newly born baby in a basket. She places the basket down on the ground and kneels close to the baby. "Poor babe." She says, sadly. "Life is cruel and full of betrayal. That is my only lesson for you. Now I must give you away… to give me my best chance." Her voice breaking with dread as she stares down at her baby. "As long as I have you, I can never be anything more than a miller's daughter."

As Cora stands back up, the baby begins to cry out for her, but Cora turns around and walks away. And as the baby is left alone in the woods, a storm approaches, turning the sky green, causing the baby to cry even louder as a swirling tornado shoots down, scooping the baby up.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

"Thank you." Rumple says to Zelena after they've finished their meal.

Zelena looks confused. "For what?"

Rumple grabs Zelena's plate and sets it aside. "For showing me something I should have seen long ago." He shrugs, looking back at the witch. "It's never easy for a man to admit he's wrong but I wronged you and hurt us both." He begins to refill Zelena's glass with wine.

"Those mistakes can't haunt us… not anymore." She tells him. "Soon, history will be wiped clean." They both clink their glasses, sealing the celebration.

"Until then, a gentleman always makes amends – " Rumple strokes Zelena's cheek softly, making her smile. " – for his failings."

He then leans in and kisses her neck, causing her to moan with pleasure. She stands up and Rumple continues to kiss her body and lips while stroking her body with his hands. He continues to make his way down her body, but suddenly a flash of green magic freezes him. "Sorry, love." Zelena hisses, seeing that Rumple was reaching for the dagger. "Afraid not!"

"Never on the first date, eh, dearie?" Rumple mocks.

"You just wanted the knife." She says, angrily, grabbing the knife that was hidden in her boot, pointing it a Rumple. "I hope you enjoyed the taste, because you just squandered your only chance to have your son!" She waves her hand, unfreezing the Dark One.

"My son gave his life, so I could stop you, and I can see only one way to honor that sacrifice, and that's by killing you." He snarls.

"Celebration's over." Zelena says, bitterly. "Back to your cage, doll."

Under the control of the dagger, Rumple leaves the farmhouse and heads back to his cell, while Zelena tries to hold back her tears.

---

Meanwhile, at Regina's house, Regina is picking up the items that fell onto the floor by Cora's ghost while Snow walks in.

"Need a hand?" Snow offers.

"Shouldn't you be on bed rest?" Regina asks, considering what just happened to her.

"Dr. Whale just left. He cleared me and the baby. Apparently, the human body has a surprising tolerance for ghost possession. And he told me I have a tough placenta, which somehow came out creepy." Snow grabs the broom and starts to help Regina. "You want to talk about it?"

"What's there to talk about? You officially have a less-damaging relationship with my mother than I do. And you killed her."

"Well, at least we know, you and me, our history – it's more complicated than we thought."

"I know how much you looked up to Eva." Regina says, shaking her head. "I'm sorry you had to learn she had such darkness in her past."

Snow nods, remembering her mother, as she sits down next to Regina at the table. "That wasn't the woman I knew. It makes me wonder what happened that changed her. Afterall, I did name my daughter after her for a reason." Snow sighs, thinking about Avia. "But I suppose I'll never know."

"Well, we can never know our past completely. If we had, I probably wouldn't have spent so much time trying to kill you." Regina adds, earning an amused grin from Snow.

"Well, we would've found something to fight about. I mean, I was such a brat."

Regina laughs, holding back her tears. "Your mother's child."

"I think we've wasted our last day being haunted by the past." Snow smiles, comfortingly.

"Now we can focus on being haunted by our impending lack of a future."

"Zelena's isn't going to win – not with all of us united against her."

"Hope isn't easy when I know she holds my heart." Regina says in discomfort.

"Which you'll get back, stronger than ever." Snow assures her. "That's what it means to be the most resilient."

"That could be another one of her tricks, too." Regina shrugs.

"Regina, I've seen what life has thrown at you. And you still fight against the darkness every single day. You fight for those two kids out there – " Snow points behind her. " – who love you so much. They believe in the good in you. You have to keep going. You have to keep believing in your happiness. There's so much more out there for you. You can't give up."

---

Out in the woods, Robin Hood is holding a stick into a camp fire, exposing his lion tattoo on his arm. A noise suddenly gets his attention, and when he looks up, he's shocked to see Regina walking towards him.

"Milady. I'm sorry." He apologizes once again for letting Rumple take her heart. "I let you down. Your heart was lost to Zelena on my watch, but I promise you, I will get it back."

Regina grabs his jacket and pulls him close, kissing him deeply on the lips. They pull apart staring into each other's eyes before going in for another kiss, this time even more passionate than before.

---

Over at the bed and breakfast, Emma steps out from the bathroom and into the dark room where the only light shining through is from the moon outside their window.

"Yeah." Emma says as she holds the phone up to her ear, speaking to her father. "She's fine. She's asleep. Okay. See you tomorrow."

Emma hangs up, letting out a heavy sigh as she stares longingly at her sister, who is sleeping restfully in bed without any nightmares from her past – a past Emma has tried so very hard to shield her from.

---

Enchanted Forest / One Year Ago…

A hooded figure is riding a horse through the woods, on its way to Snow White and Prince Charming's palace.

Regina stands bemused as she stands before Snow and David, alongside Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, who are standing silently. "You've gathered the entire kingdom for this?" She asks, annoyed. "There's a wicked witch out there just waiting to pounce. And pretending otherwise would be dangerous."

"There's nothing dangerous about rallying our people." David tells her.

"You're announcing you're pregnant. It's not like you invented the wheel."

The hooded figure makes their way into the room. "What's this?" David asks, strongly.

The figure removes their hood, revealing themselves as Belle. "Belle!" Snow exclaims.

Everyone looks at the distraught woman, surprised to see her. "Are you okay? When you and Neal disappeared, we feared the worst."

"We went off to see if we could revive the Dark One." Belle explains.

"What happened?" Regina asks.

"Neal was able to resurrect him at the cost of his own life."

"Rumple's alive." Regina grins, pleased.

"Neal's dead." Snow says, sadly.

"I think so." Belle says, slightly unsure.

"To which?" Regina glares.

"Both? You see, when Rumple saw that Neal was dying, he absorbed him. And Zelena got ahold of the dagger. Now she controls Rumple."

Regina groans, irritated. "Maybe now isn't the time to announce the pregnancy." Aurora says, stepping forward. "Regina is right. It's too dangerous."

"No, if we don't, we give in to fear." Snow tells them. "But if we do, we give the kingdom what they need – hope."

"We don't even know what this wicked witch wants." David adds.

"Actually, we do." Aurora reluctantly admits. "She wants your baby."

Snow and David are stunned by this. "She came to us when you were gone, threatened us and our unborn child unless we told her when you arrived in our land." Prince Phillip adds as he steps next to his wife.

"She thinks your baby could be important. I'm so sorry. She said she'd hurt us."

Suddenly, a whooshing sound of wind is heard, and they all turn around in time to see the Wicked Witch fly through the opening on her broomstick. "And I make good on my promises." Zelena waves her hand and envelops Phillip and Aurora in a cloud of green smoke, turning them into flying monkeys.

As they fly away, Snow turns sternly to the witch. "What do you want with our baby?"

"Calm down, sweetie. You don't want to go into early labor." She waves her hand, freezing Snow in place.

David draws out his sword. "Stay away from my wife!" But Zelena waves her hand, freezing him, too.

"Ooh! Someone's testy."

"Enough, sis." Regina demands, walking towards Zelena. "This is between you and me." As Regina goes to raise her hand, Zelena waves her own, freezing Regina in place.

"Now – " Zelena walks up to Snow. " – let's see if this was all worth it." She places her hand on Snow's belly. "Oh, yes. Yes, it was. This child shall do quite nicely." She smiles as Snow looks at the witch with fear evident in her eyes. "So, take good care of it for me. Don't forget to eat well. I will be back for your happy day. And what's yours… will be mine." She chuckles before flying away, unfreezing the three.

As Regina glares furiously out the opening her sister left from, Charming tends to his wife, who looks horrified.

---

Eight Months Later…

Snow, who is more visibly pregnant, rests her hands over her belly as she sits at the round table, joined by David, Regina, Robin Hood, Belle, and Granny. This was all seeming fairly familiar.

Grumpy walks in. "Grumpy, tell me you found something." David asks, looking hopeful.

"I've been to Blue, Tink, all the fairies." Grumpy tells them. "They've been scouring the forest for enchanted items to destroy her, but they got zilch. They say she's just too powerful."

"It's happening again." Snow says in disbelief. "I'm about to give birth, and an evil sorceress is threatening the future of my child."

"To be fair, - " Regina says, offended. " – the first time, I was threatening you. Everyone else just became collateral damage."

"Remind me again why we forgave her?" Grumpy scowls, pointing at the Queen.

"Because I'm helping. Frustrating as it is for me to remember, Snow, you had a head start to defeat me last time. How?" She asks, curiously.

"We were warned." David answers.

"By Rumplestiltskin." Snow adds.

"Well, maybe he can warn you again." Regina deduces.

"Wait." Grumpy says, confused. "You want to sneak into Rumple's castle, where's he's being held captive by the Wicked Witch? Name's Grumpy, not stupid."

"You're right." Snow agrees. "It is stupid, but for our child – "

David reaches across the table, taking his wife's hand. "We'll do whatever it takes."

"Heartwarming." Regina says, sarcastically. "He's trapped in his own castle. Belle, you were prisoner there."

"Yes, but breaking in?" Belle questions. "I would have no idea how."

"Luckily, I do." Robin interjects. "I broke in there once before."

Regina chuckles. "Why are we even listening to him? He's a thief, which means he's not to be trusted." She scowls at the man. "What are you even still doing here?"

"What I'm doing here is saving your ass." Robin says, simply. "The castle has traps – " He continues on, ignoring Regina's glower. " – and deadly ones."

"Not more deadly than my magic."

"They are if you don't see them coming."

"Well, maybe I'm okay with taking my chances." She argues.

"Alright." Snow interrupts, having heard enough from the two. "You may be, but we're not. He's coming."

Regina sits back, sighing heavily, as Robin turns to her, smugly smirking.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Regina and Robin are making out in the back of Granny's diner. They pull away, looking deeply into each other.

"What do you see in me?" Regina wonders.

"Hopefully the same thing you see in me – a second chance." Robin answers. "And you're quite a good kisser." He smiles.

Regina chuckles. "Just wait till I actually have my heart back." She teases.

"What is that like? I mean, can you – "

"Feel?" Regina asks. Robin nods. "Yes, I can. Just not fully. It's difficult to explain."

"Then don't." Robin places Regina's hand over his heart. "Use mine for the both of us."

Regina leans in and they resume their make-out session just as Avia comes jumping down from the stairs. "Oh." She grimaces. Regina and Robin quickly pull away. "Awkward." Avia mumbles.

"Oh, Avia." Regina says, embarrassed to have been caught.

"Don't mind me, Madame Mayor." Avia laughs, lightly. "I'm just walking through. Resume kissing." She shakes her head, amused, as she walks into the diner.

Robin looks at Regina seeing the somber look on her face. "Are you alright?"

Regina sighs. "I'm not sure why it bothers me. We never got along. But, for some reason, through all the hell I put her through, that little girl always had my back, even when I wanted her out of our lives. The old Avia would have given us a snarky sarcastic comment – one that would make me want to wring her little neck. I just never thought I would miss it."

Robin nods, understanding. "I'm sure you'll all have her back soon enough. You'll find a way."

"Speaking of, they're waiting for me. I should go."

She starts to walk away before Robin takes hold of her arm, pulling her back. "Wait." He places another kiss onto her lips, sending a smile back onto her face. "Good luck."

They kiss once more before parting ways.

---

Upstairs, Regina enters the bedroom with a wide grin on her face, surprising both Emma and Snow.

"Regina." Snow says. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you look smitten."

Ignoring Snow, Regina walk up, crossing her arms. "Can we get started?" She asks in all seriousness.

"We were waiting for Hook." Emma tells her.

"I don't have time to wait for the handless wonder. We have to figure out how to destroy my sister."

"For once, I agree with Regina." David says in frustration. He stands up and begins pacing the room. "Stopping her plan is the priority."

"What's troubling, though, is that she was able to cast the curse to bring us all here in the first place." Regina says, disconcerted.

"Why is that?" Emma asks.

"To do it, you have to give up the thing you love most. And from what I gather, Zelena doesn't love much."

"Neither did you. You managed." Emma retorts, which Regina doesn't seem to take well.

"Zelena's smart, strategic." David says, perplexed. "Perhaps we discovered something in the missing year to stop her."

"And then the only way to stop us from interfering was to bring us back here and wipe our memories." Snow continues. "So, if we get our memories back, we might already know how to defeat her."

"We just need to break this curse."

Snow looks at her daughter, relieved. "Well, thank goodness we have a savior."

"I would love to, but there's one problem." Emma says. "Last time, all it took was me believing in magic and kissing Avia awake. Since I've been back, I've done both and nothing."

Regina gasps. "It's the belief." She concludes. "Avia – she needs to believe. In this new life – she doesn't."

Emma scoffs. "She doesn't even want to be here."

"And that's exactly why we need to get her to believe again."

"So, what? We put on a magic show?" Emma asks, cynically.

"How did you believe?" Regina asks.

"The book – the storybook."

"Avia started to believe when she found the missing page of the illustration of us from before we sent her and Emma away." Snow remembers.

"Then that's the key." Regina tells them. "In believing – in remembering."

"Remembering everything." Emma mumbles, unenthused. Snow and David glance at one another, hearing the disappointment in their daughter's voice. "That's not necessarily a gift." Emma adds. "She's been through a lot of tough stuff – before and after both curses."

"And some good stuff." Regina says, narrowing her eyes at the Savior. Emma simply looks away. "Either way, it's our best bet."

"She's right." Snow says softly to her daughter.

Emma looks up at Snow. "I know." She exhales. "Let's find it."

---

On the outskirts of town, a car pulls up to a wooded area where Zelena awaits, dressed in all black, holding a single red rose.

Rumple steps out of the vehicle. "A rose. How lovely."

"Have you earned it?" The witch asks. Rumple opens the trunk of the car and reveals a tied up and gagged Captain Hook inside. "It appears you have." She answers herself, removing Hook's gag.

Hook sighs with annoyance. "We're in Storybrooke. You've never heard of a telephone?"

Zelena chuckles, tracing the rose down Hook's face. "Such pretty lips. They're so wasted. Why haven't you used those luscious lips and kissed Emma?"

"Well, a fella likes to be courted." Hook jokes.

"This isn't a joke." Zelena says, annoyed. "I need to have her magic removed. If Snow's baby is born before your kiss, I'm going to have no other option. I'm going to have to start killing people – people that Emma loves, starting with her sister." She drops the rose on Hook's chest. "Take away her magic, Captain, or the next rose will be for Snow White's little brat's grave." She orders before slamming the trunk closed.

---

Enchanted Forest / The Missing Year...

Robin Hood leads Regina, Snow, David, and Belle into the Dark One's castle. Regina heads towards a large door and prepares to open it.

"Your Majesty, I wouldn't." Robin warns the Queen. Regina rolls her eyes, ignoring him. So, Robin quickly sets up his bow and arrow and shoots one at the door, setting off the magical booby trap.

"That arrow almost took off my head!" Regina shouts furiously at the thief.

"Well, that door almost took off your arm. Where I come from, a simple 'thank you' would suffice."

"Where you come from, people bathe in the river and use pine cones for money." She says, snidely.

"Come on. Let's go." Snow says impatiently. They walk inside the room and are surprised to find Rumplestiltskin working at his spinning wheel, inside a large cage where the Wicked Witch is holding him captive. "Rumplestiltskin."

Rumple giggles. "Rumple Bumple isn't here. Rumple Bumple… gone, my dear."

Regina chuckles, amazed. "He really is back from the dead."

"Dead." Rumple repeats. "Dead. So much better… dead."

"He's lost his mind." David says.

"On the contrary!" The beast blurts out. "Now I have two – two minds! Mining time. Digging deeper in the grime."

Belle shakes her head, upset. "What is she doing to him?"

"Nothing that can't be undone." Snow assures her. "Rumplestiltskin, we need your help. How do we stop Zelena?"

"Round and round, the circle of time, racing towards the finish line." Rumple rhymes.

"This is pointless." Regina says, realizing they aren't going to get anything from him.

"Let me try." Belle walks closer to the cage. "Hey." She places her hand through the cage and he grabs it instinctively. "Hey. Hey." She says, calmly. "I know you're in there. I know you can hear me. How do we stop Zelena?"

After a long pause, Rumple finally answers. "Light." Belle furrows her brows in confusion. "Light. Magic. The good witch of the South – Glinda."

"Glinda." Belle repeats carefully. "But south of what, Oz?"

"No!" Rumple growls. "Banished! Here! The good witch of the South was banished North – North of the Dark Forest."

"How do we find her?" Snow asks, irritably. "Rumplestiltskin, in the Dark Forest, how do we find her!?"

"'Through the door, step inside.'" He chants. "'If pure of heart, then she won't hide.'" He then sneers and continues spinning.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Still inside Emma's bedroom at the inn, David hangs up his cell phone. "Gold's was a dead end." He tells them. "That was Belle. No book in the shop."

"The last place I saw it was in Avia's room." Snow remembers. "But it's not there anymore."

"A book can't just disappear."

Snow laughs lightly, remembering how she found it in the first place. "But it can just appear." She hypothesizes. "The first curse. It just showed up in my closet when I needed it – " She explains. " – or more accurately, when Avia needed it."

"What do you mean?" Emma asks.

"The morning after you arrived in Storybrooke, I could see that Avia was having a tough time accepting that you were there. She was expecting you to leave again, or vice versa." Snow explains to her daughter. "She was awaiting for the worst to happen, and I couldn't bear to watch. I needed Avia to believe that she wasn't going anywhere – that she finally found a home whether or not you stayed. I needed her to believe in a happy ending. I needed her to have hope and that's what the book gave her."

"Well, she needs to believe again." Regina says, firmly. "In fact, I think we all do. What do you say we go check your closet?"

---

Downstairs in the diner, Avia, Nick, and Karley are sitting in a booth. Nick and Karley had just arrived and Avia was telling them about Regina and Robin.

"Full on make-out session in the hall behind the diner." Avia laughs.

Nick and Karley grimace, disgusted. "Do we really need to hear about this?" Nick groans.

"Hey. I had to see it. She's your mom. Why should I be the only one to have that branded in my memory?"

"Gross." Karley scowls. "But that does explain why she left so early this morning."

"Okay." Nick pushes away his cocoa. "I'm going to vomit."

Emma, Regina, Snow, and David walk in from the back. Emma stops at the booth. "Hey, kid. I got to run. I got to check on a lead." She says, kissing Avia on her forehead. "You okay hanging out here?" But Emma gives Avia no time to answer before she walks out the door.

Avia frowns as she stands from the booth. "Avia, where are you going?" Karley asks. But Avia continues to walk out the door, following Emma.

"Come on." Nick groans, knowing that look Avia had.

"Where are you really going?" Avia asks just as Nick and Karley step outside.

Emma turns around, puzzled. "I told you. I'm following a lead."

"What lead?"

"It's my job." Emma reminds her sister. "You know that. And you know it's complicated."

"If this is about the person who killed Neal, when are you going to give it up?" Avia asks, frustrated.

"Avia – " Emma is surprised by Avia's cold demeanor.

"It's been almost three weeks, Emma. If you haven't found his killer yet, you probably won't." Emma hesitates, glancing back at her parents who wanted so desperately to step in but, unfortunately, it's not their place. At least, not while Avia still doesn't have her memories of them. "Unless you already have and this is just some stupid ploy to stay longer." Avia says, sensing that Emma wasn't telling her everything.

"Avia, - " Emma sighs heavily. "I really can't deal with this right now. I'll explain everything once it's all solved."

"No!" Avia shouts, furiously.

Emma arches her brow. "Excuse me?"

"Emma, you've been lying to me ever since we got here. I'm tired of being pawned off on people who I don't even know. Who you've never spoken about until you decided to unexpectedly pull me away from my life in New York! I'm sick of the staring and the whispering! You promised me that you would never put your job first! You promised that it would always be the two of us no matter what! You promised you would never let anyone or anything ever separate us again! But, since being here, it seems you've forgotten about all the promises you made to me! It seems you've forgotten about me completely! So, if I'm going to be forced to stay in this town against my will, then I deserve to know what's going on! I deserve to know everything!"

"No, you don't!" Emma lashes out, surprising everyone. They had never heard Emma raise her voice before, especially not to Avia. And it seemed to surprise Avia as well. "I am your sister! There is a reason you were placed in my care! I don't have to tell you everything, especially not about my job! You are the kid and you need to understand that I know what's best for you! So, you're just gonna have to deal with this for now, okay!? Understood?" Tears well up in Avia's green eyes as she stares coldly into Emma's. "Avia." Emma says, sternly. She bends down, grabbing Avia's arm to get her attention.

Avia immediately pushes Emma away. "If I knew that this was how you would eventually turn out to be, you should have just left me in the system. It's not that different."

Emma stares at her sister, mouth agape, shocked by what she just said. How could being in the system ever be better than being with family? Did Emma really sound that bad? "Avia…"

Emma tries to reach for Avia again, but this time Avia backs away, looking back at her sister with disgust. "No." She says, shaking her head. "I'm done. I won't let you drag me around anymore. So, go. Go do your job… sis." Avia mocks before walking away.

Regina looks at her children, gesturing for them to follow Avia. "We got her." Nick assures Emma as he and Karley follow Avia down the street.

"Emma…" Regina says calmly.

Emma, who is still staring own at the spot Avia left from, finally backs away and turns around. "Let's go." She says passing her parents as she walks away.

---

Nick and Karley follow silently behind Avia who makes her way to Emma's yellow bug which is parked behind the inn.

"Uh. What are you doing?" Karley asks her.

With a determined look upon her face, Avia begins to unlock the car door. "You three going somewhere?" They all jump up and turn around, facing Killian.

Avia lets out a heavy sigh before turning back to the car, attempting to unlock it again. "Nowhere that interests you." Avia says, rudely.

Killian looks quizzically at Nick and Karley. "She got into an argument with Emma." Nick informs him.

"And it's no one's business but mine." Avia successfully unlocks the door and opens it, hopping inside.

Killian grins, amused. "What? You're just going to let her take off?" Nick asks the pirate. "Do something."

Killian sighs, making his way to the door. He knocks on the window twice. Avia rolls her eyes and rolls down the window. "What?" She asks as she grips the steering wheel tightly, staring angrily ahead.

Killian bends down, smirking at the girl. "Boy, you look just like your big sis when you're angry."

"I am nothing like her. Now, let me go."

"You can't run away, Avia." Nick tells her.

Avia rolls her eyes. "This is your home." She points out, firmly. "My home is in New York. I don't belong here."

"So, you're planning on driving all the way back to New York? One lesson and you think you're ready for that?" Killian asks, doubtfully.

"No. I'm going to drive to the nearest bus station. So, go ahead." Avia scowls. "Run and tell Emma. By the time you get to her I'll already be out of here anyway. So, it doesn't matter."

"Seems a bit dangerous."

"And I don't care what you think." Avia smiles sarcastically at the pirate as she starts the engine.

Killian quickly reaches inside and turns off the engine, grabbing the keys away from Avia's reach. "Well, you should – " Avia groans in frustration. " – cause I've got a better way." He smiles. Avia looks at the pirate, intrigued, but she's uncertain if should believe him or not.

"You do?" Nick and Karley ask in unison, surprised by the pirate's offer to help Avia escape.

---

Meanwhile, at the apartment, Snow, David, Emma, and Regina are going through Snow's things, trying to find the storybook. Snow and Emma are searching through the closet while David and Regina are looking through luggage that contains shoe boxes.

"Why do you women keep their shoe boxes?" David wonders.

Snow peeks her head out the closet to answer her husband. "Because after true love, there is no more powerful magic than footwear. It has to be protected." She says in all seriousness.

"Any sign of the book?" Emma asks.

"No. I don't think it's here." David tells them.

"You don't know that." Snow exclaims.

Emma walks out of the closet, carrying a large and heavy wooden chest and places it on the bed. "Maybe it's in this thing." She opens it and begins sifting through the clothes inside. "Some winter coats, some scarves." She looks up at her parents and Regina, defeated. "The book is not in here." She sighs, sitting down on the bed.

"Hang on." Snow walks over. "Let me check."

As her mother sifts through the chest, Emma's eyes widen as Snow takes out the book. "I don't understand."

"Can I see that?" Regina asks, grabbing the book from Snow. "I know there are chapters on Oz in here. I want to know whose heart Zelena crushed to enact this curse. Because if there's something she loved, - " Regina smirks, menacingly. " – that's her weakness."

David follows Regina into the living room to look through the book while Snow, still stunned, sits down next to her daughter. "Did you really not see it in there?"

"You think I'm lying?" Emma asks.

"No, of course not. It's just – " Snow looks desperately at her daughter. "Emma, what is going on? You have been anxious since we left Granny's."

Emma shakes her head slightly, avoiding her mother's worried eyes. "Nothing."

"No, it's not nothing. You yelled at Avia. That's not like you."

"None of this is like me, at least it never used to be."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about Wicked Witches and time-traveling holy wars." Emma says with frustration as she looks up at her mother. "I'd forgotten what it was like here. I don't want that for Avia."

"So, you want to go back to New York – with Avia. You don't want her memories back." Snow says, looking hurt.

"Of course I want Avia to remember you. And if she gets her memories back, I no longer have the choice on how we live our lives. You're our parents. Avia is still a minor. Technically, she's yours again. I can't force her to leave here. But – " Emma sighs. "I just – I just don't want her to remember – "

"To remember what happened before she came here… the first time." Snow says, now understanding Emma's hesitation.

Emma looks up, guilty. "Yeah."

"And that is why you looked relieved when we couldn't find the book."

"But if getting her memories back is the only way to break the curse, then that's what we're gonna do. But I don't want it to be any harder on her than it has to be. Our life in New York was really good."

"I'm sure it was. But it wasn't home."

"It was for us."

"Well, that's because you forgot about us." Snow reminds her. Seeing that she's hurt her mother, Emma brings her head down to her hand, not sure what to say. "Let's go get Avia." Snow says, walking away.

---

Enchanted Forest…

It's night inside the Dark Forest, while Regina, Snow, and David are set out on their quest to find the Glinda. David smiles when he finds a snowbell. He picks it and hands it to his wife, neither one missing the look Regina is giving the delighted couple.

"What?" Snow asks.

"We're at the edge of the Dark Forest trying to find the one person who can stop our imminent doom and save your unborn child." Regina reminds them. "And you two stop to smell the roses?"

"Snowbells." Snow points out, earning an amused grin from her husband.

"I don't care if they're dancing daffodils." Regina glares. "I need to destroy my sister, and so do you. And if that babbling mad man sent us on a wild goose chase, I swear I'll – " Regina's attention is suddenly caught off-guard by the sight of a door standing in the middle of a clearing. "What's that supposed to be?"

"Well, it appears to be a door – " David says, sarcastically. They walk closer and David looks around it and sees that it leads nowhere.

Snow smiles, thinking about Rumple's riddle. "'Through the door, step inside. If pure of heart, then she won't hide.' It's Rumple's riddle. It's Glinda." And without any hesitation, Snow walks over to the door and opens it, stepping inside.

"Snow!" David sighs heavily before following his wife.

Regina scoffs. "A portal with a cheap cloaking spell." Regina walks through the door, but she finds herself on the other side, not the magical protected space. Irritated, Regina stomps back through door, slamming it close.

---

Meanwhile, Snow and David find themselves in a snowy clearing.

"I thought she was supposed to be the Good Witch of the South." Snow comments.

The witch suddenly magically appears. "I was." She says, grabbing their attention. "Before I was banished here."

"Where's Regina?" David asks.

"I'm afraid your traveling companion has a heart heavy with vengeance. Only a good witch may pass through my door." Glinda explains.

"I'm not a witch. My name is – "

"I know who you are." Glinda interrupts Snow. "I've heard many tales of your bravery, and now you hold not one pure heart, but two. I sense powerful magic there."

"That's why we're here." Snow tells her.

"We were told your light magic could help defeat the Wicked Witch." David recounts. "We've come to ask for your help."

"I'm sorry." Glinda says, regretfully. "My magic is not powerful enough to defeat Zelena. It never has been."

"You know her."

"We were friends long ago, when things were different. But she made her choice. She gave in to her dark magic. I tried to stop her. I failed."

Snow shakes her head, unwilling to give up. "There must some way to defeat her."

"There is. She was born with great power. Long ago, I gave her a pendant to help focus it." Glinda explains carefully. "Her magic has resided inside of it ever since."

"So, if we can remove it, she'll lose her power, and we can defeat her?" David wonders.

"Yes, but only a purveyor of the strongest light magic will be able to accomplish such a feat."

"Light magic." Snow repeats.

Glinda nods. "Magic created from love."

"Emma. Our daughter. She's the Savior."

"If she is as pure and powerful as you say, then yes. She, and only she, can defeat Zelena."

"But she's not in this land." David says. "She and our other daughter are in another land together. We can't get back to them."

"You have another daughter?" Glinda asks slowly.

David and Snow nod. "Yes." David confirms. "She is also the product of true love."

Snow can see the worry suddenly appear onto Glinda's face. "What? What is it?"

Glinda sighs. "Well, I'm afraid your quest is futile. Your daughters' may be the only way of saving you and your kingdom."

"Actually, there is a way." Snow says, closing her eyes as she thinks about the dreadful idea, earning a concern look to wash over her husband's face. David watches his wife carefully, hoping she's not about to say what he is thinking. "But there's a steep price. We must enact the Dark Curse."

---

After their encounter with Glinda, Snow and David meet back with Regina and had just finished telling her what they must do to defeat Zelena.

"Are you out of your minds?" Regina exclaims. "Even if I believe this Glinda, which I don't, to cast a Dark Curse, I'd have to destroy the heart of the thing I love most, and I am not willing to rip the hearts out of my children, thank you very much."

"There has to be another way to enact it." Snow says, desperately.

"If there were, do you think I would have killed my own father?"

"What about a magic bean?" David suggests. "If we had one, we could open a portal, or Jefferson's hat."

"There are no more portals." Regina scowls. "Not for us – not for anyone the curse brought back. When I undid the first curse to escape Pan to bring us here, it divided our realms. It placed a wall between them."

"So, the Dark Curse is the only way."

"Haven't you been listening? I can't cast it!"

"But someone else can." David turns to Snow.

"Who?" Snow asks.

"You. It's the only way. You can use my heart to cast the curse." He says, shocking both women. "We have to think of our child."

"Our child needs you." Snow tells him, astonished by her husband's suggestion. "I need you. We'll find another way. We always find another way."

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Snow, David, and Regina are sitting inside the diner when Emma rushes in.

"She's gone." She tells them.

"What do you mean, 'gone'?" Regina asks.

"I mean, she's not in the room, she's not in the parlor, and my keys are gone – my car keys." Emma panics as she takes out her cell phone.

"Okay. Hold on." Snow says, calmly, though she was panicking on the inside. "She was with Nick and Karley."

Regina takes out her cell phone and dials her son's number. It rings for awhile before she gives up. "He's not answering either. Give me something of Avia's. I can try a locator spell."

"I'm way ahead of you." Emma says, looking down at her phone. "I've got GPS on her phone. She's at the docks!"

---

At the docks, Killian is standing with Mr. Smee introducing him to Avia as Nick and Karley stand beside her.

"Avia, this is a friend of mine, Mr. Smee."

Avia chuckles. "Like from 'Peter Pan'?"

Mr. Smee is taken aback. "You remember?"

"I used to watch the movie all the time when I was little."

"It's quite a common name in the seafaring world." Killian dismisses as a coincidence. "And as luck would have it, he's making sail to New York and would be happy for the company."

"I am?" Mr. Smee asks, confused.

"He is?" Nick asks.

Killian gives Mr. Smee a hard glare. "I mean, I am." He says, confidently.

"Really?" Avia says, unconvinced. "And where's your boat?"

Mr. Smee turns around and points to a random boat. "There she is."

"You're stealing it, right?"

"You want to go to New York or not?" Killian asks.

Avia looks curiously up at Killian. "Why are you helping me?" Killian hesitates, unsure of what to say. Avia shakes her head. "Actually, it's okay. I don't need to know. Just as long as I get back home." She turns to Nick and Karley. "You guys wanna finally get out of this town and come with?"

"Uh…" Karley and Nick share a look. They were hoping their mom and Emma would have figured out they were missing by now and would have found them already. But it seemed that Avia was actually going to get away with it. "Well, we probably shouldn't let you go off on your own." Nick shrugs.

Karley's eyes widen, surprised that her brother was actually considering it. "Wait. Are you serious? Nick, you know – "

But she is cut off by the sound of flapping in the distance. All of them, except for Avia, look around in fear. "Mr. Smee, we need to get the lads to the boathouse." Killian insists.

"Why? What's going on?" Avia turns around and sees something large flying towards them in distance. "What is that?"

"Let's go!" Nick shouts.

As the flying monkey approaches them, Killian grabs Avia and takes off with her towards the boathouse with Mr. Smee, Nick, and Karley following close behind. Once they are inside, Mr. Smee shuts and locks the door behind them. "What now, Captain!?"

"Take the children there – far exit." Killian points. "Find a new boat. I'll stay here to deal with our winged friends."

"Come on, Avia!" Nick shouts.

Shaking with fear, Avia follows Nick and Karley as they run after Mr. Smee. Two flying monkeys fly inside the building and Killian shoots two, killing them. As they continue to run, Avia looks behind her and sees another monkey flying towards her. She gasps with wide eyes and freezes in place as the monkey gets closer.

Nick and Karley turn around to see their friend about to be taken. "Avia!"

"No!" Killian points his gun at the monkey and goes to shoot, but it seems he's out of ammo.

But as the monkey reaches for Avia, a shot is fired. Avia looks up to see her sister running towards them, her gun pointed to the monkey who reappears. David runs up and throws his sword at the monkey, killing it. As another monkey flies in, Regina forms a fireball and throws it at the money, killing it. One by one, every monkey that flies inside is either hit with a fireball or a bullet until it finally seems that they are safe.

"Mom!" Nick shouts as he and Karley run into Regina's awaiting arms.

Emma rushes over to Avia who is looking back at her with wide fearful eyes. "Avia, are you okay?"

"What was that?" Avia exclaims. "What were those things!?" Avia sees David place his sword back in his sheath. "And why does he have a sword!? What's going on!?"

Emma grabs the book from Snow and turns back to Avia. "It's all gonna make sense in a minute." She assures her sister. "I promise."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry I was keeping things from you, Avia. You were right." Emma tries to hand Avia the storybook. "You deserve to know the truth."

Avia scowls down at the book. "About fairytales? Have you gone insane, Emma? What is this?! Where did you bring me!?"

"Do you trust me?" Emma asks.

Though she remembers everything she said to Emma, how could she not trust her sister? "You bug me." Avia glares. "But, yes, of course I trust you."

Emma grins. "Then I need you to believe."

Avia looks around at the desperate eyes looking back at her. David takes his tearful wife's hand as they stare at their daughter. "Believe in what?" Avia asks, looking back at Emma in confusion.

"Believe in magic."

Avia scoffs, amused. "From a book?"

"It's more than just a book. Do you believe in me?"

Avia looks into her sister's eyes and can see the seriousness inside of them. "Yes."

Emma opens the book to the illustration of herself as a child with her parents in the Enchanted Forest, looking down at the newborn baby, Avia, being held in Snow White's arms. Avia looks quizzically at the picture. "Then take it."

Avia slowly reaches her hand over the book and as soon as her fingers trace the page all of her old memories are restored, rushing back into her head. She remembers the first day she came to Storybrooke and the day Emma followed. She remembers all the moments in between before finally finding her parents, Snow White and Prince Charming. She remembers her time in Neverland and the day she and Emma had to leave everyone once again. And she also remembers the moments before she found her parents – the moments inside old foster homes.

"Emma?" Avia whispers, shocked.

Emma smiles. "You remember?"

Avia crashes into Emma, wrapping her arms around her sister's waist. Emma sighs heavily, wrapping her arms around her sister. "I remember." Avia cries softly. Avia pulls away, looking up at Emma with tears streaming down her face. She smiles, slowly looking behind Emma, just hoping this isn't all just a dream. She sees her parents looking back at her with their own tears. "Mom." Avia sobs. "Dad." She runs straight into their awaiting arms, letting her father pick her up and spin her around with happiness. He sets Avia down, keeping hold of her as she buries herself into her mother, not yet aware of the pregnant belly Snow is carrying.

"Oh, baby." Snow squeezes her daughter close. "I missed you so much."

Emma watches as her parents pull away from Avia, smiling with tears and happiness as they stare lovingly at their daughter. As happy as she is that Avia remembers Snow and David, she fears for what is next once everything has settled down. Emma walks up, letting David bring his arm around her. They're finally a family…again.

"Do it, Emma." Regina urges as she holds Nick and Karley close. "Break the curse."

Avia looks curiously at her sister. Emma exhales as she leans forward, attempting to kiss her sister's forehead. But before they are able to touch, Avia suddenly disappears in a cloud of green smoke. "I'm so sorry to interrupt." They turn to find Zelena holding Avia. "Now, who wants to say goodbye first?"

Avia glares up at the witch. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!" She shouts, trying to free herself from the wicked witch.

Zelena smirks. "You didn't seem to have trouble trusting me during our time in the woods." A knife magically appears in her hand. "Now, say goodbye…" She bends down, close to Avia's ear. "…Orphan."

"No!" Snow screams, attempting to run for her daughter, but David holds her back before drawing his sword.

"Enough of this." Regina exclaims furiously. She gently pushes Nick and Karley behind her before she walks towards Zelena and Avia, holding out her hands. But Zelena pushes Regina down with her own magic.

"Mom!" Nick and Karley shout as they help Regina up.

"Let her go." Emma demands. "She had nothing to do with this."

"Oh, on the contrary." Zelena wickedly smirks. "She has everything to do with this. But I was going to hold off until – " She looks at Snow, who immediately covers her pregnant belly. " – But your pirate failed me."

"Damn you, Zelena." Killian hisses, confusing Emma.

"Hook, what's she talking about?" Emma asks.

"He knew what the price of that failure was – your sister's life." Zelena begins to choke Avia.

"Emma." Avia gasps.

Emma begins to focus on her magic, needing to find any way to save her sister. A bright light shines starts to shine down on Zelena, burning her, causing her to let go of Zelena. "Run!" Emma shouts to Avia who immediately runs into her sister's arms.

Zelena groans, infuriated. "Enjoy this moment together, 'cause you don't have many left!" Zelena vanishes in a cloud of smoke.

Emma pulls Avia away, checking her over. "Avia, are you okay?"

Avia nods. "Yeah." She says, slightly shocked. She looks at her parents and runs into their awaiting arms. Avia finally notices her mother's pregnant belly and steps back, flabbergasted.

---

Enchanted Forest…

Regina, Snow, and David are looking over a large tub of boiling water.

"It's ready." Regina says.

"No." Snow says, upset. "There has to be another way to get to Emma and Avia."

Regina shakes her head, sympathetically. "There isn't. You know if there were, we'd have gone back by now. This is it. This…" She looks at David. "…sacrifice."

David takes his wife's shaking hand. "Snow, we have to do this. You have to do this."

"I can't." Snow refuses. "I can't crush your heart. I can't lose you."

"You could never lose me. But this is our only chance. Think of our baby. Think of our daughters. Think of being a mother."

"Our baby will never know its father." Snow exclaims severely.

"Of course it will." David says in awe. "Through you. We have always shared one heart. It'll only grow stronger when you look into our children's faces." A lone tear falls from Snow's eyes as she stares intensely at her husband. "And see the love I have for you in their eyes."

Snow reaches up and cups David's face. "I've loved you since the first moment I saw you."

"And I'll love you until my last."

The two embrace with a kiss as Regina stands nearby seemingly upset by what is happening. Nick and Karley then run into the room, looking confused. "What's going on?" Nick asks.

Regina quickly wipes away her tears as her children approach. Once David pulls away from Snow, he looks back at Regina. "Do it."

"Do what?" Karley asks.

Regina smiles softly at her two confused kids. "We're going back Storybrooke." She walks closer to David and thrusts her hand into the prince's chest, ripping his heart out.

"Charming?" Snow meekly calls out.

"Don't say goodbye." David whispers.

"I love you. I love you more than anything."

David smiles proudly at his wife. "Which is why you have to crush it."

Regina lifts Snow's hand and places David's heart into it. Regina stands back, wrapping her arms around Karley and Nick who are standing utterly confused by what's going on.

They watch as Snow lifts her hand over the boiling pot and while looking at her husband, she crushes his heart. Once David falls to the floor, dead, Snow rushes to his side and hugs him mournfully. "This won't be in vain." Regina assures Snow. "We will get back to Storybrooke. We will defeat – " But Regina is cut off by the sound of thunder and wind. They turn to see the Wicked Witch flying in on her broom. She drops a green powder into the Dark Curse pot. " – Zelena." Regina hisses furiously, pushing her children behind her as the witch lands.

"Did you really think you could enact Rumple's Dark Curse and I wouldn't know about it?" Zelena asks.

"No, but I didn't really care. You're too late."

"Actually, I'm not." She turns to Snow who is still hovering over David. "I'm afraid you sacrificed your charming husband for nothing."

"Regina, he can't die in vain." Snow says desperately.

"She's bluffing." Regina assures her. "Once the curse is enacted, it can't be stopped."

"I may not be able to stop it, but that doesn't mean I can't spice it up a bit." Zelena says, amused. "How does a forgetting potion sound?" Smoke of the Dark Curse begins to rise out of the pot, sparkling with green lightening. "Mm, sorry. Did you need your memories in the new land? Were you planning to stop me or, for that matter, recognize me?"

"We'll find a way." Snow says, angrily.

"Without knowing any of this, I doubt it. You'll be too busy looking for your husband. You won't even know about his sacrifice. Just endlessly wondering where he could be, always fearing the worst. Pay attention, sis." Zelena sneers at Regina. "This is how you take away a happy ending."

Regina scowls at the witch as she flies away on her broomstick. She watches sadly as Snow drops her head down onto David's chest.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Avia continues to stare at her mother's pregnant belly until Snow gently cups her daughter's face, gently forcing Avia to look at her. As tears fall from both of their eyes, Snow smiles softly before leaning close and planting a loving kiss onto her daughter's forehead. Suddenly, a blast of light magic emits from this kiss, shooting all around Storybrooke.

The Dark Curse is broken.

They all stumble back at bit, shocked by what just happened. Snow and David look at each other and embrace in a hug immediately, bringing their daughters in with them.

"It wasn't me." Emma says to her mother. "It was you." She then turns to Regina. "Did it work? Do you remember the missing year?"

"Yes." Regina looks at Snow and David.

"How did Zelena cast the curse?"

Snow shakes her head at her daughter. "She didn't, Emma. We did."

Avia and Emma are confused by this. "You cursed yourselves?" Avia asks.

"Zelena's weakness is light magic." Snow smiles. "I mean, it's clear now, more than ever." She looks at Emma. "You are the only one who can defeat her."

"That's why we paid the price of Regina's curse." David adds.

"The price of the curse is the heart of the thing you love most." Emma points out, looking even more confused. "If one of you cast it, how are you both still here?"

---

Enchanted Forest…

"Mom, you have to do something!" Nick urges Regina as they continue to watch Snow and David. "You have to fix this."

"I can't!" Regina exclaims. "It's done! We've failed!"

Snow stands up, having an idea. "No. Regina, I need you to rip out my heart. Charming's right. We have been of one heart since the day he woke me from the sleeping curse. If you split my heart in half, we can both survive!"

"Snow." Regina frowns. "I know your love is strong, but this isn't like plucking a flower. How do you know it will work?"

"Faith!" Snow exclaims. "Belief! I believe! I believe my heart is strong enough for the both of us!"

"But if you're wrong, you'll die."

"Please." Snow begs. "Please, Regina. Do it."

"Do it, Mom." Nick pleads.

"We have to defeat Zelena." Karley adds.

"And Avia needs both her parents."

Regina looks longingly at her kids, contemplating, before she walks closer to Snow. Snow puts her hand onto Regina's shoulder, waiting for Regina to comply. Regina exhales heavily, giving in, and thrusts her hand into a smiling Snow's chest, ripping her heart out.

Once it is out, Snow lays down next to her dead husband and waits as Regina splits the heart in two. Regina looks up at her children who give her encouraging nods. She swiftly twists the heart in two and then simultaneously pushes a half into each person. Snow sits up and waits over David's lifeless body, but nothing seems to happen. Regina quickly moves away to Nick and Karley giving the couple space.

As they start to assume that they failed, David suddenly awakens, gasping for air. "Snow." David says, disorientated. "Snow, what's happening?"

"You're okay." Snow laughs happily. "We're both okay."

Nick and Karley smile up at Regina as she pulls them in close while the couple kiss. But as they do, the Dark Curse begins to thunder louder and louder and they all watch as the smoke begins to spread, cursing the kingdom once more.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

While Avia is catching up Nick and Karley, Emma approaches Killian.

"Are you gonna tell me what Zelena was talking about?" She asks sternly. "She said you failed her."

"Don't listen to her." Killian says, uncomfortably.

"Killian, what's going on? Were you working for her?"

"The witch tried to back me into a corner. I did everything I could to resist her plans."

"So, whose idea was it to kidnap Avia and stick her on a boat?" Emma asks angrily.

Killian looks down, guilty. "It was mine. I was trying to save her."

"From what? What is she doing?"

"She cursed me. My lips, actually." He clarifies.

"Your lips?" Emma questions. "Why?"

"She wants to steal your magic, making it impossible to save your sister – the town. She thought I was the best way of doing it." Emma looks surprised by this. "She knows what we all know – that you can defeat her."

"It should have been my decision to protect Avia. Whether she forced your hand or not, it doesn't matter. I can't trust you now. How can I?"

"She's right not to." David says, sternly, as he and Snow walk up. "He's lied about more than just this."

"You said you brought Emma to Storybrooke because you received a message from us with a memory potion." Snow states.

"Aye, what of it?" Killian asks, perplexed.

"We didn't send you any message." David exclaims firmly.

"Well, I got one!" Killian argues. "It's the truth! Someone bloody well sent me the message! Who else would have an antidote? Who else would know where to find the Savior?"

---

Enchanted Forest / The Missing Year...

Inside the Dark One's castle, Rumple is giggling from inside his cage while Zelena is creating a potion.

"Wolf's blood, dragon's scale." Rumple comments, watching from behind. "I've tasted this brew before."

"We're about to take an unplanned trip, my pet." Zelena informs the imp as she holds up two vials filled with the potion. "The curse is coming." She walks over to Rumple's cage.

"You failed, you failed." He mocks. "You failed, you failed, you failed, you failed, you failed, you fa – "

"Don't be so dour." She says, opening his cage. "What I need to do can be done from any land. I will succeed in changing the past. My spell will work."

"But only if you remember it."

"Which I will – " Zelena holds one of the vials up, showing Rumple. " – with this. To keep my valuable recollections safe and sound." She drinks the potion and hands the other to him. "Here. Drink it, dump it out, sing it a song. Your brains are still mine. If you want to remember the loss of your son, so be it, but if you'd prefer to stumble about blind and stupid with the rest of them, be my guest." She kisses his hand before letting out a wicked giggle as she walks out of the room, leaving Rumple to decide.

Rumple steps out of the cage, looking down at the potion. "Memories are pain. Pain is strength." He pops open the top. "For vengeance." He starts to move the bottle to his mouth, but before he can drink it he slams against the wall in pain. His face begins to merge with Neal's and then suddenly, Neal emerges from his father's body in a glow of light.

Neal stands, holding the vial as Rumple collapse to the floor, unconscious. "We don't need to remember. Emma does." He moves towards the table, ripping a piece of cloth off his sleeve and writing a note on it. He tiredly makes his way to the open window and whistles, getting the attention of a dove. Neal attaches the note and vial to the dove's leg. "Find Killian Jones on the Jolly Roger. Find Captain Hook." He throws the bird into flight. "Go!" He then falls down onto his father's body, merging once again with him.

Rumple awakens, looking around, puzzled.

---

Storybrooke / Present…

Emma and Avia are standing by Neal's gravestone at the graveyard as Snow and David watch from the distance.

"I'm really sorry for everything I said about him." Avia says, sadly.

Emma squeezes Avia's shoulders, reassuringly. "You didn't know, Avs. Neal knows you forgive him."

Avia nods. "I hope so. I didn't know it before, but he really was a hero."

"He was." Emma agrees. "He didn't give a second thought to sacrificing himself for you – "

"For us." Avia smiles. She glances behind at Snow and David. "Was it hard coming back to Storybrooke after everything we had been through before?" She wonders. "I mean, life in New York was pretty good."

Emma smiles. "It was better than good, but I had this voice stuck in my head that I couldn't shake."

"Whose?"

Emma runs her hand tenderly down Avia's head. "Yours. I knew how you would have voted on this."

Avia sighs. "They're our parents, Emma." She glances again back at Snow and David. "And it looks like we're going to have another one of us soon." She says, speaking about their sibling that's growing inside Snow's belly.

"Uh, yeah. How are you feeling about that?"

Avia shrugs. "I don't know. I'm still registering it, I guess."

"Yeah." Emma nods, understanding. "I haven't really had time to process it either."

Suddenly, Snow lets out a scream, clenching her belly. Emma and Avia turn around, startled. "Mom!?" Avia exclaims as she and Emma run over to their parents.

"Hey. Breathe." David coaches calmly. "Deep breaths. Take deep breaths. I'll get the truck."

"Are you okay?" Emma asks, taking her father's place.

"It's the baby." Snow tells her worried daughters. "It's coming."