I know it's been awhile, but here's another update! I hope at least a few of you are still with me! If you are, please review, because those are always encouraging and get me excited to write! :)


Cruella De Vil is speeding down the Underworld's road, sitting happily with Nick in the passenger seat.

"Can you please slow down?" Nick begs.

"Darling, you wouldn't be here if you didn't like a little danger." She tells him as he rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "I mean, look at you - sneaking away from your family to bring me back to life. Such a naughty boy." She chuckles.

"I just want to find the pen and get this over with. What am I even looking for?"

"A sign, signal, whiff of ink. Look, you're the Author." Cruella reminds him. "You're connected to that quill."

Suddenly, a bright light shines over Nick's face. "Stop! I saw something." He says, looking into the distance of the forest.

Cruella slams on her brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt.


"Well, there's no pen here - " Cruella complains as they walk through the forest. " - just dirt and things that smell like dirt."

"I swear I saw it." Nick insists.

"Well, then, move those little legs of yours and keep looking. Go!" She waves him away.

Nick walks away from Cruella, on the search of the pen. As he walks further along, suddenly a hand reaches out and grabs his shoulder from behind. Nick turns around and is face - to - face with someone he never thought he'd ever see again. "Dad?!" He gasps.

Michael quickly pushes Nick behind the tree, shushing him. "Quiet, son. We don't have much time." He says, looking around before looking back at his stunned son. He lets out a sigh and smiles softly at his boy. "Hi, son."

"Dad!" Nick wraps his arms around his father, hugging him close, as Michael does the same. "I - I don't understand." Nick pulls away, still surprised to see his father. "W-What are you doing here? What unfinished business could you possibly have?"

Michael takes a moment, grinning at his son. "You, my boy. And, of course, your sister. But, first, I have to prevent you from making a terrible mistake. You can't resurrect Cruella De Vil, Nick."

"How do you even know about that? How do you know about the pen?"

"I know a lot, son. Also, I met with your friend, the Apprentice. He was here for just a short time, but he found me."

"So the pen can bring someone back." Nick says, surprised. "The Apprentice told me it couldn't."

"And he was right. But, down here, the rules are a little more flexible." Michael explains. "He didn't want you to do something like, perhaps, bring me back."

"But, Dad, if I can bring you back down here, why not? We can be a family again."

Michael smiles softly. "You already have a family, Nick. I was wrong about Regina. She can change. She did change. And she is your family now."

Nick sighs, sadly, at this before furrowing his brows at his father. "Fine. But I wasn't getting the pen back for Cruella anyway. I'm getting it for me. I just watched my best friend and her sister become the Dark Ones. I watched Avia die, and I couldn't do anything about it."

Michael nods, understanding. "That had to be hard to watch. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Nick. But you are the Author now. You are only supposed to record the stories, not create them."

"I don't care about the stupid stories anymore, Dad." Nick argues. "I didn't know I was the Author back then, so I couldn't save you. But I knew when Avia was about to die and I couldn't fix it. I couldn't fix her, or Emma, becoming the Dark Ones. I'm sick of everyone in my life getting hurt, and I can't do anything to help them. I want to be a hero. I want to help my family and friends even if it means helping Cruella."

"You're already a hero, son." He caresses Nick's cheek, lovingly, before letting out a heavy sigh. "The Apprentice revealed to me that in the Sorcerer's mansion lies all his great works of light magic, the quill included. It's protected by a powerful spell, but the sheriff took the key from me. If we can get that key, Nick, we can get the quill."

Nick seems confused by this. "Wait, what? You're - You're going to help me?"

"This is your choice, Nick, and the only way I can move on is if you make the right one. Underworld, or not, we're connected."


At the Underworld's version of the apartment, Avia is sitting on the bed upstairs when Emma walks in, sitting next to her.

"Let me take a look at you." She says, looking around at her sister's cuts and bruises. Emma gently runs her fingers over Avia's cheek, causing her to flinch.

Avia sighs, unable to look at Emma. "I'd rather take another beating from a foster home, than have to go through this again." She admits.

Emma scowls. "Avia, don't say that." Avia frowns, looking away. "Hey. Let me see." Emma gently moves Avia back towards her before waving her hand over Avia's face, healing her wounds with her magic. Avia lets out a breath, finally able to release her hold around her stomach. "Did you lose your magic?" Emma wonders.

Avia shrugs. "I don't know. Hades must have took it away somehow, or he's blocking it." Avia sighs. "I don't know." She stands up and walks in front of the mirror that is hanging on the wall, looking herself over. "You shouldn't have come here, Emma."

"Hey, stop." Emma says, sternly. "I was not going to leave you in the Underworld."

Avia turns to Emma. "Yeah, but now you, Mom, and Regina are stuck here." She exclaims. "And it's all my fault. If I would have just - "

Emma quickly stands and walks over to Avia, taking her hands. "No. You will not blame yourself for this."

"Why not?" Avia argues. "Emma, you were the Dark One for six weeks and only gave in to the darkness to save me. As soon as I got my memories back, I didn't even give revenge a second thought. I almost killed Mom and Dad. You. My friends." Avia cries. "How could they possibly want to save me from this place, when this is exactly where I deserve to be."

"No!" Emma exclaims. "No, Avia! In the end, you realized what - who, is important. You put your family and friends first and sacrificed yourself for them. Mom couldn't even get out of your bed before I decided for us to come here. She was the first to agree. Now, does that sound like parents who are willing to give up on their child, even if she wanted to hurt them? They love you, Avia. They will fight for you, even when you can't fight for yourself. They know your heart - I know your heart. And I knew from the moment you realized the darkness was inside of you, that you did not want to hurt anyone. That was the darkness inside your head manipulating you. If we didn't believe that, do you really believe we would have come all the way down here to save you?"

Suddenly, a knock from downstairs gets their attention. As Emma and Avia slowly descend from the stairs, Snow opens the front door and is surprised to see a man standing behind it. "Uh, hi." She says, perplexed. "Can we help you?"

"Ah, yes. I was just looking for - "

"Liam?" They all turn to look at Killian, who is standing, shocked to see his brother.

"Killian." Liam says. Snow steps aside, allowing Liam to walk in.

"Liam? Your brother?" Emma questions Killian.

"So the rumors are true." Liam says, approaching his brother. "After all these years, my little brother is finally here."


Snow and David decided to give them some time together to catch up, and so they left with Avia, leaving Emma alone with Killian and Liam.

The three of them are sitting around the kitchen table. "Liam, what about you?" Killian wonders. "Why are you down here?"

"I wish I knew." Liam says. "I spent countless years trying to figure out a reason."

"There is no reason. Hades has the game rigged so no one can leave." Killian looks at Emma. "My brother's proof of that. Never did a bad thing in his life." Liam smiles, bashful by his brother's compliment. "He even died nobly, stopping a treacherous king from poisoning the realm."

"Stop it. You're making me blush." Liam teases.

"Hades has you two trapped down here, and that cannot stand. The only way everyone will get free is if we defeat Hades once and for all." Killian says, determined. "Liam, you've been down here a very long time. Surely you must know something that can help us."

"I know this is a very dangerous game you're playing. There are those who tried to overthrow Hades before. They always spoke of a - a book - " Liam says, intriguing Emma. " - which had the power to defeat him. I tried to find it myself, but I'm not even sure what to look for."

"I think it's a Storybook." Emma realizes, looking at Killian.

"Storybook?" Liam questions. "Oh, I wager it would take more than stories."

"No, no, no. She's onto something." Killian says. "In our world, there's a book like this."

"Everything up there has a version down here." Emma explains. "There has to be one in the Underworld."

"If there's a story in that book about Hades, we can learn his weakness and exploit it."

"Alright. If you believe in this, Killian, - " Liam says, seeing how strongly his brother feels about this. " - I'm with you to the end. This fiend trapped us here. The day you push your sailor too far - "

"Is the day the mutiny begins." Killian finishes.


Later at the apartment, David lays a box from Snow's closet down on the counter.

"In the world above, this is where I found the Storybook." Snow explains. She opens the box and begins to rummage through it, but to everyone's disappointment, the book is no where to be found. "Sorry."

"Are we really surprised?" Regina asks. "That book is the embodiment of hope, and there's not a lot of that here in the Underworld."

"Let's keep looking." David insists. They all go their separate ways to search the apartment for the book.


Upstairs, Emma is going through some cupboards when Liam pops his head in.

"Emma, can we talk?" He asks.

Emma sighs. "Is this like a protective big brother talk where you want to make sure I'm good enough for Killian?" She jokes.

"No, because I already know you're not good enough." Liam admits, shocking her.

"What?"

"Killian is here because of you. And we both know if you can't leave, he won't either. Killian's been fighting darkness his entire life, and you bringing him here is like pushing him off a cliff."

"Killian is a big boy. He didn't have to come if he didn't want to." Emma defends herself. "I'm down here risking everything to save us all, so that we can finally have a life together."

"And is that really what he needs, or what you need?"

"Were you this self-righteous when you were alive?" Emma asks.

"When it came to my brother, yes." Liam confirms. "If Killian defeats Hades today, he'll finally feel like the hero he deserves to be, and will be able to move on with his life. And when that happens, stop thinking about your own desires and let him go. I see what's important in your life, and it's not Killian."

With that, Liam walks away, leaving Emma speechless.


Inside Snow's closet, Avia and Karley are searching through the boxes stored inside.

Karley glances at her friend. "I'm glad you're back, Avia."

Avia sighs, smiling softly at her friend. "I'm sorry I almost killed you."

Karley chuckles. "We wouldn't be friends if one of us didn't try to kill the other." She teases. "I'm just sorry you had to go through all that - all that - "

"Darkness?" Avia finishes. Karley nods, somberly. "I guess I didn't realize how much anger I still had buried inside of me."

"Have you talked to your parents yet?" Karley wonders. "Like really talk to them?"

Avia looks behind her at her mom and dad who are searching through the dresser drawers in the bedroom. She shakes her head, sadly. "I don't know what to say to them. I wanted to hurt them like they hurt me. How can anyone look past that?"

"Because they love you, Avia. We all do. That's how we can look past that."

Avia smiles, slightly, nodding, but still feeling unsure inside.


In the living room, Killian empties a backpack, but has no luck. Liam and Emma come down the stairs, walking right past his brother.

"You alright?" Killian asks Emma, seeing the sobering look upon her face.

"Yeah. Fine." Emma lies. "Let's keep looking."

Avia and Karley walk back into the kitchen with Snow and David just as Nick walks into the apartment. "Hey. What's going on?" He asks.

"Looking for the Storybook, you know, 'Underworld Edition.'" Snow tells him.

"And it's not in the closet." Karley tells them.

"Really?" Nick asks, surprised by this. "Well, I think I might know exactly where it is."

Karley furrows her brows at her brother. "And how would you know that?"

Nick takes a moment, looking at his sister. "Dad."

"Dad?" Karley questions, confused. "Wait. Dad's here? In the Underworld?"

"I saw him at - at Granny's. He said the Sorcerer's mansion is down here and there's a bunch of his stuff inside, like the Storybook."

"Finally, some good news." Regina says, relieved.

"Well, sort of. The house is locked with magic, and the sheriff has the key."

"Your evil twin is the sheriff?" Killian asks David. "Hades has panache, I'll give him that."

"Well, it's time for my brother and me to have an overdue chat." David says, determined.

"Well, you won't be alone." Snow assures her husband. "I still owe him a punch in his pretty mouth for kissing me."

David grimaces in disgusts, along with his daughter, Avia. "He kissed you?" They both exclaim.

"Thought it was you." Snow dismisses, heading towards the door.

"Let's go." David scowls, eagerly following his wife.

Emma nods to Avia to follow their parents. "I guess I'm going with them." Avia huffs, following her father.

"In the meanwhile, we should all go about our usual business." Liam says. "Hades has eyes everywhere. We can't have him learning what we're up to."

"Fine plan." Killian agrees. "Can't wait to see the look on his face when he learns a valuable lesson - one should never mess with the Brothers Jones."

As the brothers and Emma walk out, Karley walks up to her brother. "So, you saw Dad. How - Why - " She sighs, heavily, finding this all too surreal.

"Why is he still here?" Nick assumes is her question. Karley nods. Nick glances at Regina, who is standing nearby, watching them. "He said that we're his unfinished business."

Karley raises her brows, surprised by this. "He can't move on because of us?"

Nick nods. "He wants to see us again. He wants to help get us out of here."

Regina knows she can't lose her children, who she has called her own - Nick, fifteen years, and Karley, the last three years, to someone who is dead. That was ridiculous. But she also couldn't help the jealousy rising inside of her. What her mother did to Michael was despicable. Nick and Karley weren't even able to give their father one last goodbye. And she couldn't keep them from doing that now. She was able to help her own father move on. What kind of mother would she be if she didn't allow her children to help their father move on?


At the Underworld's version of the bar The Rabbit Hole, Liam is wiping down glasses, keeping up with his job as bartender when Hades walks in.

"Wow." He says, causing Liam to turn around to face him. "Even for the Underworld, it is dead in here."

Liam looks on with annoyance, slinging the cloth he was wiping the glasses with over his shoulder. "Can I help you?" He unwillingly asks. "If you want a drink, I can make you anything."

"That's okay." Hades grins. "I can help myself." With his magic he makes two glasses of scotch appear on the bar. "This Scotch is a few centuries old. I think it's aged quite well. The key is to store it underground. Here." Using his magic, his moves one of the glasses towards Liam. "Try some." Liam cautiously takes the glass and drinks the scotch, along with Hades. "It's good, right? See, I'm not such a bad guy. But here you are, trying to stage some kind of a - What's that quaint nautical term you keep using?" Hades asks, amused. "A - " He snaps his fingers, remembering. " - that's right - mutiny."

Liam crosses his arms, disappointed. "So, you found us out."

"Well, like you said, I have eyes everywhere. What I don't have is that Storybook."

"And what do you want from me?"

"Not much. I don't even really care about that book, except for a few select pages - the ones about me." Hades points out. "So, find the book and destroy them."

But Liam refuses. "Do it yourself."

"It's the Sorcerer's house. Light magic doesn't agree with me, so I kind of need you."

"And if I refuse?" Liam asks.

"I'll tell your brother the thing you never could, the reason you're really down here." Hades threatens, causing Liam to be even more submissive than before.


At the Underworld's version of the sheriff's station, David, Snow, and Avia walk inside seeing the place empty.

"It looks like my evil twin is out on patrol." David comments.

"Great." Snow says, relieved. "Then let's find that key and get the hell out of here."

Avia walks to a file cabinet and opens the first drawer. "Found it."

Snow walks up behind her daughter, grabbing the key. "You two are so alike." She smirks at her husband, speaking about David and his twin brother.

"Next you're gonna say we kiss the same." David says, taking offense to her comment.

Avia grimaces. "Gross."

"Sorry." David sighs.

Snow shows David the key. "Just like Michael said."

"James!" They hear Cruella call out. "Is that you, darling?"

Avia's eyes widen in fear. "Cruella." She whispers to her parents. The last time she saw Cruella she was pushing her over a cliff to her death.

"James?"

"Go." David whispers. "You and Avia go. I've got this."

"No, David!" Snow argues.

"No, she thinks I'm him." David explains. "Go, go, go, go, go."

"Come on." Snow grabs Avia's hand and quickly leads her to the other room.

David slams the drawer shut just as Cruella enters, wearing a dress and her boa, and holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here, James darling." She says, smiling at David, assuming its his twin brother James. "I've had a nasty, fruitless day, and Mummy needs to unwind."

"I'm sure you." David appears frightened as Cruella quickly walks up to him and plants a kiss right on his lips. He is, of course, taken aback, but tries his best not to be suspicious.

"So, Sheriff - " Cruella turns around, backing herself into David. " - what would you like to try first?" She asks, opening the bottle. "The champagne or me?"


Outside the station, Snow and Avia are standing behind the wall, waiting for David. Snow looks at her daughter who has been avoiding all eye contact with them since she returned.

"How you are doing, honey?" Snow asks, breaking the silence. "We haven't really got to talk since everything."

Avia sighs, still avoiding contact with her mom. "A lot has been happening."

Snow nods, looking concerned. "You've been through a lot. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Emma said you wanted to come for me." Avia says.

Snow smiles, softly. "Of course I did, Avia." She goes to touch Avia's cheek, but Avia flinches away from her mom's touch. Snow looks sadly at her daughter. "I will always come for you. You're my daughter."

Avia looks down, ashamed. "The daughter that wanted to kill you."

Snow furrows her brows. "Avia, no. That's not - "

"I should get this key to Emma." Avia interrupts, taking the key from Snow. "You should wait for Dad."

But before Snow could even find the words, Avia was already walking away. Snow was sure her daughter was going to have a tough time after going through what she just went through, but she never wanted Avia to feel ashamed by what she tried to do. It was the darkness, and Snow and David understood that. They just need to make sure their daughter knows that as well.


Over at Granny's Diner, Regina is sitting at the bar while Emma stands, staring at the door.

"Will you stop staring at the door?" Regina begs. "When your parents and Avia walk through it, I promise I'll tell you."

"Maybe this was a bad idea." Emma worries. "I should've gone with them; not send my fifteen year old sister."

"Would you relax? People are starting to stare at us. Remember what Liam said - we need to act casual." Regina reminds the savior as she takes a sip of her coffee.

Emma sighs, taking a seat at the bar. "Yeah, what do you think of Liam, anyway? You don't think he's a little self-righteous, do you?" She asks, still peeved by what he said to her back at the loft.

"He doesn't like you, does he?" Regina realizes.

"He doesn't think I'm good enough for Hook."

Regina chuckles. "To be honest, you're too good for Hook."

Emma scowls. "He's different with Liam. It's like he thinks he walks on water."

"What's going on?"

"Liam thinks I should let Killian move on. That I shouldn't drag him through all my - mess." She shrugs.

Regina scoffs. "Who cares what Liam thinks? What does Hook think?"

"He doesn't know."

"Then I wouldn't worry about it. I think these last few weeks have proven that Hook will never give up on you. He loves you." Regina sighs. "Now, explain to me how I should be okay with my children meeting up with their biological father alone."

Emma narrows her eyes at Regina. "Come on, Regina. Michael is a good guy. He'd never do anything that would put Nick and Karley in danger."

"I guess I'm just feeling a little jealous. I did make Nicholas my son through a curse. It's not like I'm his real - "

"You're his real mother, Regina." Emma interrupts. "And Karley's. Those children love you. You've proven yourself to them, and I think it's safe to say you've proven to Michael that you can love and take care of his children. It's okay to be selfish and only want them for yourself. They may be catching up with their father right now, but remember who they are going home with."

Regina smiles, softly, grateful for Emma's words. But before she can say anything, the diner's door opens and Avia walks in. "Hey." She says, walking up to them. "We found the key." Avia holds up the key they found in the filing cabinet.


Out in the woods, near the Sorcerer's house, Michael is standing near a tree watching his children approach him.

"It really is him." Karley says, surprised to see her father again after three years. He still looks exactly the same. It was hard to believe that he has been in the Underworld for this long.

"I told you." Nick tells her.

As the kids approach, Michael is hesitant, but looks longingly at his children that he's missed so much. "You made it."

"Of course we did."

Michael and Karley stare at one another. "Hi, kiddo."

With tears in her eyes, Karley breaks down and jumps into her father's arms. "I never thought I'd ever see you again, let alone hug you." She cries out onto his shoulder.

Michael allows a tear to fall down his own eye as she wraps his arm around Karley, and with his other he brings Nick into their embrace. "I've missed you both so much."

"We missed you, too, Dad." Nick assures him as he holds him tight. "You have no idea."

The pull away, but keep their hands together. Michael looks his children up and down. "You both have grown so much." He smiles, patting Nick on his cheek. "My boy. You look like your old man." He laughs lightly. Nick smiles, bashful. Michael turns to Karley. "My girl." He smiles. "You're beautiful, just like your mother."

Karley chuckles. "You still look the same, Daddy."

"I know we didn't talk much before." He says to Nick. "But how's everything. How is your life?"

Karley and Nick glance at one another, shaking their heads. "Our lives have been pretty crazy, but good."

Michael nods. "Regina's raising you well."

"I never thought I could ever consider anyone else as a parent until Regina took me in." Karley says, smiling as she thinks about their mom. "Regina's been so great. She protects us."

"Good." Michael smiles, happily. "Good." But before he can say anymore the group walks up.

"Nicholas, Karley." Regina's voice says from behind them. The kids turn to find Regina walking up with the others. Regina looks apprehensively up at Michael. "Michael." She smiles, kindly. "It's good to see you again."

Michael walks closer to Regina with his hands still attached to Karley and Nick's. He nods, looking grateful at the woman who now takes care of his children. "Hello, Regina. I - "

"The mansion is here." Killian says, interrupting, causing them to turn towards the pirate, who is looking at the home.

Emma walks up to Michael. "Thank you, Michael. For your help." She says, placing a gentle hand on the man's shoulder.

"Anything to help my family." Michael says, smiling at his children, and Regina, who looks away, awkwardly.

They walk up to the house, up the steps, and stand at the front door. "Do we have the key?" Liam asks.

"We have it." Killian says, showing his brother the key.

"There's a protection spell on the door." Michael informs them.

"Well, I suppose I should do the honors." Liam suggests. "I've been dead the longest. I'd say I have the least to lose."

Killian holds the key up to his brother. "You always were the noble one, weren't you?"

He hands Liam the key, and they all watch as Liam slowly inserts it into the lock.


Having to move cobwebs out of the way to clear a path, Killian leads the way inside the mansion.

"Wonderful." Killian says sarcastically. "I love what they've done with the place."

"We should split up - move fast." Liam suggests.

"Um, yeah. I guess." Emma says, wearily, watching as Liam walks away. "Avia, you're with me."

Regina turns to Nick and Karley. "You both should stay here."

Nick shakes his head, refusing. "But this was my idea - well, Dad's. I'm not gonna stand behind and do nothing."

"You're not doing nothing." Regina assures him. "You and Karley need to keep lookout."

Nick scowls. "Lookout?"

"Don't argue with your mother, Nick." Michael reprimands, surprising Regina. "Regina, would you like to accompany me?"

Regina is taken aback, but agrees. "Sure."

Karley and Nick watch as their parents walk away in dismay. "What just happened?" Karley asks.

Nick shakes his head, annoyed. "They ganged up on us. Come on, Karley, we have a pen to look for." He says, walking away.

Karley scowls, confused. "Wait - What - a pen?" She walks off to catch up with her brother.


As Avia and Emma are searching in another part of the mansion, Avia glances up at her sister, seeing that she is in deep thought. "You don't trust him."

Emma frowns, confused. "Hm?"

"Liam." Avia says. "You don't trust him. I can see it on your face." Emma lets out a heavy breath. "If it helps, I get it. I don't trust him either."

Emma seems surprised by this. "You don't? Why?"

Avia shrugs. "He showed up out of no where. And now he's giving us orders. I don't like that."

Emma looks away. "Yeah." She sighs. "Me either. But he's Killian's brother."

"Dead brother." Avia corrects her.


In another room, Regina and Michael are searching on opposite ends of the room, both haven't said anything since separating from the kids.

"Regina, I - "

Regina quickly turns around to face Michael. "Michael, please believe me when I say that I had no idea Cora was going to do what she did. If I would have known, I would have stopped her. I don't want you to think that what she did was just - "

Michael holds up his hands, stopping Regina. "Regina. Regina. I know." He says calmly. "I know you had nothing to do with my death. You were hurt, but I know you would never kill me."

Regina scowls. "You do?"

Michael nods. "I knew how much you loved my boy when I was alive. You may have casts a curse to split us all apart - " Regina looks down, ashamed. " - but you gave him a life. You gave him a mother. And you did the same for my daughter when I died. We've both made plenty of mistakes in our lives, but we've changed. You've changed. My kids are beautiful. They're happy. And that's all because of you."

"Michael - "

"Your mother killed me to make sure my - our children stayed with you."

"I'm sorry." Regina says, sadly.

"But if they could end up with anyone, I'm glad they've ended up with you. I forgive you for everything you put us through. And I forgive your mother. I'm sad that I am unable to be with my kids, and to watch them grow. But they have several people who love and care for them. They are exactly where they are meant to be. You're doing a great job with them, Regina. Thank you."

"I love those kids very much."

Michael nods. "And they love you."

"Thank you."

"Just keep doing what you're doing, Regina. You're a wonderful mother, and just who they need in their lives."

Regina wasn't sure what else she could say to express how happy hearing those words from Michael made her feel. She just knows she has to continue being the mother Nick and Karley need and deserve.


Elsewhere, in a room filled with storybooks, Liam approaches a table and pulls back a cloth, seeing a chest lying beneath the glass. He reaches for it, taking it out, and opens it, revealing the storybook they've been looking for, entitled 'Once Upon a Time.'

Liam places the book onto the glass table and opens it to the story of Hades. He looks around, making sure no one is looking, he flips through the book seeing that the pages in the book beyond Hades' story are blank. He quickly rips out the pages, leaving no trace of Hades' past in the book. Liam folds up the pages and hides them inside his pocket, closing the book.

"I'm sorry, brother." He declares.


Back at the sheriff's station, Cruella pours some more champagne for David.

"Come on." She urges. "Drink up like a good boy."

David puts his glass to the side. "I have to get up for an early patrol." From her seat on his lap, Cruella scoffs, tracing her hand down his face. "Fresh souls arriving." Cruella begins to kiss him along his cheek. "Always someone new to shake down."

Cruella sighs. "Is Mummy boring you, James?" David chuckles, keeping up with his act. "Normally you're so much more enthusiastic when I come to visit you in your dungeon." She gasps, grabbing the handcuffs on top the desk. "Maybe we need to try spicing things up with a little hardware, hmm?" She asks, proceeding to plant a heavy kiss onto David's lips.

This only grows David to become angry as he picks her up and stands, placing her roughly onto the desk. "Does this act really work on him?" He exclaims. "Because, frankly, I find it repulsive."

Cruella sighs. "Oh, boo! Couldn't you have pretended to be Jimmy a little while longer?" She complains.

David is shocked by this. "Wait. You mean all this time, you knew?"

Cruella sighs, fixing herself up. "Well, of course I knew. I mean, you might look like him, but you have none of his unique, delicious damage."

"What damage is that?" David questions.

"The damage you're responsible for, darling."

"Me!? I never even met the guy!"

"Oh, sure you have. When you were infants, curled up safe in your mummy's arms, until she had to choose which one of you went to live with the king and who stayed with her. She had to pick her favorite, and she picked you."

"That is not my fault."

"Well, your brother disagrees." Cruella tells him. "He's spent his whole life and death wondering why you and not him."

"Well, I don't have the answers for him, okay?" David shouts.

Cruella looks at David in awe. "Oh, there it is. That same damage I see in James. One of these days, you two are going to meet and it's going to be - " She stands from the desk. " - one hell of a reunion."

But David looks less than excited about this.


Meanwhile, at the mansion, Regina is turning the pages of the storybook.

"There's no mention of Hades' story anywhere." Killian says.

"Why am I not surprised?" Regina asks.

"Yeah, and look." Emma stops Regina, pointing to the torn pages. "There's some pages that are missing."

"Well, back whenever I had my book, someone tore out the page of when I was born. Someone didn't want Emma and I knowing where we came from." Avia remembers.

"Well, if Hades has done the same, we don't stand much chance of finding it." Killian says.

"What do you think, Liam?" Emma decides to ask Killian's brother. "You found the book. Was there any evidence it had been tampered with?"

Liam shakes his head. "No. And until I find any, I'll choose to have hope." He points to the book. "Those pages could have fallen out and still be in this house, and I, for one, won't give up without trying to find them." Liam proceeds to turn around and walk out of the room.

Regina walks up behind Emma. "I see what you mean about self-righteous." She says quietly into Emma's ear before walking away with Michael and Avia.

Killian starts to follow, but then turns around seeing Emma looking at the book again. "What's wrong, love? Aren't you coming?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. Let's go." Emma grabs the book, ready to follow him out.

"No, wait." Killian says, sensing something is wrong. "Wait. Not until you tell me what's going on. I know when something's bothering you."

Emma hesitates before she admits the truth. "It's Liam. I had a bad feeling ever since we met, and at first I thought it was just because he didn't like me." Killian looks away, instantly feeling the fury rising inside of him at his girlfriend's honesty. "But it's not just me. Avia felt it, too. I think he's hiding something."

"That's preposterous." Killian argues. "My brother wouldn't lie."

"Maybe there's stuff about him you don't know. Maybe he does know what his unfinished business is down here."

"No, you're wrong about him. I know who my brother is. Just like you know who your sister is. Now, I'm gonna help him find those pages."

Killian doesn't give Emma a chance to say another word before he turns away and walks out of the room to help his brother find the missing pages.


Outside the sorcerer's mansion, Liam takes the torn pages from the storybook out of his pocket and tosses them into the well. At the same time, though, Emma walks out.

"Find anything out here?" She asks, startling him.

Liam turns around, facing her. "Emma. I'm afraid a ship's captain can only be cooped up for so long. I had to come out and get some air. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to show you this." Emma shows Liam the ring Killian had given her back in the Enchanted Forest.

Liam quickly recognizes it. "Oh. It's the ring I gave Killian. I noticed he wasn't wearing it."

"Because he gave it to me. And you know what he told me when he did? That it belonged to a much better man than him." She reveals, hoping to trigger something inside the brother. Liam smiles slightly, clearly touched by this. "You're his hero. He doesn't think you can do any wrong which is why I can't figure out why you would lie to him."

Killian walks out, seeing the two. "Liam, Emma, what's going on?"

"She thinks I lied to you." Liam tells his brother.

"He took the pages." Emma insists. "I can prove it. Ask him to show you his hands. He's been hiding them since I got here."

"Look, if it would help to clear things up, I'd be happy to."

"That won't be necessary." Killian stops his brother, glaring at Emma. "I don't need proof to know what's really going on here. Emma, when are you gonna admit that this isn't really about my brother?"

Emma frowns in confusion. "What else would you think it was about?"

"Us. You think if you can prove that Liam is a villain, then I'll somehow feel like I was less of one."

"You agree with him?"

"I've seen a lot of people I've hurt here. I should have ended up here a long time ago." He looks back at his brother. "Maybe your unfinished business is us, brother."

"Killian, no, I - "

"I'm sorry, Emma." Killian interrupts, looking back at her. "You were hesitant about our future, and now I understand why. I never belonged in Storybrooke - with you. I've always belonged here, where I should have been centuries ago. We came here for your sister. So, you'll be returning back to Storybrooke with Avia, but I won't be returning with you."

Emma looks at Killian, her eyes glistening with tears. "No, Killian. We all came here together. We can all leave together. You are not that villain anymore, Killian, and that's something you're going to have to believe for yourself."

With that, Emma walks away from the brothers. Killian turns, attempting to go after her, but Liam places his hand out, stopping him. "Let her go, Killian. It's for the best."

Killian looks down, noticing the ink from the pages on Liam's hand. "Your hand. You are hiding something."

Liam closes his hand. "It's nothing."

Killian grabs his brother's arm, forcefully, looking closer at Liam's hand. "It's the ink from the pages." He says, furiously. "Emma was right. Why would you lie to me!?"

Suddenly, Captain Silver and his men from Killian and Liam's time on a ship emerge. "Because he's got much bigger secrets than what's in some book." Captain Silver claims. "Like the truth about what he did to us."

Killian turns to his brother, who looks down in shame. "What truth is he talking about, Liam? What does it have to do with those missing pages?"

"Your brother is not the hero he pretends to be." Captain Silver says as Killian looks back at him. "I found that out when I stopped by his tavern for my usual drink. He had a rather unexpected guest. Hades." Killian is surprised by this, looking back at his brother. "He traded our souls for the Eye of the Storm. Hades threatened to reveal the truth unless your brother destroyed the pages from that book."

"Liam - " Killian says, appearing shocked by this. "Please tell me there's another explanation for this."

"I'm sorry, Killian!" Liam exclaims. "But I didn't have any other choice. I had to do what I could in order to save us."

"You lied to me." Killian hisses.

"And now you're both going to pay." Captain Silver assures them. "Men!"

He orders his men to attack. They close in to the brothers, placing sacks over their heads.


Still with the sacks over their heads, Killian and Liam are brought to the fire caves where souls can be pushed down into the worse place. The men place them at the end of the outstretched ledge.

"You can remove them now." Captain Silver orders his men to remove the sacks from the brothers' head, which they do, before walking away. "It's time to walk the plank."

"I'll gladly walk it." Liam says, willingly. "Just spare Killian, please. He has nothing o do with this."

"He should've gone down along with the ship, like the rest of us. And now he finally will."

Liam turns back to his brother. "I'm sorry, Killian. I wanted to be this perfect example for you, to inspire you."

"All you did was raise the bar so high, the only thing I could do was fail." Killian says.

"No more talking!" Captain Silver orders. "Time to face justice, boys."

Suddenly, a mound of blue flames rises from the ground behind the captain. "Did someone decide to have a party and forget to invite me?" Hades asks.

Captain Silver turns fearfully. "Lord - Lord Hades."

Hades huffs and puffs and send Captain Silver over the edge of the cliff and into the fire below. He chuckles looking back at the brothers. "And now for the Brothers Jones. One of them kept up his end of the our bargain and gets to live, while the other decided to play in my underworld, and for that, he has to pay. At last, we'll see the end of Captain Hook and this time, you won't be able to protect him."

"No." Liam protests. "I won't let you hurt Killian, no matter what kind of deal we made."

"Fine. Have it your way."

With another puff from his mouth, Hades blows, sending Liam flying off the ledge. "No!" Killian shouts. He jumps up and manages to grab Liam's hand, leaving him dangling over the fire ledge. "Liam, please, hang on."

"I'm sorry, brother." Liam apologizes. "Can you forgive me for what I've done?"

"Yes, but that's not what's important. You need to find a way to forgive yourself."

"I can't, not after what I did to you. The only way to make amends is for me to pay the price."

"No." Liam willingly lets go of his brother's hand. "No!" Killian shouts as he watches Liam fall into the fire, watching with pure devastation in his eyes.

However, the fire is then replaced by a white light as the land of Mount Olympus appears, complete with a ship waiting to take the other sailors to a better place. Hades exhales sharply. "No."

"What's happened?" Killian asks, confused.

"You will pay for this." Hades assures him before teleporting away.

Down below, Liam is now waiting on a small sailboat, floating on the water which has risen to the level of the cliff. Killian looks at his brother, relieved. "Liam." He stands to his feet, smiling at his brother. "You're safe."

"Yes." Liam says, looking around. "It appears I am." He chuckles as the sailboat rows to the edge to pick up the rest of the men. "I suppose this is a sacrifice I should have made long ago. And now I can finally depart."

Killian nods, taking this in. "Then go. All of you." He narrows his eyes at the men. "Now that you finally know the truth, your unfinished business is complete as well. Get on board, men." He kneels down, grabbing the boat to keep steady as the men step aboard.

Killian stands back up. "What about you, brother?" Liam wonders.

"It's not my time yet, brother." Killian says, thinking about Emma.

"Tell her I'm sorry, and I was wrong. She does want what's best for you. And don't worry about reaching that bar anymore, Killian. You've become a true hero in a way I never could." He reaches his hand out, looking proudly at his brother. "Goodbye."

Killian grabs hold of his brother's wrist. "Goodbye, brother."

Their hands then drift apart as the boat sails towards Olympus.


Back at the mansion, Killian walks inside, seeing Emma searching the main room.

She breathes out, relieved to see him. "Killian, where the hell have you been? First you and Liam left, then Nick and Karley ran off somewhere."

"I'm sorry, Emma. You were right about Liam." He tells her. "He destroyed those pages because of a deal he made with Hades years ago - a deal that almost got us thrown into that boiling sea."

"Are you okay?" Emma wonders. "Where is he?"

Killian is silent for a moment, taking in what he just went through. "He, uh, sacrificed himself, but his sacrifice helped a crew we once sailed with." He explains. "They finally moved on, thanks to him."

"Did he move on, too?"

"He did, but he helped me see the truth before he went. I'm glad we came down here, Emma." Killian admits. "I thought I had realized it before, but being here now makes me realize it even more. I've survived for a reason." He smiles slightly down at her. "You."

Emma moves in close to him. "Does that mean, when this is all over, you're coming back home with us?"

"Yes. I was crazy to ever think I'd stay." He chuckles, lightly. "Everything Liam did was to ensure that I had a future, and I damn well intend to make sure that we all do."

Emma jumps up, kissing Killian passionately on the lips.


Elsewhere in the mansion, Nick and Karley are still walking around.

"I don't understand." Karley says, still confused, having just been explained everything by Nick. "How can a pen be alive - or - or dead? This doesn't make sense."

"Magic, Karley." Nick says as they walk into the room filled with storybooks. "When are you going to realize it."

"But - " Before Karley could finish they notice a blue glow emanating from a lamp, which is covered by a white sheet. As Karley's eyes widen, Nick slowly begins to smile. "What is that?"

Nick walks over and uncovers the lamp. He bends down and reaches into the lamp shade, grabbing the magic quill that was hiding underneath. He looks back at his sister with a grin. "Magic."


Back at the apartment, David, Killian, Emma, Avia, Snow, Regina, and Michael are gathered around the kitchen bar, looking through the storybook.

"There's nothing in this entire book about Hades." Snow says, disappointed.

"Liam ripped out every page." Killian tells her. "On behalf of my brother, I'm sorry."

"Maybe there's something else that can help us." Emma wonders. "Our Storybook had all kinds of secrets in it."

David slides the book over to his daughter. "Well, Avia is the expert when it comes to Storybooks."

Avia moves away, feeling awkward. "I don't think so. Nick and Karley have looked through the books just as much as me."

Snow turns to her daughter seeing the apprehension on her face. She really wanted to finish their conversation they were having outside the station before Avia walked away, but she knew this wasn't the time to do so. "How about we look through it together?" Snow suggests. Avia glances at her mother as Snow moves the book back in front of them.

"I better go check on our children." Michael speaks up to Regina.

"I'd join you, but Nicholas isn't happy with me right now." Regina says, glumly.

Michael smirks. "You were just being his mother. I'll talk to him."

With that, Michael walks up and heads upstairs to speak with his children.

David looks up, seeing the anxiety on Regina's face. "How is co-parenting going?" He grins.

Regina rolls her eyes. "Not funny." She sighs. "I - I don't know. I don't know how to act around him. My mother killed him. I don't understand how he can be okay with being around me."

This only causes Snow to glance at her daughter who is focused on the book in front of her. She can see the pain and guilt on her daughter's face, knowing she is feeling the same way as Regina.


Upstairs, Nick and Karley are sitting together on the bed, talking amongst themselves when Michael walks in.

"I've been gone for three years and my children are already tired of being around me." He jokes.

Karley and Nick look up at their dad. "Uh. Sorry, Dad. We'll be right down."

Michael nods, grabbing the chair at the desk and placing it in front of his kids before sitting down. "Being secretive, I see. You two have not changed a bit. I remember always catching you both whispering into each other's ears, keeping your secrets from your mother and me."

Nick glances at his sister, who looks back at him, wearily. He then stands, looking down at his father. "It's not a secret if you know about it."

Michael watches as his son pulls the quill from out his pocket. He smiles. "You found it."


"The Author's pen!?" Regina exclaims as the magic quill is laid out in front of her and the others.

"But I thought you destroyed it." Snow says to Nick, confused.

"He did." Karley answers for her brother. "Apparently it brought the pen to the Underworld."

"The Apprentice found me." Michael admits, surprising everyone. "He told me that my son would be coming here, and only I would be able to tell Nick where to find it."

Nick sighs, looking down at the pen. "I thought that I could use the pen to be a hero." He admits.

Regina furrows her brows. "What made you think you needed to do this?" She asks.

"Well, it was Cruella who wanted me to use it to bring her back to life." Nick explains.

"Why would you want to help her?" Avia exclaims, clearly annoyed by this.

"To help you. She said you have all this guilt about killing her, for almost killing us - " Avia closes her eyes, looking away. " - and that's when I realized I have all this power and I'm just ignoring it. I wanna be a hero for once. I don't want to sit the sidelines anymore and watch."

"I told him he was being stupid, if that helps." Karley comments.

Avia walks away from the group and into the living room, her parents watching her closely. "But I stopped him from doing anything stupid - " Michael says, narrowing his eyes at his daughter, who looks away. " - and explained to him the greatness the quill can be if he uses it for what it is meant for."

"And I understand now that I was going about everything the wrong way." Nick adds.

Regina raises her brow, unsure. "Do you, Nicholas? Do you really understand?"

Nick nods. "I do. I know what I'm supposed to do with the pen now. I know what I can do to help. I'm going to write the stories as they are, and I'll first start with Hades'. I'm going to recreate his story."

"Hades went through a lot of trouble to keep us from learning his story." Snow points out.

"Which means we're onto something." Regina says.

"The questions is - " David looks around at the others who are wondering the same thing. " - what is Hades trying to hide from us?"


Down in Hades' lair, the man himself approaches one of his rivers, staring down into it. He then crouches down and reaches out, retrieving something. The steam rises from the water and it starts to clear, revealing the pages from the Underworld edition of the storybook - the same ones that were torn out by Liam.

The first page depicts Hades' air, which he picks up and moves to the back. The second page causes him to be a little taken aback, but then he smiles. It's of him and the Wicked Witch of the West.

"Zelena..." He utters. "Our secret remains safe."


Land of Oz / Many Years Ago...

Through the doors of the royal palace, in the center of the Emerald City of Oz, a platter with a green-frosted cupcake sits with a lit single candle. The Wicked Witch, Zelena, sits down at the table with a somber look upon her green face. Looking into the mirror in front of her, she waves her hand, revealing the moment her mother, Cora, abandoned her.

"Poor babe." A young Cora says to baby Zelena. "Now I must give you away to give me my best chance."

Zelena scowls at the mirror, waving her hand again to rid the image. "You gave away the wrong child, Mother. Soon, you'll see. Soon." And with that she blows out the candle of her cupcake. The doors then swing open, startling her. A flying monkey flies into the room with a delivery. With a wicked grin upon her face, Zelena stands to her feet, watching as the monkey drops the Scarecrow down at her feet. "Well, isn't this nice?"

The Scarecrow stands to its feet. "W-W-What do you want!?" He cowardly asks.

"Why, you, of course. You're going to help me create a very special spell, one that no sorcerer has yet to achieve - a time-travel spell." The Scarecrow takes a step back. "I just need the ingredients - symbols of innocence and love and courage and wisdom." She explains. "A symbol of innocence could be a baby, for instance, and a symbol of wisdom could be a brain." She laughs evilly, holding out her hand, causing the Scarecrow to step back again. "Your brain, to be exact."

"Oh, no!" The Scarecrow trembles. "No, no, no, no, no!"

Suddenly, the doors open again and a woman walks in. "Stop!" She orders Zelena.

Zelena immediately recognizes who it is. "Dorothy?" Dorothy continues stomping her way towards the witch and the Scarecrow. "Didn't I sent you back to Kansas?"

"Well, witch - " As Dorothy passes, the Scarecrow takes the opportunity to run away. " - I'm back."

Zelena looks down at the silver slippers on Dorothy's feet. "Those slippers. They were supposed to be my one-way ticket home!"

"You left me no choice. I had to return." Dorothy says, dropping the bag from off her shoulder. "When I got word that you were alive, and had taken over Oz, I had to stop you."

"You got word?" Zelena questions. "Munchkins." She grits, menacingly. "I hate those mouthy, little vermin!"

"Let the Scarecrow go."

From out his hiding, the Scarecrow pokes his head out. "Yes." He quietly agrees.

"Sorry." Zelena says, sarcastically. "Think I'll hold on to him."

"You will never defeat me, Zelena, because I have the most powerful weapon of all - the love of the people."

This only causes Zelena to laugh. "Aww." She then forms a green fire ball in her hand. "Well, then - "

Toto, Dorothy's dog, then leaps out of the bag and runs to the curtains that hang behind the witch. Zelena throws the fireball at Dorothy, who ducks, and instead it hits a guard who walked through the doors at the wrong time, disintegrating his head. Toto pulls the string of the curtain before Zelena is able to make another move, and is hit by the fallen cloth, causing her to collapse to the ground.

While she struggles to get out, Dorothy grabs her bag and makes her way out the doors, with the Scarecrow and Toto.

Zelena is too late. "No!" She furiously yells out.


Underworld / Present...

Hours later, down inside Hades' lair. "You think a desperate man would work a little faster." He says to Rumple, who is sitting, spinning at his infamous wheel.

"Magic cannot be rushed." Rumple informs him. "Creating a portal is no simple task."

"Yes." Hades exclaims, peeved. "Yes, I know." He proceeds to sit at his desk with one of the pages from the storybook in his hand - the one of himself and Zelena. "But we don't have a dark curse or a magic bean or silver slippers. We have something better - your Dark One-tainted blood. It got you down here. It can reopen the portal."

Rumple looks quizzically at the dark man. "Why do you even need a portal?" He wonders. "You can come and go as you please."

Hades turns in his chair to face the imp. "But I can't bring anyone back - alive. By combining our powers, that can change. And I don't care how painful it is for you." Hades magically appears the contract, he and Rumple agreed to, in his hand. "So, if you want me to tear up this contract so your child-to-be is your child-to-be, you won't care about the pain, either."

"You must tell me where you want this portal directed."

"Oh. Why, Storybrooke, of course." Hades grins.


Storybrooke...

Meanwhile, back in their town, Belle walks into the nunnery, and into the nursery where baby Neal and Robin and Zelena's baby girl is staying.

"Why, hello, little ones." She coos down at the babies who are laying in separate cribs near one another. "Hey. Did you sleep well?"

The Blue Fairy then walks in. "Belle." She smiles. "What are you doing here?"

Belle narrows her eyes, teasingly at the woman, showing her the bottles in her hand. "Uh, formula for the babies?" She laughs.

"Of course." Blue chuckles. "Here. I'll help." She goes to take one of the bottles to feed the baby girl.

"The red one's hers." Belle says, handing Blue the bottle with the red top.

"Oh, right." Blue chuckles. "I don't know where my head is today."

Belle looks curiously. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Blue smiles. "Everything's fine."

But Belle seems unconvinced. "No, it's not." She quickly turns to find the real Blue walking in from the stairs, glaring at the one who is disguised as her. "Who are you?" Blue demands as she approaches them.

Belle scowls at the woman standing in front of her. "Zelena." She realizes.

Zelena in disguise grins. "You really are a clever girl." She says before transforming back into her normal body.

Belle and Blue both gasps, clearly shocked. "No, no, no. Regina sent you back to Oz." Belle exclaims. "Ho - How did you - "

"All you need to know is that my sister can't keep me down." Zelena says in anger. "I've come for my baby. So, if you wish to remain alive, step aside."


Back in the Underworld, Rumple appears bewildered. "Zelena's baby?" He questions. "What do you want with her child?"

"Well, you of all people should know the value of keeping your reasons your own." Hades tells him. "I don't have to tell you anything."

Rumple scoffs, amused. "And yet you keep doing so. Some might call that the maker of an insecure man."

"We're done here." Hades stands from his chair. "Get me Zelena's baby. I'll rip up the contract, and you can tell Belle she's pregnant without also having to tell her she owes her baby to me." He says as he walks up behind Rumple, whispering in his ear. "I hear new expectant mothers hate that. Almost as much as they hate hearing their husbands are still the Dark One." Hades walks in front of Rumple, pulling out a knife. "Now do it."


Storybrooke...

Zelena picks up her crying baby girl from her crib as Belle and Blue helplessly watch.

"Put her - Put her down." Belle pleads.

"Or what?" Zelena asks, holding her baby close. "Hmm? You'll smite me with your book learnin'?"

Blue proceeds to hold out her wand. "Oh, I have something more than that." She threatens.

"Please. Neither of you would dare risk hurting my child."


Underworld...

Using the knife, Rumple slices his hand, using his blood to open the portal.


Storybrooke...

Belle begins to panic, breathing heavily. "No, you - you don't want to hurt your baby."

"No." Zelena agrees. "But I don't mind hurting you." She sneers.

"Okay." Belle nods. "We'll see." Suddenly, the building begins to shake, causing them all to lose their balance, and forcing them to grab onto to whatever they can. "Stop it!" Belle screams, assuming this is Zelena's doing. "You're endangering everyone!"

"It's not me that's doing it!" Zelena shouts, just as a portal opens up in the floor. Belle manages to grab the baby from Zelena's arm, but as she goes to escape, she falls into the portal. "No!" Zelena then jumps into the portal after Belle and her baby.


Underworld...

The portal closes, only confusing Hades. "Okay. Where's the baby?"


In the Underworld's version of the convent, Baby Hood cries while in the arms of Belle. Both she and Zelena are on the ground, forcing to take a look at their surroundings.

"What happened?" Belle asks. "How did we get out here?"

Zelena gasps towards her baby. "My baby. My baby! Is she hurt!?" She tries to get up, but she cries out in pain, seeming to have hurt her leg from the fall. She groans out in pain and tries to use her magic to heal herself, but appears she's powerless here. "Oh, my magic!"

"Zelena, what did you do to us?" Belle demands to know.

"I didn't do anything! This wasn't me!"

"Okay, then, if it wasn't you, then who was it, and - and where are we?" Belle questions, looking around, and then up. "And why is the sky red?"

Zelena follows, looking up into the sky. She immediately realizes where they are. "No, no, no!"

"What?"

Zelena sighs heavily, looking back at Belle. "We're in the Underworld."

"Okay. Then, uh, then Rumple must need my help." Belle says, standing to her feet. "That's why we're here."

"Wait. Hades." Zelena's face falls. "We're here because of me. And now I know why - my baby."

"What?" Belle asks, confused. "Hades wants your baby?"

Zelena reaches up for Baby Hood. "Hand her over. Please."

But Belle continues to hold the baby close. "No." She refuses. "No, nothing good ever came of anyone trusting you."

"Give her to me!" Zelena cries out. But Belle begins to walk away, knowing Zelena is unable to follow. "Belle, please! Give her to me! I can keep her safe! Please! Belle!?"


Oz / Many Years Ago...

Inside the munchkin villages, Zelena has arrived, holding her flying broomstick, as she paces back and forth in front of the terrified munchkins.

"So, I heard someone of the Munchkin persuasion tipped off Dorothy that I was still alive. Since you're all so fond of tattling, I'll give you the chance to make it up to me. Where can I find the Scarecrow!?"

They all gasps, jumping back in fear as the Wicked Witch gets into their faces. "We don't know." One of them exclaims, trembling. "We swear!"

"Fine. Have it your way, Boq!" Zelena waves her hand, exploding him in a puff of smoke. "Did that loosen your bearded lips?" She asks the rest. "Or would you like to turn into a pile of ash, too!?"

"Now, now." A familiar voice says from behind. "No need to make more of a mess."

Zelena and the munchkins turn to find Hades approaching. "Who the hell are you!?"

"Who the hell am I?" Hades asks. "That question is more appropriate than you know. Please - allow me to introduce myself. I am Hades."

"Really? King of the Underworld?"

Hades confirms this by switching on his flaming blue hair, terrifying the munchkins. They each run away to hide, watching in fear. "Yes." Hades smiles, amused. "My reputation precedes me." He grabs Zelena's hand and kisses it softly.

"And to what do I owe this visit?" Zelena asks.

"Your handiwork has impressed me. You've sent so many my way. That last headless guard - you have panache." He smiles.

"True." Zelena says with much pride. "But I sense there's something else."

"I heard a rumor that you're dabbling in time travel, trying to achieve the unachievable."

"It won't be unachievable for long." Zelena frustratingly spits back.

"Which is why I'm here. I believe in you." He says, causing Zelena to laugh in delight.

"Is the devil flirting with me?"

Hades laughs. "I'm not the devil. People are always conflating us. No, I want to help you. This Scarecrow - he is one of the ingredients you need?"

"Yes." She confirms. "And I had him until a meddling farm girl got in the way." She says, bitterly.

"Ah. Dorothy."

"You know her?"

"Well, I did my research before I came, and from what I hear, she's a powerful woman."

"So am I." Zelena glares, taking offense.

Hades chuckles. "Yes, yes, I know. I know. But she has one thing you don't - the love of the people." He repeats what Dorothy had said earlier, causing Zelena to roll her eyes. "And pardon me for saying so, but no one loves you." He whispers into Zelena's green ear, annoying her further. "But there is a way to defeat her." Hades smiles widely, opening his arms. "With an ally."

"And what does Hades need with a time-travel spell?"

"Ah. All in good time, Zelena." He says, not ready to reveal." He holds out his hand to her. "All in good time."

"I don't need anyone's help."

And in a puff of green smoke, Zelena disappears.


Underworld / Present...

Snow, Avia, and David are sitting in a booth together inside of Granny's Diner when a meal placed in front of them.

As David grabs his toast without a question, Snow, however, looks up at the Blind Witch in confusion. "We haven't ordered yet."

"One dry wheat toast, one oatmeal, and one scrambled egg." The Blind Witch points out. "I know the orders of all the regulars." She says, before smiling creepily at Avia. "I'll get your cocoa."

When she walks away, David, who is busy eating his toast, notices his wife's somber face. "What?"

"David, we're regulars." Snow realizes. "We were only supposed to be here for a day, and now we're regulars at the diner in hell. Um, on the way to hell." She quickly corrects herself.

Avia pushes away the plate of eggs, looking down shamefully. "It's my fault." Both parents look at their daughter. She looks up at her parents puzzled eyes. "It's my fault we're known as regulars. You're here because of me." David and Snow glance worriedly at one another. "I'm sorry." Avia says, breathing heavily, feeling overwhelmed by this realization that had always been there since she found out her parents were there. But saying it out loud was another feeling altogether. "I'm sorry." She repeats as a tear falls down her face.

Knowing their daughter, Snow and David could see that their daughter was about to break. And being in this booth, around all the dead, was not where they wanted their daughter to implode. "Come with me." Snow grabs Avia's hand and leads her out of the booth, with David following, and out the back door of the diner

Avia shakes her head, pulling away from Snow's hand. "No. No!" She exclaims. "You can't fix this! You can't fix this with talking! This is it! I am the reason why we are here! This is the end for us!"

David furrows his brows, wanting desperately to understand his daughter. "Where what ends, Avia?"

Although, Snow and David just wanted to gather their daughter in their arms, they couldn't. This has been a long time coming since they arrived. Avia had been holding back her feelings since she was found, and they wouldn't dare stop her from letting it out now.

With tears streaming down her face, Avia looks up at her parents, who are looking down at her with so much concern and love in their eyes, making all this so much more harder to deal with. "Our family." Her voice breaks. "You're still here - " She says, looking at Snow. " - because I couldn't make a decision, so Hades chose for me."

"Sweetheart, we would never have expected you to make a decision like that." Snow tells her. David and Snow now realize that their poor daughter was holding onto so much guilt - guilt that she doesn't deserve to feel.

"And now you're stuck here because of me. Once again our family is being torn apart. This isn't some curse separating us this time. This is the Underworld."

"Hey." David says sternly, kneeling down in front of Avia, placing his hand on her wet cheek as her tears continue to fall as she looks at her father. "This family will never be torn apart again. Do you hear me, Avia? None of this is your fault. I will not let anything happen to us."

"I almost... killed you." Avia cries. "I let darkness take over me because I am weak. You should have never came after me. This is where I've always belonged. It's better for everyone."

Snow kneels down next to David and grabs her daughter's hands. "Avia, not having you around is not better for anyone. Without you we are incomplete. We are not a family without you. And, look at us - " Snow smiles tearfully, looking at her husband. " - we are alive. We knew you were never going to kill us, Avia, because we know you - " Snow places one of her hands onto her daughter's chest." - and we know who you truly are inside. Yes, you let darkness consume you, but you knew when to take control, and you beat darkness. That's not weakness, my beautiful, brave girl - " Snow smiles as Avia begins to cry harder. " - that's strength."

"How can you possibly still want me after everything I've done?"

"Because we love you, baby."

"And that will never change." David adds, firmly. "No matter how many times you try to push us away. You are our daughter, and we will always fight for you."

"I'm sorry." Avia cries as Snow brings Avia into her arms, allowing her to cry onto her shoulder as she holds her close. "I'm so sorry."

David and Snow lean their heads onto Avia's, kissing her softly, lingering for a bit as they let their own tears fall. "No more sorry's." David whispers. "We are going to move on from this and become the family we were always meant to be."

Avia sits up, keeping her hold onto her mom as she wipes away her tears onto her sleeve. "But what about Neal?" She wonders. "He's back in Storybrooke, and he's alone."

At this moment, the Blind Witch walks out, holding Avia's cocoa, having overheard the family. "Oh. You can speak to him." Keeping a close hold to their daughter, Snow and David stand up, looking confused. "It's a simple Level 1 haunting." She tells them. "Lots of people do it here until they lose interest in life and people and - joy. I know where a booth is."

"A booth?" David questions. "For haunting?"

Snow narrows her eyes, intrigued. "Where?"

"Oh, here and there." The Blind Witch says, vaguely.

Snow glares at the witch. "What do you want?"

She suddenly pulls out a flask, reaching towards David. "Breathe into this." David stares at the flask, taken aback. "The breath of the living buys a lot on the black market here." She explains. David glances at his wife before giving in and does as she is told. The Blind Witch seals it, and puts the flask away. "Okay. The booth is by the bus stop. Just pick up the phone and tell the operator who you wish to haunt. Happy haunting!"

As the Blind Witch walks away, Avia look up at her parents, who look back with a smile. "Let's go." David tells them. "Let's go talk to our boy."


Inside the Blanchard Loft, Emma is looking down at the Underworld's version of the storybook which reveals the moment her parents and sister just had.

"Riveting tale." Killian comments, sarcastically. "Snow likes oatmeal. Is my morning breakfast in there, too?"

Emma turns, glaring at her boyfriend. "Are you just going to skip over the breakthrough Avia just had with her parents?" Regina asks the bitter pirate.

Killian shrugs. "It was a long time coming. I'll admit. I'm glad they were able to rekindle. But, Nick, I thought you were gonna use your author powers to get us to defeat Hades."

"I don't even remember writing this." Nick scowls. "It just appeared."

"Nick, maybe if you focus harder - " Emma begins.

"Oh. So you're all authors now?" Nick accuses. "Everyone's a writer. Everyone's got an idea."

Karley scoffs. "Nick, calm down. We're jus - "

"No." Nick interrupts. "I'm doing my best." He grabs the pages back from Emma. "Maybe if you just laid off for a little bit - "

Regina turns, giving her son a worried look. "Nicholas, where are you going?"

"Upstairs." And with that, Nick storms upstairs to the bedroom above, slamming the door.

Michael rolls his eyes, amused by his son's behavior. "Well, it looks like you officially have a teenager on your hands." He smirks at Regina, who narrows her eyes at him, unamused, when a knock on the door is heard.

Karley kinks her eyebrow, confused. "And a visitor in the Underworld apartment."

They all look at the door in confusion as Emma walks up to answer. Emma glances back at them before opening the door to reveal the Wicked Witch. Michael and Regina both stand in front of their daughter. "Zelena!?" Robin exclaims.

"So, someone finally did you in." Regina says with an evil grin.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I've very much alive." Zelena sarcastically reveals.

"Then how did you get here?" Robin asks.

"Through a portal. And I didn't come alone."

This quickly worries Regina. "Who else is here?"

"Our baby. And she's in danger." Zelena says, causing shock and worry to come across everyone's faces.


Oz / Many Years Ago...

The Wicked Witch makes her way through a set of doors, continuing her way down the yellow brick road of the royal palace.

She lets out a heavy sigh, and an eye roll, when she sees Hades sitting at her mirror. "You again." Zelena scoffs.

Hades is holding the green cupcake that Zelena was staring at earlier that day. "Is it your birthday?" He asks, curiously, standing up.

"I didn't know the king of the Underworld was so nosy." She says as she climbs the steps to meet him. "I don't know the day I was born, but thank you for reminding me."

"That's actually a sad story."

"I only know the day that my mother abandoned me." Zelena finishes bitterly.

"Ohh. Getting sadder. So, this is, what, celebrating Abandonment Day?"

"I'm not celebrating anything!" She exclaims, walking closer to the man and blowing out the candle on top of the cupcake he is holding. "Please go!" She walks past him, taking a seat at her mirror.

"You know, when I offered to help you, yes, it was coming from a place of self-interest, but I really do think I can help." Hades admits, sincerely, placing the cupcake down on her vanity. "You're thinking about your sister. Aren't you?"

"How did you know that?" Zelena wonders, sadly.

"I know exactly how you feel." He continues as Zelena listens, intrigued to know what this man knows about her. "She got everything you ever wanted. And you got nothing. Am I warm?" But Zelena doesn't answer. She's too embarrassed to admit it out loud to this man. "Yeah, you know how some people say they look up to their older siblings like gods? Well, my older brother is a god - Zeus. Ever hear of him? He got everything he ever wanted. He rules Mount Olympus, while I'm trapped ruling the Underworld. He stopped my heart. Love, happiness, joy - they've all been taken from me. What I'm left with is only anger and a thirst for vengeance."

"I've survived on that for quite some time." Zelena admits.

"Only the kiss of true love can restart my heart and allow me to return a fully formed man, free of this curse. But - " Hades chuckles. " - well, true love, hmm? No one is more hated than the Lord of the Underworld."

This puts a wicked grin onto the witch's face. "I could give you a run for your money."

"Yeah. Which is why we must find your ingredients. I know where this Scarecrow is." Zelena perks up at this. "Let me help you." He offers. "Let me help us." He slowly steps up behind Zelena and they both look at one another inside of her mirror. "If I can travel back I can see to it that it is me who winds up on Olympus and my brother who suffers."

Zelena smiles. "Well. You might just be as vindictive as I am."

Hades exhales sharply causing them both to laugh at this.


Underworld / Present...

Back inside the loft, Robin quickly gathers his archery as Zelena watches.

"Where are you going?" She asks him.

"To find our daughter." Robin tells her.

"What about a tracking spell?" She suggests to Regina.

"We don't have anything of the child's." Regina states.

"I don't need magic." Robin assures them. "I can find her. I lived for years in the forest. I can track anyone." But Zelena doesn't seem too convinced as Regina follows him to the door. "I will find our daughter."

Zelena lets out a sigh, rolling her eyes, before proceeding to follow her sister out of the loft.


Elsewhere, Belle, who is carrying the baby, is walking around the town, making her way to the Storybrooke Free Public Library. She opens the door is met with a wreckage, similar to the state of the rest of the town.

"What is this place?" She wonders to herself as she looks around. Suddenly the elevator turns on, signaling that someone is coming down. Unsure of who it may be, Belle decides to hide behind a book shelf, holding securely to Baby Hood. When the door opens, Belle is surprised to find Rumplestiltskin walking out. She gasps and steps out to make herself known to her husband. "Rumple."

"Belle." He smiles. "What are you doing here?" But his face quickly falls assuming the worst. "Y-Y-You're not - Y-You didn't - "

"Oh, no, no, no, no." Belle quickly assures him. "I'm alive." Rumple sighs in relief. "A portal brought me and the baby and - Zelena."

"That's why the spell didn't work as I thought." Rumple realizes, only confusing Belle more. "Brought over three bodies instead of one."

"Well... you - you did this. Who were you trying to bring if not me and you didn't know Zelena was back and - " Belle follows Rumple's eyes to the baby in her arms. "No!" She scowls. "Why would you steal a baby?"

"No, no, no. It was - It was Hades." Rumple reveals. "He used leverage to force me." But Belle furrows her brows, still confused. "Look - " He sighs. " - a long time ago, long before we even met I made a deal - one I never thought would rear its head."

"What did you do?" Belle wonders, intrigued.

"My boy was sick. In exchange for Baelfire's life, I made a deal to give up my second-born child."

"But you don't have a second-born child."

But Rumple proceeds to motion to her stomach with his hands. "It happened, Belle."

Belle's face drops in utter shock and surprise. "N - I'm - I'm pregnant!?" She stammers. Rumple nods his head, tearfully. Tears fiercely overwhelm Belle's blue eyes as she smiles widely. "We're gonna have a baby?" Rumple smiles, nodding. But as fast as Belle's happiness appeared, it soon vanished into a look of disgust. "A baby that you've already sold!"

"Yes, but - but we can fix that." Rumple assures her. "I'll use all my power. We can fix this."

"Power?" Belle questions, unaware that Rumple's power has returned. She stares at Rumple with a look of disbelief when the realization finally hits. "What - You're the Dark One again." Rumple silently nods as he digs into his coat pocket. "No."

He proceeds to pull out the Dark One's dagger. "Yes." He confirms, leaving Belle with a look of devastation. "See, the thing is - " He begins as he walks away, holding the dagger. " - I love this dagger." Rumple finally admits, looking back at his wife's glaring eyes. "And I also love you. Both are possible. Look, you wanted me to be a better man." He walks back over to her after placing the dagger onto the bookshelf. "And you've done that. But if you want me to be a different man... I'm sorry. This is who I am."

Belle shakes her head, with tear filled eyes. "You weren't always."

"Yes, I was. Even when I was a coward, I craved power. The only difference is, now I have it. And I won't let it go. Not again."

"Right." Belle nods, knowingly. "Not even for me?"

"Belle, there's something you must realize. Falling in love with the man behind the beast isn't really what happened to you. You fell in love with me because there was a man and a beast." He tries to explain. "Neither exists without the other."

"No." Belle refuses to accept this, looking at her husband with disgust. "No. I can't condone you being like this. Not again." She turns away.

"Yes, you can." Rumple tells her. "You just have to choose to." Belle looks back at the imp, scoffing. "And if you do, we can have what's important - family, happiness. It's your choice."

"No, I'm, uh - I'm not making any choices - not now." She looks down at the baby in her arms. "Not until you get me back to our friends and you've fixed - all of this."

"Then that's what I shall do." He agrees. "But you'll see I'm right. You'll see."


Out on the streets of Underbrooke, a line is formed behind the haunting booths used to contact the land of the living. David, Snow, and Avia stand together wondering how to even do this.

"I mean, how does this even work?" Snow worries. "I don't know how much time it gives us. Do we just talk, or - Oh! Maybe we should sing a little song. He likes our singing."

"I don't think it really matters." David tells her. "I think it's just about Neal hearing our voices."

But Snow is still confused. "Yeah, but how does that work, anyway? Does it go directly into his ears? Does it repeat on a loop?"

Avia shrugs sheepishly at her parents. "We could just ask someone."

David grins, nodding his head at his daughter. "Great idea." They turn to the man standing behind them. "Excuse me. Do you know how this works - I mean, on the other side?"

"No idea." The man admits, looking just as confused as them. "I don't even know if the messages get through." Avia looks at her parents who look back at each other in defeat. "I hope so. Or I've wasted a lot of time these past thirty years."

They turn back to the booth. "Well, that didn't help." Avia mutters.

"Alright, come on." David ushers his wife and daughter into the booth.

"Okay." Snow says, holding back her tears. They step into the booth and grab the phone.


Meanwhile, in the woods, Zelena is following Regina and Robin, still searching for their baby.

"Before we find my daughter, would you do me the courtesy of sharing with me whatever horrid name you've saddled her with?" Zelena exclaims. "Probably something dreadful like Brittany or Nancy or - " Zelena groans. "Oh, no, not Marian!"

Having enough, Robin turns to the witch. "Zelena, I haven't named our child because I need to know her first to find out who she really is, which I haven't been able to do because I've been too busy protecting her from you!"

"You weren't protecting her at all!" Zelena argues. "You just left her so you could go on some heroic quest. I mean, how is saving the savior's sister more important than our child?"

"Helping friends, setting an example of heroism - that is important!"

"You know, Zelena, I used to be just like you." Regina speaks up.

"Oh, please." Zelena rolls her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

"When I was the Evil Queen, I spent every day not giving a damn about anyone." Regina continues. "And in return, no one cared about me. I thought all I needed was my vengeance to keep me warm at night. But then something happened. My enemies became my family. And that's when I finally felt happy. That is why I'm here. They need my help, and when family needs help, you step up."

"In case you've forgotten, there is someone I love who needs my help - my daughter!" Zelena argues, tearfully. "So, if we could get on with finding her, that would be just brilliant!"


Oz / Many Years Ago...

It's night when Hades and Zelena walk through the dark woods.

"What are we doing here?" Zelena asks. "This is where Dorothy first landed in Oz." She recognizes.

Hades begins picking up the scraps in the wreckage. "Sometimes to find someone - " He grabs a bike in the middle of the pile. " - you need the right tools."

"What the hell is that?"

"Oh, right." Hades remembers. "They don't have these in Oz." He proceeds to sit on the bike and begins to ride around. "It's called a bicycle."

"And how is that contraption going to help us find the Scarecrow?"

"Oh, well, here, hop on." He stops the bike. "I'll show you." But Zelena appears hesitant. "Oh, please. Trust me." He begs her, genuinely. With that, Zelena takes a seat on top of the contraption in front of Hades, who lets out a solemn sigh.

"What is it?" She wonders.

"Nothing." He brushes it off, looking back at Zelena. "Are you ready?" Zelena nods. "Alright. Hold on."

Hades takes off on the bike through the forest, ringing the bicycle bell as he goes and causing Zelena to belt out in laughter, clearly enjoying her time. "It's like a broom with wheels!" She laughs.

But as the two continue to ride, they hit a fallen branch which sends them flying, landing on the ground. But they land together, appearing unhurt as they stare, smiling at each other. "It's okay. I've got you." Hades promises. "Would you like to go again?"

"Yes, I'd like to go again!" She says, excitedly. They sit up, breathing heavily. "Now, tell me how this piece of tin is gonna help me find my prey. That loathsome farm girl must have him carefully hidden."

"Simple - This bicycle belongs to Dorothy. Just enchant it, and it will take us right to her." Hades explains. "And the Scarecrow."

As they take a moment staring at the bike, Zelena then waves her hand and uses her magic to enchant it to a green color. The couple then smiles at one another, ready to find their prey.


Underworld / Present...

As Belle carries the baby through the woods, she cautiously looks around, kissing the baby gently on her head, when her name begins being called by familiar voices.

"Belle!?" Regina calls out.

"Belle, is that you!?" Robin yells. Belle searches around trying to find where the voices are coming from. She then turns the corner and in the fog she sees Regina and Robin rushing out towards her. "You have her!?" Robin exclaims, running towards them.

"Hey." Belle says, handing the baby over to Robin. "She's fine. She's fine."

With so much love in his eyes, Robin holds his baby close. "Daddy's got you." He whispers to his baby girl. "Daddy's got you." He kisses her on the head before looking at Belle. "Thank you." He says, gratefully.

"Yes." Belle turns to see Zelena walking towards them, and her face drops with concern. "Thank you."

"Wait. What are you doing here?" Belle wonders.

"Helping them." Zelena tells her.

"She stole your baby." Belle informs Robin.

"My baby - " Zelena corrects her. " - which was stolen from me. And now I'm helping."

"It's alright, Belle." Regina assures her. "She won't hurt anyone."

The baby then begins to cry out loudly while Robin tries to calm her down. Zelena pulls out the bottle she's been carrying from out her coat pocket. "I've got a bottle. Give her to me."

Robin narrows his eyes at the witch, refusing. "No. Give it to me. I'll do it."

"I don't have any magic here, Robin. The worst thing that can happen is some mother-daughter bonding. It's alright. There's nothing nefarious in feeding." She assures, but everyone still appears unsure to trust her.

"Okay, fine." Robin agrees, if it'll calm his baby down. "As soon as she's done you're handing her back."

Robin places the baby into Zelena's arms, and she immediately calms down once Zelena begins to feed her. "There, there, my little sweet pea." Zelena chuckles, as she looks down at the baby with so much love. "There, there. Are you hungry? Yes, you are." Regina, Robin, and Belle start to calm down once they see Zelena's more caring side. "Your mummy knows exactly what you need, doesn't she? Yes, she does." Zelena sighs once the baby is finished feeding and hands the bottle to Robin.

"Okay." Robin says, wanting his baby back in his arms. "That's it. She's done. Hand her back."

Suddenly, electricity begins to spark in Zelena's fingertips, signaling that her magic is returning. "Now, Zelena." Regina demands.

But Zelena refuses. "No, sis. Not now." She cries out furiously. "Not ever!"

With that, she waves her hand and knocks Regina, Robin, and Belle backwards with her magic before taking off with her child.


Back at the loft, Avia is sitting on the couch with Emma and Killian, as their parents stand in front of them, explaining what had happened at the booth.

"You can do that?" Emma questions. "You can talk to the real world?"

"Yes." Snow confirms. "Or...well, no." She shrugs. "I don't know."

"They tried." Avia says, looking sadly at her parents.

"I just need him to hear our voices."

Emma stands, leaving Killian and Avia on the couch. "He will. As soon as we make it back home."

"Emma, when will that be?" Snow wonders. She steps up taking her daughter's hand. "We went through this with you - " She looks down at Avia. " - and with Avia. For all those years, if you girls had just heard our voices would that have made a difference, knowing someone else out there loved you?"

Emma grabs Avia's hand, pulling her up to her side, as they look at their parents with a smile, knowing it would have made all the difference in the world.


Back in the woods, Zelena is hobbling along with the baby in her arms. She struggles to get by with her twisted ankle and lack of magic, crying out as the baby begins to cry as well.

"Oh, this won't do!" She shouts, angrily. Zelena looks down at her daughter, her heart breaking. "Oh, shh. It's okay. It's okay. I'm gonna find us a safe place, yeah?" But the baby continues to cry louder. "What is it, sweet pea?" As the baby moves her head around, Zelena gasps in shock when she sees a bruise on her daughter's cheek. "Oh, no. Oh." She cries. "Oh, no, it's okay. Let Mummy fix it." She attempts to use her magic, but nothing happens. Then suddenly the realization hits. "My magic did this. I did this." She sobs. "I'm sorry."


Oz / Many Years Ago...

Zelena and Hades are still strolling through the woods on the bicycle, soon coming across a house where outside Dorothy waits by a fire.

"There she is." Hades exclaims, stopping the bike. "Go on. This Dorothy's no match for you." Zelena looks back at the man with a wide smile. "I've seen many powerful women in my day, but none as brilliantly wicked as you." He compliments, mesmerized. "Or clever or witty. Or beautiful." As they start to lean in for a kiss, a voice interrupts. They turn back to the house to find the Scarecrow exiting and joining Dorothy. "Go on. You've got this." He encourages.

Zelena hops off the bike, looking at Hades. "Alright. If that Kansas brat gets in my way, we'll see what gingham looks like with blood spatter." She cackles wickedly as she walks away from Hades and over to Dorothy and the Scarecrow. "Give him back!" She demands, loudly.

The Scarecrow gasps. "Oh, no!"

Dorothy stands, ready to fight. "Back off, Witch! You're not taking him from me!" She draws her sword.

Zelena waves her hand, freezing Dorothy. "Yes! Yes, I will."

The Scarecrow jumps from his seat. "What did you do!?" But Zelena gives him no time to react before punching her hand straight into his head and ripping out his brain, killing him instantly, as Dorothy helplessly watches.

"Oh." Zelena smiles down at the brain in her hands.

"I won't let you win!" Dorothy shouts.

"It's too late."

"I'm not afraid of you. Do you worst, but I will never be afraid of you."

"I'm not sure where all this back-talk is coming from." Zelena wonders. "What happened to you in Kansas?" But Dorothy doesn't answer. "Actually, I don't really care, because we're finished. You see, I don't need to kill you, and, believe it or not, I don't want to." She admits, stepping up to a frozen Dorothy. "Because I want every Munchkin, every Quailing, every good witch and bad of Oz to know that the great Dorothy Gale can't protect them. Aww." Zelena grins. "They need to know that you failed, and then, then, my pretty, you'll have nothing." She laughs evilly. "Hades?" Zelena turns around to walk back. "Hades, you were right! She - " But the Lord of the Underworld is no where to be found. "Hades?"


Underworld / Present...

Hidden away in the Underworld's version of her farmhouse, Zelena looks out the window to see Robin, Regina, and Belle approaching.

"Zelena!" Regina calls out.

"Are you in there!?" Robin shouts. "Zelena, enough! It is not safe for you or our child out here!" Zelena looks down at her sleeping baby girl in her arms, still with a bruised cheek.

"Zelena!"

"Zelena!" Belle shouts.

As they approach the front porch, the door opens and Zelena steps out, carrying the baby. "I'm right here." She cries. "It's all my fault." She sobs as she walks down the porch towards them. "I can't protect her. Not down here. Not from him."

"You need to tell us exactly what happened with you and Hades." Robin orders.

"He wants to use her - " Zelena reveals. " - for a spell. For my time-travel spell. He's got the same thirst for vengeance as I do. You know, he had love in his heart. But because of me, it's gone."

"And she's the ingredient." Regina realizes about the baby. "Symbol of innocence."

Zelena cries heavily as she looks down at her baby. "Take her."

"What?" Robin asks, surprised by her request.

"Take her." She insists. "You can protect her, and I can't. My magic's unpredictable. I don't care if you never let me see her again! You have to save her. Regina, please!" Regina stares at her sister, shocked to see this new side of her. "It's more important than what happens to me."

"We'll do everything we can to protect her." Regina promises.

With tears streaming down her face, Zelena looks back down at her baby. "Goodbye, little one. Mummy has to let you go." She places a gentle, shaky kiss onto the baby's bruised cheek before handing her over to Robin.

Zelena turns back around, sobbing, as she hobbles back into the farmhouse with Regina, Belle, and Robin watching in shock.


At the loft, Regina, Belle, and Robin have returned with the baby.

"She has your eyes." Regina gasps, as she looks down at the baby in Robin's arms.

"So, does she have a name yet?" Belle asks.

"No." Robin shakes his head. "Not yet. I can't. Hades can do things with names."

"Like put them on tombstones to keep people from leaving here." Regina adds, bitterly.

Karley gives Avia a sympathetic look as they sit at the breakfast bar next to Michael while Emma and Killian stand from the couch and walk over to where Snow, David, and Belle are sitting at the table. "I don't even think it's wise to keep her in this apartment." Robin says. "I mean, what if Zelena changes her mind?"

"I hate to be the one to offer optimism, but it sounds like she was sincere." Killian tells him.

"She was - " Regina agrees. " - but that doesn't mean what she knows can't come back to bite us. Robin's taking her to the forest."

"Honestly, it's the only place I've ever felt really at home." Robin admits.

Suddenly, footsteps are heard above, and they all turn to see Nick running down the stairs. "It happened! It happened again!" He hands over the storybook page to David. Michael, Karley, and Avia walk up to get a better look.

"Snow, look at this." David shows Snow the pages.

"It's Neal." Snow smiles as the sight of her son.

"Why did you write this?" David asks Nick, as he hands Emma one of the pages for herself and Avia to look at.

"It's like before." Nick tells him. "I didn't, or I just don't remember. It just wrote itself. Like it does."

"'The infant son of Snow White and Prince Charming looked up at the tiny glass unicorns as they stirred by the wind.'" Emma reads. "'But on this night, he didn't hear the chime of the crystal. Instead, he heard the voices of his mother, Snow White, and his father, Prince Charming.'" Avia looks at her parents tearful smiles. "'They sang a lullaby until he fell asleep as soundly as if he were in their arms.'"

"It worked." Avia smiles at her parents. "He heard you."

Snow sighs, relieved, as she grabs Emma and Avia's hands into her own. "He heard us." She whispers.

"Thanks, Nick." David says, gratefully.

"I don't know about anyone else, but I am really ready to get back home to my family - " Snow looks at her daughters. " - my whole family. No more waiting. We can save ourselves." She says, confidently. "We're going to take down Hades, and we're going to do it now."


In the middle the main street, near the fallen clock tower, Hades appears to be waiting himself. He looks out into the street with a look of determination.


Oz / Many Years Ago...

Zelena has returned to Emerald City and is making her way back through her palace.

"There you are." She exclaims, finding Hades setting up a rather fancy table. "What's this?"

As Hades holds out two candles, he gives her a smile before blowing on the candles to make them light. "Dinner. To celebrate."

"You saw?" Zelena assumes, gleefully.

"Of course I saw. You were wonderful. I knew you'd succeed." He walks over to one of the chairs. "Come. Sit."

Zelena walks up, joining him at the table. "So is this also a farewell dinner before you return?" She asks, somberly.

"No. I'm not going back to the Underworld, Zelena."

"But you said you needed - " The Wicked Witch then realizes what this means, and smiles. "Oh."

"Yes." Hades confirms.

"So, you think that you and me are - "

"True love." Zelena looks up at the man. "You can't tell me you don't feel something, too."

Zelena smiles, standing up to face him. "Yes, but we just met."

"I know, I know." Hades helps her sit back down before he kneels down in front of her. "But when we were on that bicycle - " He takes her hand. " - and I had my arms around you, I felt something I haven't felt in eons. My - " He sighs. " - My heart fluttered. Just for a moment. And I truly believe once we kiss my heart will start again. I'll be free. And we can be together."

Zelena starts to believe this at first, but when Hades begins to lean in for a kiss, she backs away. "No!" She exclaims, standing up and walking away.

"No?" Hades questions, puzzled. "What?"

"How could I be so stupid!?"

"What - What are you talking about?"

Zelena chuckles. "I almost believed you."

"It's the truth. I promise!"

"You want me to kiss you to free you from the Underworld! And then you'll have the power to steal this brain and enact my time-travel spell - for you! And only you!" Zelena sighs in disbelief. "Because that's what I would do." She admits.

"No."

"You want revenge and until you get it, you will never be satisfied." Zelena continues to convince herself. "You need this spell. You need to go back to beat your brother, just like I need to go back to beat my sister! Love is not enough!"

"No, Zelena." Hades continues to try and convince Zelena that she is wrong. "I don't want that anymore. I want you." He walks closer to her as she looks away. "I love you."

But Zelena shakes her head, allowing her tears to fall. "No one could love me." She looks up, glaring at Hades. "But if you did, you wouldn't want to take away my best chance at revenge." Hades looks down, shamefully. "Go back to your brimstone. I never want to see your face again."

Hades, who is now angry, backs away, narrowing his eyes at the Wicked Witch. "You will regret this, Zelena."

He then disappears in a puff of blue smoke, leaving Zelena to wonder just that.


Underworld / Present...

Still on Main Street, Hades is still standing when a voice calls out to him.

"Hello, Hades." Through the fog, Hades watches as Zelena limps towards him.

"Zelena." He begins to walk towards her. "You know, I was looking for you."

"You were looking for my baby." She points out. "I was just a happy accident."

"Yes." Hades chuckles. "Yes, you were. But when I heard you fell through my little portal I really was looking for you."

"I know. I thought I'd make it easy. I know that you want my child for your time-travel spell." She says, furiously. "If you touch her, I will demolish you!" Zelena raises her hand to form magic.

But Hades stops her. "There's no need for that. I wouldn't hurt you. I never would've hurt you." Zelena lowers her hand. "That's the thing about true love. It endures. It can't be broken."

Zelena shakes her head, tearfully. "What? So, sending Rumplestiltskin after my daughter had nothing to do with revenge on your brother?"

"Zelena - " Hades sighs. " - I was trying to rescue her from those miserable heroes for you. I didn't know you were there."

Zelena smiles, shaking her head in disbelief. "Despite everything I've done, you've loved me all this time?"

Hades laughs. "Look around you. I mean, aren't you curious why this - this place looks like Storybrooke?" Zelena looks around. "I did it for you! I saw how much you wanted to cast the Dark Curse to get everything your sister had."

"You made me my very own Storybrooke?"

Hades laughs. "I gave you what you wanted, what she had. It's not perfect." He admits. "The Underworld is a place of - " He looks at the broken clock tower. " - well, destruction. Despite my best intentions, things don't grow here. They decay. But it's our decay. Zelena - " He approaches closer to the emotional Wicked Witch. " - wouldn't it be nice to not be alone anymore?" He asks, taking her hand. After all these years, I still choose you. What better revenge is there than having it all?"

Zelena chuckles, tearfully. "But I had it all. And then I gave them back my baby because I thought that you wanted to hurt her!"

"Well, then, we'll just have to go back and get her, won't we?"

As much as Zelena knows now that Hades truly loves her, she still couldn't trust him. "No!" She exclaims, backing away. "No! I want to trust you. I do."

"But you still can't. I understand."

"I'm sorry." Zelena cries. "It's too much. I will get my daughter back. And I'll do it all on my own." She then turns around and begins to walk away.

"April 15th." Hades calls out, stopping her.

Zelena turns around to face him with a look of confusion. "What?"

"Your birthday." He reveals what she's wanted to learn all her life. "Just thought you might want to know."

"How do you know that?"

"Tortured it out of a miller's daughter." He chuckles. "Don't worry. I took care of her, too. For you." He walks closer to her. "I know you don't need me. You don't need anyone. But if you change your mind and decide you want me, I'll be waiting for you at home. Just like I always have."

Hades then poofs away in a cloud of blue smoke, leaving Zelena to look around and find herself, once again, alone.