Hyperion Heights, Present Day
The emergency room doors burst open. A team of paramedics rushed Lucy into the hospital as Jacinda clutched her daughter's hand - the worried mother then tried to soothe her unconscious little girl.
"Mama's right here, baby. I'm right here. It's gonna be fine. We're almost there."
New Enchanted Forest, Years Ago
Henry held a baby in his arms, trying to soothe her cries. A proud smile then overtook his features as he introduced his daughter: "I'd like you all to meet... Lucy."
Hook, Tiana, and Jack gazed upon the baby girl with bright smiles and joyous claps. With a tilt of his head, Jack then spoke, "That is amazing. Henry Mills is a father."
Tiana then added, "Congratulations. She looks strong."
Henry glanced back down at his precious baby before he looked back up and questioned, "Uh, where's my mom? She should be here by now?"
He then turned around at the sound of Drizella's voice: "Oh, Regina's fine. She's just a little detained." His expression - as well as those of his friends - formed somewhere between surprise and horror.
Jack pulled out his sword while Tiana held her hand over the hilt of hers. Henry's hold became more protective as he warned the witch: "Stay away from my daughter."
Drizella condescendingly began: "Such a worried papa. No need to be. I'm only here to deliver a message. Well, more accurately, a prophecy," her tone shifting to that of a warning as she continued, "A curse is coming. On your darling child's 8th birthday, all your lives as you know them will end."
Each of them slowly moved closer to her. Hook then unsheathed his sword and pointed out, "Perhaps you misread the prophecy, love, because you missed the part where we defeat you."
Drizella seethed as she lifted her hands and prepared to unleash her magical wrath. Henry then cautioned, "Drizella, I wouldn't. Look down," glancing at the ground where she stood as he wore a smug smile.
Hook wore a similar smile as he sheathed his sword - as Drizella began turning into stone.
With a sharp exhale, she spoke, "This is blood magic. How is this possible?" Disbelief clouded every part of her features, as well as her voice.
Lady Tremaine then strolled up and bragged, "With a spatter of my blood, of course. I simply can't have you casting the curse, dear," as Jack returned his blade.
Disbelief shifted to determination as Drizella warned all of them: "This changes nothing. In eight years, I'll be back, and you'll learn what true suffering is."
She then moved her hands as though attempting one final spell when her transformation completed. She now stood a statue.
Eight Years Later
In the palace courtyard, Tiana clinked a glass and began, "Thank you all for coming," looking around at Regina, Hook, and Henry, who stood near the end of a long table. The table was covered with gifts, as well as a three-tiered birthday cake.
She then looked toward Lucy and continued, "To celebrate the birthday of a special little girl." Ella wore a smile as she stood beside her daughter, while Jack and Alena stood on the other side of Tiana, wearing smiles of their own.
Tiana then surveyed her family once more as she happily finished, "And to remember how lucky we are to live in a time of peace and prosperity."
"Thank you, Aunt Tiana," Lucy began as she beamed. She then corrected, "I mean, Queen Tiana," as she offered a bow.
Ella and Tiana chuckled before the little girl exclaimed, "Oh! Can I light the candles?"
Regina then interjected, "Oh, no, that's my job," lighting the candles with a flick of her wrist, "Now, make a wish."
Lucy began blowing out the candles when they suddenly extinguished. The sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and heavy clouds moved in.
Over the thunder, Hook called out, "What the bloody hell is that?" pulling out his sword - as Henry and Jack did the same. Ella placed a protective arm around her daughter.
Alena cast a worried look toward the sky as she bemused, "Nothing good." She then took a deep breath and produced a fireball.
Gothel appeared in the courtyard - as though she landed from the sky. Jack placed his free arm as a shield in front of his girlfriend.
As she strolled around, Gothel taunted, "Look at all this. Cake, presents, family. Did you really think this would be a day of celebration?
With their swords still drawn, Henry, Hook, and Jack moved toward the witch. The flames in Alena's palm grew hotter as she spotted her brother's terrified expression, and she found herself stepping forward as well - despite her love's slightly exasperated look.
Hook then warned Gothel: "Don't try anything, love. There's no way you can fight all of us alone."
"Who says I'm alone?" she told him with a smug smile. Thunder cracked, and black hooded creatures then appeared all around Drizella's statue - just as Regina rushed forward.
The creatures changed Drizella back into a human, and she collapsed on the ground. Disbelief echoed across Regina's features as she spoke, "That's impossible. Blood magic can't be broken."
"Not by any single person, but together, this family can do anything," Gothel pointed out. She then walked over to where Drizella still sat.
She placed a hand on the young woman's cheek and told her, "Come, Drizella. In days, here, the prophecy shall be fulfilled. Your curse will be cast. The suffering shall begin."
A victorious smile appeared on Drizella's face while everyone else looked on with immense worry and fear - as well as anger. She and Gothel - as well as the remainder of the creatures - vanished.
Henry then rushed over to his wife and daughter and put his arm around both of them - very much fearful of what fate awaited them next.
"Why in the bloody hell did Henry suggest that sleeping is a good idea when Drizella is casting the damn dark curse?" Alena complained as she climbed into bed beside Jack.
He moved some of her blonde hair off her shoulder before he reasoned, "I mean, it does give Regina time to go and get Zelena, and it gives him and Ella a chance to come up with a good plan to protect Lucy."
Alena sighed before she looked over at him. She then told him, "I think you're being a little too calm," raising an eyebrow at him.
Jack offered her a teasing smile as he said, "Well, someone has to be the voice of reason when you're in 'Hurricane Alena' mode."
She rolled her eyes at him before she elbowed him in the side. He rubbed at the spot before he told her, "And now I have another bruise."
He paused to take a breath before he seriously continued, "Look, I know you're worried about your family and this curse. I'm worried, too - the last thing I want is to be ripped away from my home and the people who feel like my family, too."
Alena sighed once more before she leaned on her elbow to face him. She then lamented, "I know we'll find a way to beat this thing. I mean, we have to, right? But I have no idea how we're gonna do it. Or how long it'll take to figure it out - because if everyone's cursed, they won't be able to help."
Jack kissed her forehead as he assured her, "If there's one thing I know, it's that your stubbornness and determination - which can be a little infuriating - runs in the family. Adoptive, half, honorary or otherwise. If there is a way, you guys are gonna find it."
Alena smiled softly at him as she leaned over to kiss his forehead. She then told him, "Thanks, Jack. You always have a way of making me feel better."
He smiled back at her as he said, "I mean, I try at least. I just want to be there for you."
"I know," Alena sweetly replied, kissing his forehead once more. She then sighed and dejectedly spoke, "I just wish there was something I could do," plopping back on her pillow.
"I think all we can do is just help Henry and Ella the best we can before the curse hits - or until Regina and Zelena find a way to stop it," Jack told her, propping himself on his elbow.
With another sigh, Alena said, "I know, but I can't stand doing nothing when my family's in danger."
"And while that is one of the things I love about you," Jack began, trailing his free hand up and down her arm, "I think we probably do need to get some sleep if we want to help come up with a plan."
Alena nodded at him. She then took a breath and told him, "But can we at least talk about something happy first? I can't sleep when I'm this angsty."
Jack kissed the side of her head before he offered, "Yeah, I think that we can manage that."
He then furrowed his brows in thought for a few moments. He then suggested, "You could tell me something I don't know about your life back home."
Alena tilted her head as she pointed out, "At this point, I'm not sure there's anything you don't know."
Jack chuckled before he told her, "I mean, that's probably true, but I'm sure you can think of something."
With a roll of her eyes, Alena told him, "Aren't you supposed to be helping me, Jack?"
With a grin, he said, "What do you think I'm doing?" She shook her head before he continued, "I just thought that since you love stories so much, you could find a way to tell me something new."
Alena tilted her head once more as she considered his words. She took a breath and spoke, "Henry's a much better storyteller than I am. Even my dad is pretty good at it. So basically, it skipped me on both sides."
Jack shook his head at her before he told her, "I don't think that's true, Blondie. When we first met, and we were just talking and getting to know each other, you were so, I don't know, passionate and excited when you talked about the things you loved. And I loved it, too - even if I didn't know it."
Alena smiled at him as she said, "As I recall, you said I was cute - but then you turned into an awkward mess."
He shook his head once more before he pointed out, "It's not as though you were much better. You ran into a tree after I had told you that."
"Exactly! It was your fault!" Alena argued. She then continued, "You were the one distracting me with you being all awkward - only to call me out and make me blush when I mentioned it…"
Alena trailed off when Jack started to laugh. She then crossed her arms and posed, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Do you even really have to ask?" Jack told her, a teasing smile written across his features.
She shook her head as she told him, "You are so ridiculous." He only shrugged in response.
Alena then let out a yawn as she stretched her arms over her head. She then caressed her boyfriend's cheek and told him, "I guess you managed to distract me enough."
Jack offered a soft smile as he told her, "That was the idea, and I'm glad it worked."
She smiled back at him as she ran her fingers through his hair. She then took a breath and spoke, "I'm sure we'll find a way to stop this curse - or at least break it."
He hummed in reply before he placed a sweet and comforting kiss on her forehead. He then asked her, "Ready to go to sleep?"
She nodded before she told him, "Night, Jack," letting out another yawn.
"Night, Blondie," he replied with a small smile. He then rolled over on his side and pulled the covers to his chin.
Alena watched him for a few moments before she stretched out on her back, fluttering her eyes closed and settling in for the night.
Several hours later, Alena and Jack slept soundly when a stream of light illuminated in the room.
The blonde soon began tossing and turning as the light disrupted her slumber. She then sat up and wondered, "What is that?" her voice barely rising above a whisper.
Once her eyes had adjusted, she realized the light came from her. Or more specifically, her necklace.
From beside her, she then heard Jack grumble, "Alena, why are you using magic in the middle of the night?"
"It isn't me. It's my necklace," she explained, her voice still a bit groggy.
"Your necklace?" he repeated before he slowly moved to a sitting position and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He then asked her, "Why is it glowing?"
"I…don't know," Alena slowly admitted as she tilted her head. She then caught sight of something and observed, "But it's lighting up a path. Like it wants me to follow it."
Jack rubbed the back of his head as he questioned, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I didn't say I would follow it," Alena tried to protest, only to receive a raised eyebrow from her boyfriend.
"You don't have to say it because I know you're thinking it," he pointed out. He then took a breath and continued, "What if it's a trick from Drizella?" his brown eyes filling with concern.
Alena squeezed his arm as she reassured him, "This is light magic - I can feel it. We don't have anything to worry about."
He nodded at her before she said, "And it feels important, so I'm gonna go check it out. Whatever this is, I know it matters."
She squeezed his arm once more before she turned away from him and grabbed the boots sitting beside the bed.
When she finished lacing up the shoes, she stood up and turned around, her eyes darting to the lighted path.
She then glanced over at Jack and saw that he had pulled his pants on over his nightshirt. "You're coming with me?" she then curiously asked him.
He rubbed the back of his head before he told her, "I know you don't necessarily need me, but I just want to be there when you find out what that is," gesturing toward the light.
Alena smiled at him as she said, "I wasn't going to argue with you - I'm glad you'll be there."
Jack offered her a sweet smile in response. He then found his own boots by the bed and quickly put them on.
Alena then asked him, "Ready?" "Almost," he replied before he began searching for something.
He soon found a lantern and picked it up. He gestured toward her necklace and surmised, "I doubt that will be much help on the way back," moving to stand beside her.
She couldn't help but chuckle before she took his other hand in hers and entwined their fingers. She then pulled him toward the door.
They quietly made their way down the hall. As they walked, Jack let out a soft chuckle.
Alena gave him a strange look as she asked him, "What's funny?"
"I was thinking about how it's kind of funny that you didn't argue with me about coming with you," he told her with a grin.
She rolled her eyes before she defended, "I don't always argue." She then paused and added, "And when I do, you make it worse."
Jack only shrugged as he said, "It is pretty fun getting under your skin," offering her a teasing smile.
With another eye roll, Alena deadpanned, "Very funny." He then playfully nudged her shoulder with his.
They then came to the main palace door. Jack released Alena's hand and pulled on the handle.
Alena raised an eyebrow at him as she asked him, "Now you're the doting boyfriend?" a teasing lilt to her tone.
"When I want to be," he teasingly threw back at her. She shook her head in response.
They two of them stopped outside. Jack entwined their fingers once more before they both focused on the lit path in front of them.
"Well, it looks like we're heading toward the woods," Alena surmised, placing her free hand on her hip. She couldn't help but grin as she added, "Maybe there won't be any ogres or flying arrows."
Jack chuckled before he said, "Yeah, maybe this little adventure won't be quite as, uh, life-threatening."
Alena chuckled as well before she offered, "Well, there's one way to find out." Jack nodded before the pair of them headed into the woods.
As they walked among the various trees and bushes, Alena began to shake - and it wasn't just from the chill in the air.
Jack wrapped his arm around her and settled his hand on her waist. He kissed the top of her head before he asked her, "Everything alright?"
With a sigh, Alena began, "Yeah, I'm fine," her fingers grazing the chain of her necklace. She took a breath before she continued, "I know I don't have to be worried because it's light magic, but it feels…life-changing, you know? And it's slightly terrifying - especially since I don't know what to expect."
Jack hummed in reply as he squeezed her waist. A small smile appeared on his face as he surmised, "It's probably just as terrifying and unexpected as falling in love."
Alena smiled and leaned into him as she said, "Yeah, it is - I just came here to visit my brother. Finding someone to spend my life with definitely wasn't part of my plan."
Her smile grew as she added, "And I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"I wouldn't either," Jack agreed with a smile of his own. He kissed her head once more before he told her, "And wherever this light is taking us, I think we'll feel the same way."
A grin spread across Alena's features as she spoke, "You know, I think me and my family's optimism has rubbed off on you."
"Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later," Jack replied with a shrug. She shook her head in response.
A comfortable silence then settled between them as they continued their trek through the trees.
Jack ran his hand up and down Alena's side, a thoughtful expression on his face. He then spoke, "Look, I know that I was the one reassuring you, and me asking this probably isn't gonna help," pausing to take a breath, "But can you guys really beat this?"
Alena took a deep breath before she told him, "I spent my entire life hearing stories about all the villains and curses my family had defeated, and I thought it was the most amazing thing because they weren't just stories," a smile making its way across her features.
She then paused before she continued, "And I realized that my family always succeeded because they did it together - because that's what it means to be a family. And Drizella and Gothel aren't gonna know what hit them."
Jack smiled brightly at her before he stopped in front of her. He then pulled her in for a kiss. She smiled into it before she wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head to deepen the kiss.
When they pulled away a few moments later, they rested their foreheads against each other. Alena then spoke, "We should probably keep going."
"Yeah, we probably should," Jack agreed before he stepped away. He then took hold of her hand, and they turned their attention back to the lighted path - only to realize it stopped a few feet in front of them.
"So, I guess we're here," Jack observed before he took a look around him. He didn't have a chance to figure out exactly where they were because Alena started pulling him to the end of the path.
When they reached it, Alena pointed and spoke, "Those are the flowers I noticed when I came through the portal. This is where it was."
Before Jack could say anything, both of them heard a female voice: "Yes, it was. Since your life has changed so much since arriving here, I thought it would be a fitting place to tell you how you will change the lives of your family."