New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

Rumplestiltskin - having reverted to his Dark One alter-ego - giggled as he spun straw at his wheel. He stopped when Hook approached him and began to speak.

"Rumplestiltskin, we need your help. Gothel has freed Drizella. The prophecy is coming true. Surely you've got some kind of magic that can delay this curse. Or give us more time."

"Well…I do have this," he began before a small sculpture appeared in his hand with a flourish. Hook reached for it, but Rumple snatched it away.

"A white elephant. Are you familiar with the expression? A name we give to things who have outlived their useful lives, and yet persist. And I find that personally quite moving."

Fed up, Hook snatched the elephant and demanded, "Enough games! Will this help delay the curse or not?"

"Delay it? What a novel idea, dearie. Nothing can delay it. But when the curse comes, that can keep your most precious relationship intact," Rumple explained as he gestured with his hands.

The pirate looked down at the elephant and whispered, "Alice." He then looked back up and questioned, "So we will remember who we are?"

As though the answer were obvious, Rumple pointed out, "No. Your memories will be replaced," pausing before he continued, "But in the random tumult of the curse, it ensures you will still be father and daughter."

"You're doing this for me?" Hook questioned, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

With a giggle, Rumple clarified, "I'm doing it for her," pointing somewhere behind the pirate. Hook then turned around and spied his daughter standing by a tree.

"Alice?" he then spoke before he walked over to her. She disappeared behind the tree before Hook asked her: "Are you sure this is still where you want to be?"

Alice peeked out and answered, "Knowing what he gave up for me, I owe it to him to stay by his side. And who knows," shrugging and glancing upwards, "maybe our cursed memories will be better."

Hook looked down at the white elephant before he conceded, "Fewer trees and walls in the way," a brief - and small - smile making its way across his face.

"Yes," Alice agreed with a small smile of her own. She then looked off to the side and her expression grew somber.

"But, Papa, when this happens, I will lose her."

Hook then reassured her, "No, don't say that, love. Don't. True love can win out over so much more."

A small appeared over Alice's features once more as she spoke, "I hope so." She then placed a letter by the tree and requested, "Please give this to her for me."

The letter read "My Love" across the front, and Hook picked it up as Alice continued, "I don't have one for you, but you already know how I feel."

Though they tried to remain hopeful, they couldn't help the sorrow that settled in their hearts - they knew their time ran short.

Hook then tried to assure her: "I'll deliver it. But I'm gonna do my best to make sure that nothing parts any of us."

"I hope that's enough," Alice told him before she stated, "Take it." He looked at his daughter one last time before he walked away.

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

After driving a rental car from the airport, Henry and Alena - with her holding tightly to the twins' hands - rushed into the hospital. He stopped abruptly and looked around frantically.

"Where are they? I have to find them."

"Henry, it'll be okay," Alena reassured him as she placed a hand on his arm. He let out a deep breath before he nodded.

"Yeah, yeah, Lucy'll be fine - she has to be," he began. He then said, "I'm just gonna go check and make sure that she is."

He then asked, "Are you guys coming, too?"

Alena shook her head before she explained, "You need to be with them right now. And I don't want to overwhelm Jacinda."

"Okay, yeah, you're probably right," Henry told her. He then sighed and said, "I'll, uh, catch up with you later, I guess."

Henry then began walking off when Emma and Lily wrapped their arms around his legs.

"Lucy be otay!" Lily exclaimed, followed by her sister, "Her mommy and dotor make it better."

Henry couldn't help but smile - a small one but a smile nonetheless. He then hugged them back before they pulled away.

They waved as he resumed walking up one of the long hospital hallways.

Emma and Lily then looked up and simultaneously asked, "Where going, Mommy?"

Alena thought for a few moments before she bent down on their level. She then told them, "We're gonna go find a playroom to play in while we wait for Lucy, okay?"

"How long take?" Emma curiously asked, her brown eyes going wide. Lily furiously nodded her head in agreement.

Though dread settled in Alena's heart and mind over her niece's mysterious illness, she put on a smile for her precious girls. She then assured them: "I'm sure it'll be soon, okay?"

"Otay, Mommy!" Lily answered as though nothing were wrong. Emma then piped in: "Lucy otay!"

It was times like these where Alena envied her girls' innocence. Where nothing was complicated, and everything was certain to turn out okay.

She then took a breath before she spoke, "She will be. Let's go play, okay?"

The girls nodded excitedly as Alena took their hands. She looked at the signs up ahead and read off the various floors until she spied what she needed. She then led her twins down one of the hallways.

As they walked, Emma and Lily started humming, smiling as they did so. They soon started adding the words: "Day prince come. Meet again at castle. Happy ever!"

Their voices became louder and louder, and Alena put her finger to her lip and told them, "We sing quietly in the hospital, okay?"

"Why?" Lily asked curiously.

"Well, sweetie," she began, "Lots of people are sick, and they're sleeping."

"Sleeping," Emma repeated. Lily then added, "Quiet." Alena offered them a sweet smile before she ruffled their hair.

They continued singing in exaggerated whispers until they caught sight of the playroom. They then practically dragged Alena toward the brightly colored room.

Before the blonde could react, her girls had plowed into a woman making her way up the hallway - causing her to spill her cup of water. Alena's eyes widened when she realized it was Victoria Belfry.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Belfry! Emma and Lily were a little too excited," Alena apologized before she gave her girls a stern look.

"I sorry, Miss Befry," Emma said, and Lily soon added, "Sorry! Not mean."

Victoria took a deep breath as she wiped down her clothes with a handkerchief. She then assured the young girls: "It's alright, girls. I know you didn't mean it."

Both girls profusely nodded. Lily then chimed in, "Mommy boss? Friend, too?"

Though it took a moment for Victoria to decipher the three-year-old's question, she soon answered, "I am your mommy's boss, and I do believe we're friends as well."

Alena raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing as her daughters clapped happily. Emma then questioned, "Be our friend, too? Love make friends."

Victoria smiled at the twins. She then told them, "I would like to be your friend," earning claps and wide smiles.

Lily then looked at her mother and asked, "Play, Mommy?"

"Yes, you can go play. Mommy will be there in just a minute, okay?" Alena replied as she bent down on their level.

They cheered before they ran into the playroom. They quickly found a set of blocks and began happily building.

Alena then turned her attention to her, er, former boss. She then surmised, "Thank you for being gracious with them - it isn't always easy to contain their excitement."

"It's no matter," Victoria began. She then cleared her throat and said, "Besides, they are rather endearing."

The blonde couldn't help but smile at the compliment. She then took a deep breath and began to speak.

However, she was soon interrupted, "Don't bother with your surprise. I know what you think of me as a mother, but I love my girls just as much as you do."

In an unusual occurrence, Alena was left speechless - though she couldn't say she was entirely surprised. With another deep breath, she then spoke, "I'm not intentionally doubting you - you just don't seem to have the easiest relationship with your daughter - or stepdaughter, for that matter."

"Which is no fault of mine," Victoria refuted as she crossed her arms. Alena resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

She then said, "But you're here for Lucy. I'm sure Jacinda appreciates it." Her eyebrows then knitted in concern, and she asked, "Do you know how she is? Will she be okay?"

"I'm sure Lucy is in capable hands," Victoria stated dismissively. She then cleared her throat and said, "I have to go check on my daughter. She's still adjusting after her ordeal."

With furrowed eyebrows, Alena questioned, "Ordeal? Is something wrong with Ivy?"

Victoria sighed before she explained, "Ivy is perfectly fine. I meant my daughter, Anastasia."

An expression that bordered between thoughtful and confused appeared across Alena's features. Her time in the New Enchanted Forest entered her memory.

She could have sworn Ella mentioned her stepsister, Anastasia, passing away when they were still girls. How in the bloody hell could she still be alive?

However, she soon shook her head from her thoughts. She then reasoned, "I didn't know Ivy had a sister. Is she okay?"

Victoria narrowed her eyes at the young woman before she let out a scoff. She then told her, "You can drop the act, Alena. I know all about your little ruse."

Alena's blue eyes widened. She attempted to gather her thoughts before she tried to defend: "I'm…uh, not sure what you mean. I don't have…anything to hide."

"Oh, please," Victoria chided. She then conceded, "Though I do have to commend you on how you carried yourself, it was more than clear that your connection to Jacinda and Lucy - as well as Henry - was more than friendship. Especially considering that you had only just met them."

Alena let out a deep breath as she considered her words. She then stated, "Henry is my brother, and his family is my family. I will always want to protect them."

Victoria regarded her for a few moments. She then began, "I have no doubt that you would." She then glanced in the playroom before she set her gaze back on her former employee.

She then continued, "No matter what it may cost you."

Alena balled up her fists as she pointed out, "You don't know anything about me or my life. Don't act like you do."

"What I do know, Miss Swan-Jones, is that you are stuck here watching your family - and your husband - flail around in this pathetic curse Drizella cast to earn some sort of validation. It's quite sad, really," Victoria replied as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Alena crossed her arms as well as she argued, "It's only sad until I find a way to break this curse. And then I will be back with Henry, Ella, and the rest of my family - including my boyfriend. And you - or Drizella - or Mother Gothel are not gonna stop me."

Instead of a scoff - or some sort of quip - the blonde remained surprised when her former boss only stared with her eyes narrowed.

She then commented, "Tell me, Miss Swan-Jones, does your unshakable confidence have anything to do with your abilities? Abilities that only a select few in this world possess?"

"I…uh…what?" Alena stammered. She then took a long and slow breath before she slightly lowered her voice and questioned: "I do have magic - but how could you possibly know that?"

Victoria scoffed once again. She then said, "That question is almost as ridiculous as you suggesting I would actually work with Drizella or Gothel."

Alena rolled her eyes. She then opened her mouth to speak when Victoria interjected, "And though I do find it absurd, I'll answer your question - it is that confidence that gave you away. You wouldn't be so sure of yourself unless you actually believed you could succeed."

With a quirk of her eyebrow, the blonde surmised, "I'm not sure if I should feel insulted or complimented." She then squared her shoulders and pointed out, "And I can promise you that I'm not blowing hot air - or being irrational - I know exactly who I'm dealing with, and I can - and will - face whatever they have to throw at me. And I won't give up."

"Of that, I have no doubt," Victoria stated. She then narrowed her eyes and issued a warning: "You still shouldn't underestimate Drizella - she can be rather volatile."

"Believe me, I know," Alena muttered. She then took a breath and spoke, "Even so, my family's lives are at stake, and I'm not stopping until all of them are safe - and together."

"It seems that stubbornness really is a family trait," Victoria wryly commented. She then

noted, "But I understand your instincts to protect your family - especially your little girls. I made the same choice when I chose to save Anastasia at the cost of Lucy's belief…"

"You what?!" Alena demanded. Her fists balled as she yelled, "You are the reason she's in here!? That Jacinda and Henry and everyone else who cares about her is going through hell right now! Regardless of the fact that she's your granddaughter, she is still a child! How in the hell could you do that?!"

A few nurses and passersby turned their attention to the women. Victoria quickly waved them off before she turned to the blonde and seethed, "Don't make a scene."

Alena still fumed, so Victoria refuted, "You have no right to be self-righteous, Alena. If one of your girls were in danger, don't tell me you wouldn't do whatever it takes to ensure their safety."

"I would never risk someone else's life just to make sure I was happy. What kind of person would that make me?" Alena posed, gesturing to herself.

"Someone who is realistic," Victoria stated. She then dismissively waved her hand and said, "I don't have time for any more of your quips about my life. I have to take care of my daughter - especially since Weaver has decided to gauge her Guardianship powers with a test involving the Dagger."

She then marched off down the hallway, her high heels clicking every step of the way.

This information regarding Rumple's Dagger barely registered with Alena. She let out an agitated sigh and ran her fingers through her hair. Just when she thought she couldn't despise Victoria Belfry anymore, she pulls something like this.

"Ugh!" she groaned before she sank against the wall. She was so bloody tired of being separated from her loved ones, of this damn curse ruining everything, and of her never-ending battles.

But when she heard her girls' laughter - Jack's laughter - from the playroom, it gave her the strength she needed. She still wasn't entirely sure how, but she would beat this. And when Regina and Zelena returned, they would do everything they could to find a way to do just that.

She then took a calming breath and joined her daughters in the playroom.

In her hospital room, Lucy still lied still as the monitor continued to beep - no change had occurred. Jacinda watched her daughter through the window when Henry rushed up to her.

"Hey. I came as soon as I got your message," he told her, placing a comforting hand on her arm.

She immediately turned to him and cried on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. He cupped the back of her head as his gaze lingered on the still little girl.

Soon after, they stood by Lucy's bedside. Jacinda rubbed her daughter's hand as she lamented, "She's so still right now. It's not right," as she glanced back at Henry.

He then said, "She's a great kid," earning a nod from Jacinda, "I just wish I could do more." A sadness came through his tone because he so desperately wanted to help.

Jacinda's face lit up as she suggested, "Well, maybe you could read to her." She then walked over to her bags as Henry curiously watched her.

She then returned and held out Henry's book: "From the second she saw the book you wrote, she needed to have it. Whenever she looked at it, it gave her strength."

Lucy's still form flashed for a few moments before Henry offered Jacinda a smile. He then agreed, "Yeah, okay."

With a sigh, he then spoke, "I know exactly what part to read, too." Jacinda then exhaled as a hopeful expression enveloped over her features.

She and Henry then entwined their fingers and held hands, with her running her thumb over his.

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

A motorcycle revved as Henry approached with Lucy hanging onto him from the back. Once he came to a stop, he carefully slid his little girl onto the ground before he climbed out.

They then walked to a nearby tree, with him leading her along. They stopped in front of it before he told her, "This is the oldest part of this realm...the original Enchanted Forest. This tree has the same magic that took my mom to Storybrooke," bending down to be on her level as he placed his hand on her arm.

Both curious and excited, Lucy then asked, "How did you find this one tree with so many regular trees around it?"

Footsteps then approached, and they both spun around to look. Henry wore a smile as a familiar face stopped in front of them - he then explained, "I had some help from an old friend. Lucy, this is Tiger Lily. She's from Neverland, and she's a fairy."

"Pleased to meet you," Lucy began with a smile. She then tilted her head and asked, "Aren't you the fairy that told Aunt Alena and Jack that she's going to help break the curse?"

"Indeed I am," Tiger Lily confirmed. She then smiled and added, "And I'm pleased to meet you, Lucy."

The fairy then addressed Henry: "I found Geppetto's axe. I think this should be up to the task," as she took the bag of her shoulder. She then pulled the ax out of it.

His voice betrayed his slight apprehensiveness as he spoke, "Yeah."

Fear and worry overtook Lucy as she fretted, "What are you going to do? Why are you cutting it down?"

"Okay. Lucy, remember the wardrobe?" Henry tried to explain - only for Lucy to protest: "No. No!"

Tiger Lily then stepped aside so Henry could reassure his little girl. "Lucy, it's okay. It's okay. This will keep us safe. When the curse happens, you and I go to the Land Without Magic before it hits. Then we find our people. And with this book," running his hands along the brown and gold book that Lucy held in her hand, "we can help them believe again."

Tiger Lily then walked back up and told him, "It'll be dark soon. You should get to work."

"Okay," Henry answered before he asked her, "Take Lucy to your place to sleep, okay?"

He then turned back to his daughter, who was about to protest. Tiger Lily rubbed Lucy's arms as Henry reassured her, "It's okay. It's okay. Just believe in me."

Lucy then wrapped him in a hug, and he hugged her back with his free arm. He held the ax with the other.

He then nodded toward Tiger Lily. When Lucy let go, the fairy led her away. Henry watched them for a few moments before he took the guard off the ax and headed over to the tree. He glanced back in their direction one more time before he started to swing.

A few hours later, darkness spread across the realm - and it had nothing to with night falling. Henry still swung at the tree.

The wind howled, and magic - dark magic - hung in the air. He then started to run across the forest.

He soon arrived at Tiger Lily's and burst through the wooden door, latching it shut once he was inside. He then ran over to Lucy and began to shake her awake.

"Wake up. Wake up. Wake up."

Lucy groggily sat up before she questioned, "What is it, Father?"

"It's time. They found us," Henry explained, causing Lucy to panic. He then reassured her, "Don't be frightened. It'll be alright. I'll stay behind, give you time to escape."

She then insisted, "No, I won't leave you. I'll help you fight," getting up from the bed.

"No, no, you can't," he reasoned, "You have to make sure it stays safe. You have it, don't you?"

"Of course," Lucy assured him as she pulled the storybook from underneath the pillows.

"Oh. Oh, good," Henry said as he held the book and gazed at it. The door then started rattling and banging.

"Daddy!" Lucy exclaimed, a worried look etched across her features.

His protective instincts took hold as he told her, "Don't worry about me. You need to go." "I…" Lucy then began, but she was unable to get the words out.

"I know. I know. Me, too," Henry assured her before he kissed her forehead. He then spoke, "Go. Go!" nudging her toward the back door.

He then grabbed Charming's sword as the door creaked. It then splintered open, and a dark creature roared. It then engulfed Henry.