Emma had an idea. She had to ask for help from an old friend: Pinocchio. But she was afraid Regina wouldn't agree. It wasn't the same, but he looked like August. When Henry's two mothers saw Pinocchio working in his puppeteer's den, Regina was captivated. It had been weeks since she had spoken to August and it hurt a lot, but even more to see him in another version of himself. This Pinocchio there, saw her as a villain, as an obstacle and she was sure he was happy without her.
Suddenly she had a bad thought and if the August she knew was so happy without her, what would become of her ? She refused to go join him; she was too afraid to confront this man she thought she knew. She saw Emma join him. He had taken her in his arms, he looked worried for her. She had never seen them so tactile, that she was almost jealous of them.
Emma told him her whole story, saying that he wasn't real, that it was all the work of a wish. Regina walked over to them, timidly, trying to get out of the way as much as possible.
« So why me, what can a simple woodcarver do for you? » He asked
Regina totally felt like it was the same person. His smile and his voice charmed her again.
« Carve wood, and get us home. Your father once made a magical wardrobe. It took me between realms »
« My father passed years ago »
The beautiful brunette admitted that he might not be that happy after all. He looked lonely. She didn't know what to think of it.
« I'm sorry », Emma said, almost in Regina's place. « I was hoping that maybe you still have that wardrobe »
Pinocchio fixed his gaze on Regina for the first time. The latter could not look him in the eye, it was still too much for her.
« I remember the one you're talking about, I dismantled it years ago. It reminded me of darker times. No offense »
She couldn't believe he had been so amical. She tried to push August out of her head and was compassionate looking him in the eye, finally.
« None taken. This world became oh-so-much No see, this world became so much more livable when I was no longer there. »
She gave him an amused smile. He looked surprised at her reaction.
« Maybe I can help. I know the enchanted grove where my father found the wood for the original wardrobe. Perharps, we can replicate his work. I kept his tools. »
Regina decided to stay in the den and wanted to let them do what was necessary to get in. She couldn't bear to have another argument with this grown-up Pinocchio. Emma understood her reaction. Pinocchio, meanwhile, was a little surprised but wanted above all to help his friend.
They went into the forest to the enchanted tree. But they were surprised by a pot-bellied, alcoholic old captain hook who broke Pinocchio's main tool to chop the bark off the tree and create the cabinet. Pinocchio was disheartened, desperate that Emma trusted him. Now it was up to her to return the precious advice he had given her when she was young. Using her magic she repaired the chisel and left to join her friend.
« You can do it. A friend told me if you believe in something strongly enough you have the power to change your faith. So, if you believe you're a puppeteer, you will be a puppeter, but if you believe that you are a master carver as good as your father was, then your faith changes. »
Pinocchio was convinced and smiled at his princess.
« Thank you Emma, for believing in me »
« I'm just repaying the favor. Your father would be proud »
He finished designing the wardrobe and put it in the room where Regina was.
« You succeeded ! » The woman wondered.
Before stepping back into the closet, Regina hesitated and gave Pinocchio a look. He gave her a smile that seemed so familiar to her that she had to talk to him. Emma stood looking at them, proud that her friend took the plunge.
« Before I leave, I know I'll see you again so I'd like to ask you a question. Are you happy ? »
Pinocchio was very surprised, Emma gave them an almost mocking smile
« It is very surprising that the evil queen, even when she has become nice, is interested in the happiness of a simple carpenter like me »
« Are you happy? » She insisted
« Well I was the serving knight of Princess Emma and I'm still at the disposal of the royal family so I feel good »
« Thanks for answering me », she said, hiding her tears that were starting to fall.
She looked away and wanted to go through the cupboard but he held her back.
« Wait why my happiness interests you so much, it changes no matter how happy man. »
He looked at Emma
« I now understand this other world you come from, I have to be there too, it was I this friend who gave you this advice »
Emma nodded, he looked away to Regina
« I've the feeling that I'm someone important to you. I will be sincere with you, majesty, since my father died I haven't been happy for a very long time, I still feel very lonely with my tools but your Pinocchio seems to be very happy with you of them. »
« Yes he's always present for his family, his friends ... »
« And you ! »
« Yes and me too but we argued, it's complicated »
« In his place I would be more than happy to be charmed by the ex evil queen, he must be very lucky and you shouldn't give up on him, you should even force him back. He doesn't know what he's missing. »
Regina was in tears, she wanted so badly to kiss him, to hug him. His kindness and benevolence had never left him. He and August were far from having experienced the same things but beyond his appearance, she recognized a lot of similarities in him.
Regina was the last to enter the closet, she smiled at him, friendly wishing he had a happier life later. Pinocchio said goodbye to her, curtsying her.
They were in Storybrooke. Regina was still crying. Emma stroked her shoulder and comforted her.
« I just left him, physically that I miss August already, so much. I've never missed him so much, it's now that I understand how much I love him »
Emma didn't know what to say but she was ready to talk seriously to August so that he could forgive her.
But she was taken aback when she saw the man in her vision. She couldn't believe it was Gideon, Belle and Rumple's son who had lived in another world with the Black Fairy, a world where time is not the same as ours. Gideon was 28 and programmed to kill the savior. After a long fight, Emma managed to gain the upper hand but Gideon disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Emma took charge of Geppetto's studio. She could hear the typewriter from afar.
« I could hear you all the way down the street, I wasn't sure if I should expect a typewriter or Tommy gun », she laughed
« I work out here so Luxe and Papa can sleep », he said with a mocking smile.
He barely stood up when she hugged him. He was surprised but accepted her hugs
« What's wrong with you, Emma, it's not like you to be so cuddly », he laughed.
« I wanted to thank you, for everything. I haven't done enough so far. You are always there for me, even when I don't necessarily think about it. I was in another world with Regina and your other you helped us get home. »
« Well, what adventures » he joked
« You know Regina would like to talk to you, she misses you so much! »
He swallowed his saliva
« I told her I was waiting for her to eliminate the Evil Queen but okay, tell her she can come tomorrow, I will explain a few things to her. »
