Enchanted Forest Present.
In 'the pit', Mary Margaret is still unconscious. Cora tends to her, while both Emma and Melissa watches.
"You sure she's going to be okay?" Emma asked Cora
"Don't worry. She'll be fine." Cora said
"What is this place? Where are we?" Emma asked again
"It's a little island our captors like to think of as their haven." Cora said
"Haven? From what?" Melissa asked Cora
"The world's dangerous. What's left of it, anyway." Cora said
"Well, they can't keep us down here. We didn't do anything wrong." Melissa said
"Neither did I." Cora said
"Then why are you here?" Emma asked again
"I'm here because of something my daughter did. The curse that ravaged this land? She cast it." Cora said
"Regina." Emma said
"You're Regina's mother?" Melissa asked again
"Yes. But you have nothing to fear from me. The apple fell very far from the tree. You're from over there, aren't you? How'd you get back? (Cora looks at Melissa.) What are you dear?" Cora asked Melissa
Mary Margaret awakens and sees the three of them talking.
"No…" Mary Margaret said
"Oh, Snow, you're awake. I'm so relieved." Cora said
Mary Margaret takes both her daughter and Melissa aside.
"As bad as you guys think of Regina, this woman is worse." Mary Margaret said as she warns them
"Oh, Snow. Sweet Snow. Please… Believe me. Whatever she told you isn't true. I just want to help you." Cora said
"Maybe we should hear her out." Melissa said
"Melissa." Mary Margaret said
"Right now, we are at the bottom of a hole with no other options. And Jenna, is back in Storybrooke." Melissa said
"And Henry is with Regina." Emma said
"Who's Henry?" Cora asked Emma
"My son. I kind of share him with Regina. It's complicated." Emma said
"Don't talk to her." Mary Margaret said
"Enough! (One of the guards throws a rope down into the pit.) Our leader requests an audience." Guard said
Storybrooke Present.
Both David and his grandson are walking down the main street of Storybrooke while David holds Jenna. Elena and Jeremy walk with them.
"She's mine and Jeremy's sister. Where is she?" Elena asked David
"You don't know anything about this town? Of how it's created?" David asked both Elena and Jeremy
"Try me." Elena said
"We're from another land." David explain
"Like from the other side?" Jeremy asked David
"Not exactly." Henry said
"What are you talking about?" Elena asked them
"Melissa was trying to save my other mother. The savior. She tried but instead, she fell into a portal. And so did my grandmother." Henry said
"You're crazy." Jeremy said
"Really? Then how would we know that she's a hybrid and so is her daughter?" David asked again
"Say that you are telling the truth. So how do we find her?" Elena asked again
"Well, with you two. You have to trust me. We're trying to find a way to get her back." David said
"We'll help." Jeremy said
"Ok then." David said
"So, what's on the agenda for Operation Scorpion?" Henry asked his grandfather
"What's Operation Scorpion?" David asked his grandson
"The code name for our mission to find Emma, Melissa, and Mary Margaret? Did you find Jefferson?" Henry asked again
"I already did." David said
"What? Is he going to help us?" Henry asked again
"Please tell me he's going to help us?" Elena asked again
"No. He's not. I'm sorry you guys. But we're going to find a way." David said
"How?" Jeremy asked again
"There's always hope. And with hope. We can never give up. I need to find a way to restore the hat." David said
"So, why can't I look?" Henry asked again
"It'll require magic, Henry. And magic-" David said as Henry finishes the sentence
"Always comes with a price. I've read the book, you know." Henry said
"I'm sorry, but I just can't let you anywhere near this stuff. If you really want to help me, you'll go to school where I know you'll be safe." David said
"But I..." Henry said as Elena interrupt his sentence
"Listen to me. (Elena bends down on her knees and faces Henry.) We'll find them. Ok. You have to trust us." Elena said
"Okay." Henry said
Henry hugs Elena
"Now go to school. (Elena stands up.) Thanks." David thanking Elena
"You're welcome." Elena said
Henry starts towards the school bus. Once David, Elena, and Jeremy leaves, however, Henry heads elsewhere.
Enchanted Forest Present.
Emma, Mary Margaret , and Melissa are being led by one of the guards through the haven/village.
"Why can't the two of you just listen to me?" Mary Margaret asked both her daughter and Melissa
"Why couldn't you have trusted us? I was just trying to find a way to get us home. We could've handled her." Emma said
"Cora Don't be so sure. I've lived here, Emma. I know this world. And its dangers." Mary Margaret said
"Enough. Fighting isn't going to help. Especially the one who made me angry while I was trying to access my traveler magic." Melissa said as she was referring to Mary Margaret
"I'm sorry. I was trying to make you feel that kind of emotion. But it was wrong." Mary Margaret apologize
"You're forgiven." Melissa said
"Wait here." Guard said
"Is that why you came through the portal? Because you thought Margaret and I were helpless here?" Emma asked her mother
"No… I came through to be with you." Mary Margaret said
Lancelot appears from one of the huts.
"Lancelot?" Mary Margaret asked Lancelot
"Snow? (Mary Margaret and Lancelot embrace.) If I had known that you were the prisoners Mulan had brought back, I never would have locked you away. Please – forgive me." Lancelot said
"Of course." Mary Margaret said
"Lancelot? Really?" Emma said
"I love the Camelot books." Melissa said
"Who're these people?" Lancelot asked Mary Margaret
"This is Margaret and this is Emma. Emma's my daughter. It's a complicated story." Mary Margaret said
"One we might share." Lancelot said
"He's an old friend. We can trust him." Mary Margaret said
Emma, Melissa, and Mary Margaret have sat down to eat. Lancelot drops a plate of strange looking meat on the table.
"What the hell is that?" Emma asked Lancelot
"I'll say." Melissa said
"That is chimera. An acquired taste, but all our hunting party could bring back. One part lion, one part serpent, one part goat." Lancelot said
"Like turducken?" Emma asked again
"I don't understand. We were told this land didn't even exist anymore. How did you all escape the curse?" Mary Margaret asked again
"It is a mystery. The curse struck and when the smoke cleared, most of us had been torn from this land. But some of us here, in this particular region, were left behind. We don't know how, and we don't know why. Finding this safe haven wasn't easy. Took some spilled blood. But worry not. You're safe here." Lancelot said
"We can't stay. My husband's back there, Emma's son – my grandson. Melissa's daughter." Mary Margaret said
"We have to get back to them." Melissa said
"Can you help us find a portal?" Mary Margaret asked again
"No, leaving is unwise. The Enchanted Forest is not as you remember it. The ogres have returned." Lancelot said
"Ogres?" Melissa asked again
"Like, as in fee-fi-fo-fum?" Emma asked again
"Those would be giants." Mary Margaret said
"Ogres are far worse. And that's why we live here. On this island, where it's safe. Please, Snow. Stay here. There are no more portals left." Lancelot said
"I might know of one." Mary Margaret said
"You do?" Emma asked again
"Where?" Lancelot asked again
"Cora's near. I don't feel comfortable voicing my plans. She's powerful." Mary Margaret said
"Not anymore. The curse stripped her of her powers. But, given her reputation, we kept her locked up as a precaution." Lancelot said
"Nevertheless, I'm not taking chances. Just trust me. I may have a way. Let us go?" Mary Margaret asked again
"I'll allow it. But on one condition – take my bravest warrior with you. Allow Mulan to defend you." Lancelot said
Lancelot calls Mulan over.
"I can defend them. I defended them with one battle. And I can do it again." Melissa said
"Deal. Thank you, Lancelot. For always looking out for me." Mary Margaret said
Mulan presents to Emma, Mary Margaret, and Melissa an arsenal of different weapons.
"Choose wisely. We must be vigilant if we hope to survive the journey." Mulan said
Snow chooses a sword and straps it to her waist.
"Where's my gun? I want it back." Emma said
"She took mine too." Melissa said
Mulan takes two guns out of her satchel and inspects two guns before handing it to both Emma and Melissa.
"Are these magic?" Mulan asked both Emma and Melissa
"Depends on who's pulling the trigger." Melissa said
Snow takes a bow and a quiver of arrows as a second weapon. Melissa also chooses a sword.
"Follow my lead. Step where I step. Do exactly as I say, and you might survive." Mulan giving them orders
"Thanks for the pep talk, but we're okay." Melissa said
"I just killed a dragon last week." Emma said
"Have you ever seen an ogre?" Mulan asked again
"Pretty sure I've dated a few." Emma said
"I've only dated one of them." Melissa said
"Legend has it, that when they kill you, the last thing you see is yourself dying in the reflection in their eyes. Let's walk. It'll be dark soon." Mulan said
Mulan stalks ahead. Mary Margaret, Melissa, and Emma follow behind.
"Don't let her rattle you." Mary Margaret said
"As for me, I won't let anything happen to us." Melissa said
"What is the plan?" Emma asked again
"You haven't told us anything. What's going on?" Melissa asked Mary Margaret
"The wardrobe." Mary Margaret said
"The wardrobe? 'The' wardrobe? Like, the wardrobe that sent little baby me to Maine? You think that can get us back to Storybrooke?" Emma asked her mother
"I don't know. First, we have to see if it survived the curse, then we'll worry about making it work." Mary Margaret said
"Where is it?" Emma asked again
"My place. Want to see where you're from, Emma? That's right. We're going home." Mary Margaret said
Melissa, Emma, Mary Margaret, and Mulan arrive at a clearing in the forest.
"This will do. We'll make camp here for the night. We just need to find water, collect some firewood." Mulan said
"Uh, if we're hiding from ogres, shouldn't we maybe, I don't know, not start a fire?" Emma asked Mulan
"Ogres are blind. They hunt by sound alone." Mary Margaret explain
"Right. Because that's something everyone would know about ogres." Melissa said
"Maybe you two should just stay here while me and Mulan get wood and water. Guard the campsite?" Mary Margaret suggest
"You mean the big, empty clearing?" Emma asked her mother
"It's the safest place. We'll be right back." Mary Margaret said
"Let's make sure of that." Melissa said
"Has anyone taught you how to fight?" Mary Margaret asked Melissa
"Elijah did. Something I don't want to discuss." Melissa said
Mary Margaret is collecting wood for a fire in the woods. Suddenly, Aurora ambushes her with a dagger, holding it against her throat. She grabs Aurora's shoulders and throws her over her head. She then pins Aurora to the ground. Mulan enters and pulls Snow off of Aurora. A warning shot is fired. The group turn to see both Emma and Melissa pointing their guns at their direction.
"What are you two doing?" Mary Margaret asked both her daughter and Melissa
"Protecting you." Emma said
"Drop the weapon." Melissa said
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" Mary Margaret asked again
They hear a growling sound approaching them.
"Ogres?" Emma asked as she was scared
The ogre appears.
"RUN! (The group takes off running into the forest while the ogre trails them.) Split up!" Mary Margaret said
"Come on!" Mulan said
Mulan and Aurora go one way, while Mary Margaret, Melissa, and Emma go another.
"Over there." Mary Margaret said
Emma trips over a branch, but Mary Margaret and Melissa fails to notice. The ogre catches up to her, which she attempts to shoot. However, the ogre grabs Emma's gun and crushes it in its hand. Melissa follows Mary Margaret appears behind the ogre and tries to divert its attention away from Emma.
"BACK AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER! (Successful, the ogre turns its attention to Mary Margaret. She then aims and fires an arrow into its eye, which instantly kills it. Emma watches incredulously as her mother pulls the arrow out of the ogre's eye.) You have to shoot them in the eye." Mary Margaret said
"How did you do that?" Melissa asked Mary Margaret
"Since I was a kid." Mary Margaret said
"When was the last time you shot an arrow?" Emma asked her mother
"Twenty-eight years ago. Guess it's like riding a bike." Mary Margaret said
"Yeah, but how did you know you could hit that?" Emma asked again
"I didn't. And next time, listen to me? That kind of thing isn't going to work here." Mary Margaret said
"Great." Melissa said
"We should get going." Mary Margaret said
The group continues to trek through the forest.
"We're getting close." Mary Margaret said
"Aurora, you've got to keep up." Mulan said
"Sorry, but I'm not exactly dressed for the woods. It's cold out here." Aurora said
"Then maybe, you should have listened to me and stayed back." Mulan said
Emma gives Aurora her jacket.
"Here." Emma said
"But I tried to kill your friend." Aurora said
"Actually, she's my mom. I have a feeling she can take care of herself. And I get it. You're not the only one who's been screwing up lately." Emma said
"What kind of corset is this?" Aurora asked Emma
"The corset is from our world. In our world, we wear coats." Melissa explain
"Up here." Mulan said
"Is that it?" Emma asked her mother
"Yeah. That's our home." Mary Margaret said
"It's beautiful." Melissa said
Looking out over the cliff, Snow White's decrepit former castle is seen in the distance.
Storybrooke Present.
Using his book as a guide, Henry finds Regina's father's crypt. Using the skeleton keys to get inside, he spies scrape marks along the floor, figuring out that the sarcophagus can be moved. He pushes it aside and heads down to Regina's vault. Henry pauses at the wall of hearts, which can be heard beating inside of their boxes. He goes farther into the vault to where several vases and chests are held. He takes one of the chests and opens it slowly with one of the keys. Two snakes spring out of the box, but David arrives just in time to shut the lid. Elena and Jeremy comes down there as well.
"You alright?" David asked his grandson
"Yeah. How'd you know I was down here?" Henry asked his grandfather
"Regina said you asked her to lunch and, when you stood her up, she checked her office, saw her keys missing, figured out the rest. She would've come herself, but she didn't think you'd go with her." David said
"Henry, what were you thinking?" Elena asked Henry
"I just want them back. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I should be over there with them. Riding horses, learning how to sword fight." Henry said
"We're going to do this together. Ok." Jeremy said
"Ok." Henry said
"Just don't skip school." Elena said
"Come on, now. You got to get to school, and I got to make sure no one else finds this place." David said
"Yeah" Jeremy said
Enchanted Forest Present.
The group arrives at the castle and enter one of the rooms. It appears to be a nursery, with a crib and several old toys laying around. The wardrobe is seen in the corner, which Emma recognizes.
"Oh my god… I recognize this from Henry's book." Emma said
"Come – we'll stand watch at the gate." Mulan said
Both Mulan and Aurora exit.
"This whole place. I wish me and my daughter lived here." Melissa said
"I never thought I'd see this place again. This room… It was your nursery." Mary Margaret said
"I lived here?" Emma asked her mother
"You never even got to spend a night. This is the life I wanted you to have. I was going to teach you how to walk in here. How to talk, how to dress for your first ball… You never got to do any of it. We never got to be a family." Mary Margaret said
"We have a family – in Storybrooke. And, right now, they need us to get back there. So, how do we get this to work? (She gestures to the wardrobe. At the castle, Emma, Mary Margaret, and Melissa look over the wardrobe.) Where's the 'on' switch?" Emma asked again
"It's more complicated than that. We'll have to get it back to the island. Hopefully, someone there has access to enough magic to make it work again." Mary Margaret said
"How are we going to carry this thing?" Melissa asked Snow
Lancelot enters.
"With the help of an old friend." Lancelot said
"Lancelot. What are you doing here?" Mary Margaret asked Lancelot
"We heard about the ogre attack, and I had to make sure you were alright." Lancelot said
"Where are Mulan and Aurora?" Mary Margaret asked again
"I sent them to find food. Tonight we'll make camp and then, in the morning, we'll head back. So, this is it – the portal you were after." Lancelot said
"The same one Emma went through. That's how she skipped the curse." Mary Margaret said
"Remarkable…" Lancelot said
"Geppetto carved it from an enchanted tree, but there's no magic left." Mary Margaret said
"Well, a portal this powerful… There must be another way to recharge it." Lancelot said
"Why are you so interested in the wardrobe?" Mary Margaret asked again as she was curious
"Well, I just want you to get home to your husband… And son. Henry. Melissa for her daughter too. They must miss you." Lancelot said
Mary Margaret draws her sword and points it at Lancelot.
"The both of you stay away from him. He is not who he says he is." Mary Margaret said
"What are you talking about?" Melissa asked Mary Margaret
"Who the hell is he?" Emma asked again
"There's only one person you told Henry's name." Mary Margaret said
"Cora." Both Emma and Melissa said
In a puff of purple smoke, Lancelot transforms into Cora.
"Very Clever." Cora said
"Where's Lancelot?" Mary Margaret asked Cora
"He's dead. I killed him a long time ago." Cora said
"And you've been posing as him ever since?" Mary Margaret asked again
"Well, they'd never listen to me. And besides… Every kingdom needs a hero, don't you think? (Mary Margaret lunges towards Cora, but is magically thrown and pinned against the wall. Both her daughter and Melissa attempts to help, but is also thrown back by Cora's magic.) Thank you, Snow. I've been looking for a way over for so long. (She struggles to breathe. Both her daughter and Melissa get's up and, again, tries to help, but Cora summons a rug, which wraps around Emma's legs and she takes vines and wrap around Melissa's neck.) I never thought the person to help me find it would be you." Cora said
"Why? Why are you doing this?" Mary Margaret asked again
"I want to see my daughter. It's been too long. And you know, I would love to meet my grandson, Henry. And maybe I'll see Melissa's daughter as well." Cora said
"No, you won't." Emma said
Using a bullet and a piece of wood, Emma creates a spark and starts a fire. The wardrobe begins to burn.
"No!" Cora said
Cora magically pulls the fire from the wardrobe and turns it into a fireball. She flings it towards Emma, but the shot is blocked by Mulan's sword. Aurora has also entered. Melissa is still wrapped by the vines. She tries to concentrate and focus.
"Mulan." Mary Margaret said
"INCENDIA. (FIRE)" Melissa yells
Cora tries to block the fire but she fell down. But she gets back up.
"We're not done." Cora said
Cora magically teleports out of the room. In the corner, the wardrobe is consumed by flames.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked again as she was worried about her mother
"You saved me." Mary Margaret said
"Yeah, well… Where is she?" Emma asked again
"Gone." Mary Margaret said
"So's our ride home." Emma said
Mulan cuts the vines and Melissa fell down. She helps her up.
"You ok?" Mulan asked Melissa as she was worried about her
"A lot of strangling. But yes. I'm fine. Thanks." Melissa thanking Mulan
"Don't mention it." Mulan said
Melissa, Mary Margaret, Emma, Mulan, and Aurora are still in the nursery at the castle.
"Lancelot was one of the most noble knights I ever knew." Mary Margaret said
"How could I be so blind?" Mulan asked herself
"We all were." Melissa said
"Could I not see that it was Cora?" Mulan asked again
"Let's be fair – the whole shape shifting thing threw me, too." Emma said
"What are we going to tell the people on the island?" Mulan asked them
"The truth. That Lancelot was cut down by a terrible villain. He died an honorable death." Mary Margaret said
"Cora's still out there. We need to find her. We need to defend what's left of the kingdom." Mulan said
"Who's going to lead us? You?" Aurora asked Mulan
"Can't be me. I'm new to this realm." Melissa said
Mulan pointed at Mary Margaret.
"Her." Mulan said
"I'm honored. But Emma, Melissa, and I still have to find a way back to Storybrooke." Mary Margaret said
"We'll help you. We'll find a way, won't we?" Mulan asked Aurora
"Yes. Perhaps, it will help me channel my anger." Aurora said
"Come." Mulan said
Both Mulan and Aurora exit.
"I'm, uh, sorry I torched our ride home. I couldn't let her get to Henry." Emma said
"You had to put Henry first. And as for you Margaret. You never told us what Incendia means?" Mary Margaret asked Melissa
"It was my best friend's spell. Incendia means fire in latin. A spell that's from 1 of her ancestors. I just never thought that I would never have to learn it." Melissa explain
"Well, you should. Its a part of who you are." Mary Margaret said
"Yeah I guess." Melissa said
Emma looks at Snow.
"I was angry at you for so long… Wondering how you could choose to let me grow up without you. But then I just… Seeing all this… You gave up everything for me. And you're still doing that. I'm sorry, I'm not good at this. I… I guess I just… I'm not… I'm not used to someone putting me first." Emma said
Mary Margaret hugs her daughter.
"Well, get used to it." Mary Margaret said
Emma, Mary Margaret, and Melissa go to leave. Before leaving, Mary Margaret reflects on what 'could have been'. They exit.