Camelot.
A black blob forms from a ring in the ground, and the ooze falls away to reveal Melissa.
"Where am I? (whistling) Who's there? (Melissa turns to see Rumplestiltskin behind her.) You're supposed to be in Storybrooke. You were in a coma." Melissa said
"Yes, I am. Or rather, he is. Saving your friend/sister was a stupid thing dearie. You should have listen to her." Rumplestiltskin said
"What are you?" Melissa asked Rumplestiltskin
"I'm many things. I'm the voice in your head, the Dark One's powers inside you, inside all the Dark Ones. Rumplestiltskin is but one of many. Perhaps I can be another. How about Gorgon the Invincible? (Rumplestiltskin turns into a fire-breathing giant boar.) Yes, probably easier this way. Now, are you ready to begin?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"Screw you." Melissa said
"There's no need to be hostile. Think of me as your guide, but only until you've learned to embrace your new magic." Rumplestiltskin said
"I will never learn dark magic. And I promised that." Melissa said
"Ah, they all say that. Everyone who steps from this well enjoys the taste too much. The only way to stop is to be stopped. This is the fate of all Dark Ones. (Melissa turns from Rumplestiltskin.) You can't just walk away from it." Rumplestiltskin said
"Watch me. I'm going to find Merlin and he can destroy the darkness." Melissa said
"Merlin?! Oh, you're much better off with me." Rumplestiltskin said
"No! I'll never be like all of you! I'll never hurt the people I love, the people who love me. My husband, son, daughter, brother, sisters, and anyone." Melissa said
Melissa comes upon a peddler with a cart.
"Hey! Excuse me! I need help! I need directions to Camelot. Do you know the way?" Melissa asked the Peddler
"Of course! I will only cost you... two pieces of silver." Peddler said
"I don't have any silver." Melissa said
"Three pieces now." Peddler said
"I'm in a hurry." Melissa said
"Four." Peddler said
"Just tell me!" Melissa said
The peddler begins to choke and is lifted off the ground.
"What are you doing?" Peddler asked Melissa
"I'm not doing anything." Melissa said
"Well, of course you are." Rumplestiltskin said
Melissa looks at Rumplestiltskin's hand, which is gripping the air.
"Stop." Melissa said
"It's not me doing this, Dearie. Tis you. (Melissa looks down to see her own hand gripping the air. She releases the peddler, who runs away.) So, did you enjoy it? Your first taste of darkness?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"No." Melissa said
Still walking in the woods.
"Quit following me." Melissa said
"That maple tree ahead, we've passed it three times already. You're going around in circles, Dearie. Now I can help you, if you let me." Rumplestiltskin said
"Again I'm not using dark magic." Melissa said
"I didn't say it was going to use magic. If you want to find Merlin, just ask, and find him you shall." Rumplestiltskin said
"Whatever. How do I find Merlin?" Melissa asked Rumplestiltskin
"I'm glad you asked. There's a magical force that can lead you to where ever you need to be. Now if you'll allow me, I can show you where to find it." Rumplestiltskin said
"All I can do is a locator spell." Melissa said
"Yes. But your magic doesn't work anymore. It's gone and being replaced by the darkness." Rumplestiltskin said
"Get lost." Melissa said
"Ugggh. I don't think you want that. Look. (Rumplestiltskin points to a blue floating creature.) The will-o-wisp. Now if you want to find Merlin, better catch it." Rumplestiltskin said
Melissa chases the will-o-wisp, but a hooded woman grabs it and stuffs it in her bag.
"Hey! Hey, I need that! Stop!" Melissa said
The hooded woman is grabbed by dark magic and flung backwards on the ground.
"Back off, lassie. My aim is true. Don't test me." Merida said
"I wasn't trying to hurt you." Melissa said
"So that was just a wee magical love tap? Oh, I've met my share of witches, and I know 'em when I see 'em. Witch." Merida said
"I'm a traveler witch. Well, used to be when I saved my friend from sucking into the darkness." Melissa said
"And the difference is?" Merida asked Melissa
"I want to get rid of it. The will-o-wisp is the only way." Melissa said
"I thought witches have dark magic." Merida said
"Some do. But others and myself practice light magic." Melissa said
"You want to be rid of it?" Merida asked again
"Desperately." Melissa said
"Aye. I know what that's like. Just be glad you're not a bear." Merida said
"A bear?" Melissa asked in confusion
"Oh, nevermind. Look, I wish I could help ya, but I need the wisp too, for my kingdom, for my family. So... I'm afraid you're gonna ha' to fight me for it." Merida said
Merida drops her bow and raises both fists.
"What?" Melissa asked in confusion
"I'm willing to fight fair if you are. No magic." Merida said
"I like her spunk. Break her neck." Rumplestiltskin said
"I'm not going to fight you." Melissa said
"You're not?" Merida asked in confusion
"Well, why not?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"Magic or no magic, I'm not fighting you. Go on, take it, and get on your way. It's yours." Melissa said
"Don't be trying to sucker punch me." Merida said
"I'm not going to. Just go." Melissa said
Merida lowers her fists.
"Thank you. I'm Merida." Merida said
"Melissa." Melissa said
"You're in dire straights, aren't ya Melissa?" Merida asked Melissa
"You have no idea." Melissa said
"Well, it wouldn't be fair to leave ya. I can help." Merida said
"I don't think so." Melissa said
"Well, maybe I can. You don't know much about the wisp, eh? They're born in a magical place. The Hill of Stones. They answer your question when you bring them back home. It's about a day's trek from here. We can go together, and I can get my help from the wisp, and then maybe I can give it to you and you can get yours." Merida said
Melissa smiles, and Merida tromps off.
They walk together.
"I really don't want to ask. But why do you need the wisp?" Melissa asked Merida
"My brothers. They were kidnapped by the united clans of my country. Just three wee innocent boys. Savages. Because of me. My father is-was-the king. When he passed, the clans no longer approved of me being queen. In my land, people, well, men, don't think a woman can lead." Merida said
"That's not true. I know someone who can lead a land. You can't reach him here." Melissa said
"But I'm going to show everyone. I need the wisp to take me to my brothers, and when it does, I will save them, no matter what the cost. If it's war the clans want, it's war they'll get. (Merida turns to look at Melissa and trips over a rock.) Ah!" Merida said
"You won't find your brothers any good passed out. (Melissa extende her hand and Merida takes it and helped her up.) When's the last time you slept?" Melissa asked again
"What month is it? (Melissa looks at Merida.) Fine. We can make camp. But just until first light." Merida said
Forest at night.
Melissa stares out into the darkness. She turns over on her other side.
"Can't sleep? (Melissa gasps.) Don't worry. Dark Ones don't need sleep. That's why I spun straw, to pass the time. You need a hobby. Something to take your mind off all the terrible things you're going to do. Do you like knitting?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm doing good here. I'm helping Merida, and then when she's done with the wisp, it will be my turn." Melissa said
"The wisp isn't a toy you can share. She can't just give it to you. The person who whispers to it becomes its owner. Forever." Rumplestiltskin said
"So if I let her use it, I can never use it?" Melissa asked Rumplestiltskin
"Not while her heart beats." Rumplestiltskin said
"You want me to take it for myself?" Melissa asked again
"I want to you start behaving like a Dark One." Rumplestiltskin said
"You knew this would happen. That's why you lead me to her. You wanted me to betray Merida." Melissa said
Melissa wakes up and realize that Merida is gone and so is the will-o-wisp.
"No! No! No, no, no." Melissa panics
"Oh, yes." Rumplestiltskin said
"Where is she?" Melissa asked Rumplestiltskin
"Doing what you should be doing... Taking care of herself first. If she gets to the Hill of Stones and whispers into that wisp, it's all over for you, deary... unless you kill her." Rumplestiltskin said
"I'm not a killer." Melissa said
"Ah, you don't really mean that. You were a hybrid once." Rumplestiltskin said
"Yes I was. But that's not the point of this. What does the Hill of Stones look like?" Melissa asked again
"You're not thinking of magicing there, are you?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"Tell me?" Melissa asked again
"I thought you didn't want to use dark-one magic." Rumplestiltskin said
"What does it look like asshat?" Melissa asked again
Hill of Stones.
"Please... please take me to my brothers and save them." Merida said
"No! Do you have any idea what you've done?" Melissa asked Merida
"Aye. That I do. Stop. I don't know what kind of witch you are or what strange voices are in your wee head, but I heard everything." Merida said
"What's she saying? Accent's a bit much, no?" Rumplestiltskin asked Melissa
"You don't know what you heard. I can explain." Melissa said
"I don't need your lies. I need this wisp and I need my brothers, so turn around and go." Merida said
"She's daring you." Rumplestiltskin said
"Now get out of here." Merida said
"Kill her." Rumplestiltskin said
"Don't test me, witch!" Merida said
"What are you waiting for, Dark one? You want the wisp? There's only one way. Now do it. Rip her heart out." Rumplestiltskin said
"I'm not going to kill her. I'm not a killer." Melissa said
"You got that right." Merida said
Merida fires an arrow at Margaret, who catches it before it strikes her heart.
"Go on. Use your anger. Use your power." Rumplestiltskin said
"I can talk to her." Melissa said
"You're a crazy woman. I don't want to talk." Merida said
"You need to find Merlin, Dark One. You need that wisp." Rumplestiltskin said
"Please, don't. Don't do this." Melissa begged
"Kill her. What are you waiting for? Kill her." Rumplestiltskin said
"SHUT UP!" Melissa yells
Merida gasps as Melissa pulls her over with a magical force and rips out her heart.
"Excellent. Now... crush it." Rumplestiltskin said
The others show up.
"Melissa. Don't." August said
"How are you guys here?" Melissa asked them
"It doesn't matter how. Anything is possible." Emma said
"You don't know what's happening. This is the only way to find Merlin. He's the only one who can stop the darkness." Melissa said
"Quite right. Crush it." Rumplestiltskin said
"The only way to protect all of you." Melissa said
"But to stop the darkness, you're going to let it consume you." Regina said
"You don't know that." Melissa said
"We're not going to take the chance." Mary Margaret said
"No, wait. You can't do that. This has to be her choice." Jeremy said
Heart beating.
"Don't listen to them. They don't understand what's at stake." Rumplestiltskin said
"Mommy." Jenna said
"Jenna." Melissa voice breaking
"She's a figment." Rumplestiltskin said
"Listen to your daughter, Melissa." Hook said
"We can find another way together. Look at us... heroes and villains together for you. And if we can overcome it... if we can overcome of what's inside of us... (Merida whimpers.) Then so can you." Emma said
Beating continues. Merida gasps as Melissa shoves the heart back into her chest and then hugs her daughter.
Merida breathing heavily.
"You ok?" Melissa asked again
"Oh, for someone who just now had their heart outside their chest, grand." Merida said
"Thank you for understanding." Melissa thanking Merida
"No, thank you." Merida thanking Melissa
"For what? I almost killed you." Melissa said
"Well-aware. Thank you for showing me the darkness in you. Reminding me I've got darkness in me, too. I was on my way to kill the people who took my brothers, but maybe... maybe I'll show them mercy... Mercy that can heal my divided land. But someone's gonna get a right good punch to the gut for putting me through this. Then mercy." Merida said
Wisp whooshing
"With you guys here. It's too dangerous. You guys shouldn't have come." Melissa said
"We had to." August said
"You're my sister too. I'm not going to lose you either." Jeremy said
"Well, you don't look like a crocodile." Hook joking around
"Very funny." Melissa said
"Here. We think you should have this." Mary Margaret said
Mary Margaret offers Melissa the Dark One dagger
"Take it. You'll be able to control yourself." David said
Rumplestiltskin appears over David's shoulder.
"No." Melissa said
"Margaret, think about it. If it falls into the wrong hands, what it could do... what you could do..." Emma said as Melissa interrupt her sentence
"The fight to control my darkness has just begun. I had magic on my own. Traveler and fairytale magic. But this right here is too much." Melissa said
Melissa offers the dagger to Regina.
"Are you serious?" Regina asked Melissa
"I saved you two. But I need you two to take turns to watch the dagger. Do whatever it takes to save me." Melissa said
Emma hugged her sister.
"It was the most stupid thing that you ever done." Emma said
"I'm sorry that I punched you. (Melissa stopped hugging her.) It was the only way to save you." Melissa said
"It's ok." Emma said
"So, are you guys gonna tell me how you got here?" Melissa asked again
"Well, it might be easier to show you." Hook said
Melissa sees Granny's restaurant.
"You brought Granny's..." Melissa asked them
"Backup generator's working, but the fryers are shot." Granny said
"And Granny." Melissa said
"Terrible news! No onion rings!" Grumpy said
"And Leroy." Melissa said
"There's no shortage of people who want to help you." Mary Margaret said
"Melissa!" Belle said
"I can't believe you guys did this all for me." Melissa said
"Of course we did." Emma said
Horse whinnies.
"Stand back." Melissa said
Horse whinnies. A man on a horse shows up.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Emma asked King Arthur
"I'm King Arthur of Camelot. We've come to find you." King Arthur said
"Find us?" Hook asked King Arthur
"My Lord, they think their arrival is a surprise." Perceval said
"You were expecting us." Emma said
"It was Merlin. He prophesied your coming here a long time ago, just as he prophesied many things." King Arthur said
"Merlin. Where is he? We were told that he's been missing." Emma said
"For years, yes. But not for much longer because according to his prophecy, you're destined to reunite him with us. Now, then, if you'll all follow me." King Arthur said
"Where?" Melissa asked in confusion
"Why, Camelot, of course." King Arthur said
The whole crew walks across the bridge to Camelot castle.
Storybrooke.
Six weeks later.
Granny's Diner.
"What are you guys doing here?" Sneezy asked them
"What happened?" Mary Margaret asked them
"We're back." David said
"Bloody hell." Hook said
"How?" Emma asked in confusion
"This doesn't make any sense. We were just walking into Camelot." Regina said
"What the hell are we wearing? Sneezy, what happened? How long were we gone?" Grumpy asked Sneezy
"Six weeks." Sneezy said
"Our memories... they're gone." Jeremy said
"Again." Tyler said
"Where's Melissa?" August asked them
Melissa whoosh.
"What did you expect. I'm right here." Melissa said
"Melissa what happened to you?" Emma asked her sister
"Don't you know already? You went to Camelot to get the darkness out of me. (Gasps) And you failed. (Sneezes) What the hell are you supposed to be?" Melissa asked Sneezy
"Ah..." Sneezy said
"Don't answer that. (Melissa turns Sneezy into stone.) I guess I'm not the traveler anymore." Melissa said
"Melissa, stop." Emma said
"That's enough." Regina said
"Or you do what? (Regina reaches for the Dark One dagger at her side and finds it missing.) Looking for this? (Melissa get's out the dagger.) Nobody's gonna touch this dagger but me. Now, for what you all did to me... You're about to be punished." Melissa said
"We can help you." Emma said
"I don't need your help, Savior." Melissa said
"Melissa. Why are you doing this?" Jeremy asked his sister
"Because... I'm the Dark One." Melissa said