Camelot.
Six weeks ago.
Forest.
Belle finds a spell in her book.
"Here. Try this." Belle said
"Well, aren't you the clever one?" Merlin asked Belle
"Glad someone noticed." Belle said
Merlin makes the doors disappears. Someone comes in.
"We best get going." Hook said
"No, wait! Wait, I can't leave! Arthur took my wisps! They're the only way I can find my brothers." Merida said
"Right now those wisps will only lead you to one thing... Your death. I assure you, we will find another way to rescue your brothers." Merlin said
Storybrooke Present.
Merida leads Melissa to her camp into the woods.
"I've pushed him as hard as I can. He's at the end of his tether." Merida said
"You were saying?" Melissa asked Merida
"Oh, go ahead. Crush it. Better that than helping you with your dirty work." Merida said
"Why would I do that when your job isn't finished yet?" Melissa asked again
"What are you on about? How am I supposed to train him when he's not even here?" Merida asked Melissa
"You confirmed the one thing I needed to know... Belle's still someone he's willing to fight for." Melissa said
"Well, it didn't exactly make him a hero, now, did it?" Merida asked again
"It will... If he wants to stop you." Melissa said
"Stop me? From what?" Merida asked again
"Killing Belle... Now go find her and put an arrow through her heart." Melissa said
Nurse Ratched leaves, Melissa appears.
"What should I call you? Dark Traveler? Dark Gilbert? Dark Petrova? Dark Flair? Or Dark Booth? It doesn't matter really. So what do I owe this pleasure?" Zelena asked Melissa
"Just wanted to have a little chat." Melissa said
"Afraid I'm not in the mood. (Melissa teleports Zelena at her place.) I suppose I could be willing to listen. So, tell me...what kind of trouble do you want to get into?" Zelena asked again
"Eat up... Dark Ones don't judge." Melissa said
"Despite these greasy treats, I know this isn't a social call. What do you want?" Zelena asked again
"Take a look at this." Melissa said
Melissa get's out the wand.
"The Apprentice's wand." Zelena said
"You're the only one around who has wielded Merlin's magic and lived to tell about it." Melissa said
"Aww. It's nice to be appreciated." Zelena said
"I need your help." Melissa said
"How exciting. I can't wait to hear what you're offering in return." Zelena said
"Your freedom...And my protection against anyone who wants to hurt you." Melissa said
"So the Dark One's here to make a deal? How dreadfully unoriginal. You see, believe it or not, that patient with a mop loves to talk, and I hear that you've been very naughty, tearing out that little girl's heart to break Henry's. Kudos. That is next-level darkness. Well done." Zelena said
"You think you're allowed to judge after everything you've done?" Melissa asked Zelena
"No. But as someone that's been on the receiving end of a mother's betrayal, I know that those feelings of hurt don't go away. They fester. So have fun with a lifetime of resentment." Zelena said
"They'll forgive me." Melissa said
"Even with all the time in the world, some things can't be forgiven." Zelena said
"I don't believe that." Melissa said
"I killed Neal. Someone who's like a brother to you." Zelena said
"Do we have a deal or not?" Melissa asked again
"I've got my own family problems. I don't need yours. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. And with a little one on the way, I wouldn't want to involve myself with someone that might be a bad influence. But thanks for the nosh. If that's all, I'd like to go back to my cell." Zelena said
"You will need an ally in this town...maybe not now, but soon. You'll be back to take my deal." Melissa said
"I don't think so, Melissa. I don't mind being alone." Zelena said
Melissa sends Zelena back in her cell.
Camelot.
Six weeks ago.
At Granny's, Merlin takes a candy.
"I told Emma when she was a child. That one day, she would have the opportunity to remove Excalibur from its stone. I never thought it would be a Traveler witch." Merlin said
"I hate to burst your bubble. Someone beat me to it. It wasn't Em though." Melissa said
"Perhaps, but the sword will return to whence it came. And now that the darkness is within you, it's more important than ever that you heed the rest of my warning... Leave Excalibur alone. The fate of everyone that you love rests upon it." Merlin said
Storybrooke Present.
The cave.
"He bested me fair and square." Merida said
"I was getting worried. For a moment, I thought I was going to have to drag you down here myself." Melissa said
"No. A hero never runs away from his problems... Now... As a former Dark One, I know you won't stop wreaking havoc till I pull that sword from that stone." Gold said
"Good. We understand each other." Melissa said
"And I also know that you won't be able to resist making a deal... So how about I pull Excalibur in exchange for Merida's heart?" Gold asked Melissa
"And my brothers... I want to know what happened to them." Merida said
"You really think you're in a position to make deals?" Melissa asked both Gold and Merida
"That's exactly what I think." Gold said
Melissa gives back Merida's heart.
"I was finished with this anyway." Melissa said
"And her brothers?" Gold asked again
"They're fine, safe and sound by her mother's side. Now get on with it!" Melissa said
"Wait. What happens if he can't pull it from the stone?" Belle asked Melissa
"Then you will be sweeping his remains from the floor. You were his maid once." Melissa said
"Belle...just in case this doesn't work, I want you to know that I am sorry for everything. If I had to do it all again, I would make sure I was the man you deserved right from the very start...and I would change everything for you." Gold said
"It's never too late." Belle said
Gold removes Excalibur from the stone.
"Well, well. A deal's a deal. (Melissa takes Excalibur.) Now, you may have Excalibur, but you've made too many mistakes You've turned me into a hero." Gold said
"There are heroes all over this town, and none of them have been able to stop me yet." Melissa said
"Well, that's because none of them... Are me." Gold said