Chapter 3: New York

Emma's yellow bug was far smaller than the minivan Regina had rented to drive him and Roland home from New York. It was also smaller than her Mercedes, which now sat unused in her garage as they waited for Henry to be old enough to drive it, and he found his legs were starting to cramp up after several hours of driving from Storybrooke. While he didn't want to delay finding Henry any longer, he also grew more uncomfortable with each passing minute. Robin finally broke down, asking Emma to pull over so he could stretch his legs.

"Yeah, I need to use the restroom," she said, pointing to a blue sign. "We can pull into there."

He nodded, watching as she changed lanes and pulled into the parking lot of a small building. She unbuckled herself and he did the same, noticing a large grassy area next to the parking lot. "I'm going to walk around there for a bit," he said.

"Just be careful," she warned him. "People often let their dogs out around there. You don't want to step in anything they may have left behind."

"I'll be careful," he assured her, knowing he didn't want to stink up the car because he made one wrong step.

She nodded, glancing back at the building. "You want something to eat?"

"Yes," he replied, feeling his stomach rumble. "Whatever you feel is best. I'm not a picky eater."

"Great," she said, closing her door at last. "Meet you back here soon. We don't want to spend too much time here."

He nodded, walking away from the car. Robin paused for a moment, looking back to make sure Emma got into the building safely before he continued to the grassy area. There weren't many other people around there nor did he see any dogs. But he was careful as he walked the area, finding a good area he knew was free of any droppings that he could walk and let his mind wander without worries.

It had been a few hours since they left Storybrooke and they had just left New Hampshire and entered Massachusetts. According to Emma, they had about six to seven more hours until they got to New York. They had left before sunrise with the goal to make it to the city by the afternoon. Emma seemed confident she knew where Henry was staying in the city but seemed hesitant to discuss it any further with him, making him wonder what she was hiding from him.

What could be so bad about New York, other than his memories of his time with Zelena disguised as Marian? Memories of her playing house with him and Roland, increasingly pressuring him to perform his husbandly duties and to put Regina behind him as he felt like a piece of his soul was missing without his bold and audacious queen. All he wanted to do was run back to the open skies and trees and quiet of Storybrooke, back to Regina and the freedom to love her. But he couldn't and so he felt like a prisoner in that apartment…

Neal's old apartment.

Robin stopped as his stomach twisted. He hadn't even considered that they would be heading back to where he had been violated in the worst way possible. Zelena had manipulated him when he was most vulnerable and not only violated his body but the sanctity of his marriage by masquerading as his wife. And that had caused him to betray Regina in a way that still made him sick, no matter how much she insisted that he had done nothing wrong. While he had promised her to try to build a good life with Marian, he had known something was wrong and that his heart now belonged to Regina. So while Regina had sworn she didn't feel betrayed, he still felt that he had betrayed her and their love even before the reveal that it had been Zelena the whole time.

Could he go back there? Or would it just be too overwhelming?

You're doing this for Henry, he reminded himself. Just focus on that and you can do this. The sooner you get him, the sooner you can get home to Storybrooke and continue to put New York far, far behind you.

"Hey, Robin, you ready to go?" Emma asked, approaching him with a white bag and cardboard container with two large cups.

"I am," he said, pushing thoughts of New York aside for now. "Is that Mr. Cluck's?"

She nodded, motioning to the car with her head. "It was the best I could do. It's not Granny's but it's still pretty good."

"I know," he said, following her to the car. "I would sometimes pick it up for Roland and Mari…"

He paused, trying not to remember how his wife's dark hair and beautiful brown eyes gave way to red curls and icy blue ones. Bile rose up in his throat as the feeling of betrayal and horror raced through him again, followed by the guilt for not realizing something had been wrong and for betraying Regina.

Emma stopped, waiting for him to finish. He cleared his throat as he said: "I've had Mr. Cluck's before. I don't mind it."

"Alright," she said softly, getting back in the car. He followed suit and they divided up their meal, Emma eating with one hand while she drove out of the parking lot with the other.

They ate in silence as she drove down the highway, carefully avoiding the other cars even as she continued to drive with only one hand. Robin focused on watching her, hoping that it would keep the dark thoughts lapping at his mind from flooding them. He needed to focus on Henry, not his own issues.

"You're staring," Emma said. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he replied, feeling guilty that she caught him. "I was just watching you drive with one hand. I'm very impressed."

She shrugged, crumbling up the wrapper and tossing it into her backseat. "When you're tracking someone who has jumped bail, you spend a lot of time in your car and get used to doing a lot of things while also driving."

"I'm still impressed," he said, settling back against his chair as they lapsed back into silence. He glanced out the window, counting the mile markers as they continued to drive down the highway.

After about twenty markers, Emma asked: "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" Robin asked, confused.

"Everything," she replied. "A lot has happened and I, um, I understand if you blame me for it."

Robin frowned, not sure what she meant. "Why would I do that?"

"Because I am responsible for everything," she said. "Going all the way back, I'm the one who ignored Hook when he said not to bring someone from the past to the future and it ended up being Zelena disguised as Marian. And if you think about it, it all went downhill from there."

He wanted to protest and assure her that wasn't the case but as he thought about it, he realized there was some truth to her statement. Everything did seem to go downhill after she and Hook got back from their trip to the past. Not only did they bring "Marian" back with them and blow up his newfound happiness with Regina but they also brought Elsa, whose presence in Storybrooke spurned Ingrid to put her icy plan into motion. That led to him having to leave with Marian and Roland, separating him from not just Regina but also his men. Away from his support system and others who also likely would've realized Marian was not acting like herself, he fell prey to Zelena's manipulation and was used in an awful scheme to hurt the woman he loved.

But Rumpelstiltskin also played his part in what happened next. He had searched for the author to change his fate and caused the darkness inside him to be released. Emma had stepped up to save Regina and the town in a dark moment, leading them to Camelot to try to save her from the darkness.

Of course, Emma had then used the darkness to save Hook and turned him into a Dark One. She used a curse to make them forget about that part until the darkness woke in Hook and he decided to send almost all of them to their deaths. Emma thankfully was able to get through to him but by then, the only way to stop the grim fate he had put into motioning for them was for him to die instead. That led to them heading down to the Underworld and encountering Hades, who naturally wanted to take over the world of the living and didn't care who got in his way.

Especially Regina.

"You're realizing it," Emma said. "I ruined your life."

"You didn't ruin it," he told her, knowing it in his heart. "You may have set some things into motion but we all made decisions and we all have to live with the consequences of our choices."

A tear ran down her cheek before she brushed it away. "Yeah, I suppose we do."

Guilt gnawed at Robin. He had been so wrapped up in his loss and grief, he had forgotten he was not alone. "How are you doing?" he asked softly.

"I guess as well as anyone could be under these circumstances," Emma said. "I'm used to losing the people I love."

"I didn't think it was something you got used to," he said softly, thinking of everyone he had lost over the years. "I know I haven't."

She sighed. "Maybe I'm not used to it but I just accept that it will happen. Everyone was so focused on heroes getting their happy endings but I think we both prove that that is just bullshit. I mean, where is your happy ending now?"

"Maybe I wasn't heroic enough," he said, not sure how to answer that question. It did seem like both his happy endings were taken from him but he had played a role in getting both women he loved killed. Maybe that was his punishment for the dark deeds he did before he developed his honor code and became Robin Hood.

But when he thought about it, all of them faced struggle and had been denied happy endings of their own. From Emma's own parents to Belle to even himself, it didn't seem that the classification of "hero" or "villain" meant anything. Perhaps it was because they were in this realm without magic or maybe a "happy ending" was just a big scam they had all been tricked into believing.

He was about to agree with her that it was all bullshit when he thought of his children and how happy they made him. Robin thought of how he felt when he read Roland a bedtime story and his son fell asleep against him. Or when he took Margot from her bath, wrapped her in a towel and held her close as she snuggled against his chest. And when Henry sat close to him and they talked about things he didn't feel comfortable talking to his mothers about. Then he thought of his men and the happiness that filled him as they had laughed and drank together in Granny's. Robin had lost Marian and then lost Regina but he didn't think he had completely lost his happy ending.

Maybe they were just all too focused on the wrong thing.

"Endings are always sad," Robin said finally. "Especially when they are premature. We shouldn't be focused on the end. We should be focused on the journey to the end. That's where our happiness really is. My journeys with both Marian and Regina were very brief but I experienced such happiness with them. And now I'm on a journey with my children, who make me happier than I can ever describe."

She tilted her head. "I never thought about it like that. I guess we all focused on the happy part, we forgot about the ending."

"Exactly," he said. "The stories just end. Yes, everyone supposedly lives happily ever after but what does that really mean?"

"It has always meant whatever we want it to mean," Emma replied, her eyes still fixed on the road as she nodded. "It's never been up to some Author or some mystical force that supposedly controls us."

He nodded. "It's up to us."

"You're right," she said. "And once we get Henry and get back to Storybrooke, that's just what I'm going to do."

"And I promise you that you won't be alone," he vowed. "We can all rebuild together and find new forms of happiness."

She nodded. But a few moments later, she sniffed. "I still wish Hook was here to be part of it though."

"I know," he said softly. "I wish Regina was here every day."

"How do we move on without them?" Emma asked him, glancing at him with red-rimmed eyes.

Robin sighed as he shrugged. "I don't know. I thought I would but losing Regina feels so different than when I lost Marian."

She nodded. "I know. Losing Hook is different from losing Neal. Maybe because I was planning a future with Hook and I had already made peace with Neal not being in my life anymore, you know?"

"I know," he replied, thinking back to when he realized that Marian had really been Zelena. Though it was like losing her all over again, it didn't hurt as much as it did the first time because he had already made his peace with her being gone.

But he hadn't yet made his peace with Regina being gone.

He didn't know he would ever. After all, how did one make peace with the fact that half your soul was permanently gone?

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Emma suggested. "I think once we get to New York, things are going to happen fast."

"What about you?" he asked. "You're going to be tired after driving all this way."

She shrugged. "I'm used to this. I'll probably catch a nap in New York once we find Henry and stop him."

"Alright," Robin said, closing his eyes. "But don't be afraid to wake me if you need to, okay?"

"I will," Emma assured him. "But don't worry about me. You just rest."

He felt his body relax as his mind started to drift off. As sleep crept over him, he started to dream of a beautiful pair of brown eyes and a pair of red lips curved into an elusive but beautiful smile.


As Emma predicted, it was late afternoon by the time the tall buildings of New York's skyline came into view. The sun was slowly starting to set and Robin took a deep breath before asking: "Do you think we'll make it on time?"

"I hope so," Emma replied. "I like to think I would feel if he manages to destroy magic but who knows?"

"I guess that's reassuring," he said as she drove over a bridge and into the city. He prayed they were not too late.

Emma found a spot near Neal's old apartment. Robin climbed out of her car and took a deep breath before coughing, forgetting how different the air was there. She paused on the sidewalk, frowning. "You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied between coughs. "Forgot how bad the air is here compared to Storybrooke."

"I know," she said, nodding. "I've now lived outside of a city long enough to notice the difference as well. Come on, let's get inside and maybe the air will be better in there."

He glanced up at the faded brick buildings and grimy windows, frowning. "If I remember correctly, I doubt it."

She sighed, eying the building as well. "We don't have any other option."

"I know," he said. "Let's just get this over with."

Emma let them into the building and they climbed the rickety stairs to the right floor. Robin looked around, wondering if he would run into any of his old neighbors. Would they recognize him? Did they wonder why he and his family had left so suddenly? Or did they never notice they were gone?

Unlocking the apartment door, Emma pushed open the door and hurried him inside. She closed the door behind them and locked it, placing the keys down. Emma let out a triumphant cry as she pointed to the table. "That's Henry's laptop. He's been here," she said.

"How did he get in?" Robin asked, frowning. "You have the key."

"I have a copy," Emma replied, sitting down and starting the laptop. "You had the original and I assume Regina must've kept them after we all returned to Storybrooke."

He paused, shaking his head. "I guess Henry's visit the other night wasn't just because a grieving son wanted to be close to his mother."

"Probably not," Emma said with a sigh. "Just hold tight and I think I can figure out where he went once I check his search history. Do you want to get some rest while I do that?"

Robin glanced toward the bedroom, shaking his head. "I don't think I could get much rest in there. Besides, you did all the driving. You deserve to rest instead of me."

She waved him off. "I'll be fine. And there's always the couch, but I understand if the entire place just has bad memories for you."

"It does," Robin said, trying to keep the pain in Regina's eyes when he told her he was having a child with her sister from playing over and over in his mind. It ripped his heart apart and he understood Regina's desire to take her own heart when he first met her in the Enchanted Forest.

But maybe it was time to confront what had happened. If he let it eat at him, he would never move forward. He would always let it hold him back and that gave Zelena power over him. Robin held his head high as he opened the door to the bedroom, staring at the room as images flashed into his mind. He didn't fight them this time, even as nausea rose up inside him. But he knew letting them play would release some of the power they had over him.

He walked around the room, noticing everything he had left behind. They had been too focused on Zelena's deception when they received a call saying they needed to get back to Storybrooke. Everything had been a whirlwind after that and he realized he had really only taken clothes with him, nothing else. Maybe now he could bring some other things back with him as well.

Robin saw a familiar book and picked it up, chuckling when he saw what it was. From the other room, Emma called out: "What's so funny?"

"Just this book I found," he said, turning around to face the living room. "It's supposedly about me."

"Supposedly?" she asked, looking up.

He nodded, grinning as memories filled him. "But whoever wrote about my adventures got a lot wrong. Regina and I used to read it together and laugh about it."

Sadness overtook him as he hugged the book to his chest. He wished he had taken the book so they could have laughed about the stories some more before he had lost Regina. But he would take it now and share them with his children.

No matter how wrong the stories were.

"It sounds like a really good memory," Emma said softly. "We have to hold onto them."

He nodded. "I know."

She turned back to the laptop while he looked around the apartment. Robin had lived there for almost two months with a woman who was not really his wife and his son. They were two months he could've spent with Regina, two months he could've been kissing her and making more memories. Zelena had stolen all of that from him.

As Robin thought about it, he realized Zelena stole much more than that. There were the weeks where he thought that his wife had come back and decided to honor his vows to Marian, time he could've spent with Regina. He wouldn't have had to sneak around with her, making her feel like a dirty little secret, or break her heart. She and Robin could've built their new life together and been happy.

Zelena ultimately stole everything from him and Regina despite their fight to prevent it. In a way, wicked really did always win.

He hoped that gave her some comfort as she watched Margot grow up from a very far distance.

"I think I found him," Emma said, standing. "He was researching a specific room at the main branch of the New York Public Library. We should be able to catch up to him there."

"How far away is it?" he asked, glad for the distraction from his own thoughts.

Emma motioned toward the window. "A few blocks that way. Not far at all."

Relief swept through him and he placed the book in his bag, not wanting to leave it behind just in case they were unable to return to the apartment. "Let's go," he said.

"Stay close," she told him. "And be ready for anything."

"Understood," he replied, following her to the door. He hoped they could stop Henry before he did something they would all regret.

Especially Henry.


"Here we are," Emma said, leading Robin past a fountain toward a grand building flanked by two lion statues. "The New York Public Library."

Robin looked it over. "It seems so simple for a building that could help Henry destroy magic."

"Simple?" Emma asked, raising an eyebrow. "This is considered an architectural wonder and you think it is simple?"

He shrugged. "I've seen grander in the Enchanted Forest. Robbed most of them too."

"I wouldn't say that so loud," Emma replied, glancing around them "We don't want security trailing us."

"Right, right," Robin said, nodding. The last thing he needed was to make an enemy of law enforcement in New York. "Lead the way."

She nodded. "Stay close."

"I will," he agreed, following her up the stairs and into the quiet building. He looked around, recognizing the smell of leather and old paper. Books filled shelves in several connected rooms and Robin wondered how they would find Henry.

Emma, though, moved with a purpose so Robin followed her. He figured she had found something on Henry's laptop that told her where to look. And so he kept his knapsack close as they weaved through the people in the library, hoping none had harmed Henry.

She paused before motioning to her left. "I think he's this way."

"I'm just following you," Robin told her. "Just go and I'll keep up."

Emma turned left and Robin stayed close to her, letting her lead the way. As they approached a room at the end of the hallway, the air began to crackle. His stomach turned and he knew that something big was about to happen. It was clear Emma did too as she picked up her pace, almost running toward the room with him right behind her.

A powerful force pulsated down the hallway, almost knocking Emma to the ground. Robin caught her as he held his breath, worried that they were too late. "You okay?" he asked her.

"I think so," she replied, sounding a bit breathless. "What do you think that was?"

"I'm not sure but I have a pretty good idea," he said, helping her straighten up as he grew more certain that they were too late. A pit formed in his stomach and he wondered what they would do next.

They hurried down the hallway, entering the room there. Henry and Violet stood there, a dagger in Henry's hand. Both stared at the table as Violet asked: "You think it worked?"

"I think so," he said. "I think we did it."

"What did you do?" Emma asked, approaching her son as Robin followed her yet again.

Violet's eyes grew wide when she saw the two of them and she shrank back. Henry, though, held his head high as he watched them with an even expression. "I destroyed magic."

"Oh, Henry," Emma sighed, shaking her head. "Why?"

"Because magic has done nothing but destroy all our lives," he said. "So I destroyed it."

Robin's heart sank as he understood where Henry was coming from. He tried to reach for Emma's shoulder to silently ask her to let him handle it but she spoke before he could do so. "How can you say that?" she asked.

"How can I…?" Henry let out a cold laugh that chilled Robin to the bone. "How can you ask me that? After becoming the Dark One? Losing Hook? And then losing my mom? Why? Because of magic. I hate magic!"

It broke Robin's heart even more to hear the Truest Believer lose his faith. He wanted to pull Henry into his arms and just hold the boy until the pain went away but he knew better than anyone that it didn't. One just learned to live with it.

"And so you just destroyed it?" Emma asked, sounding distraught. "How did you even figure that out?"

"Dad," he replied.

Emma frowned. "What do you mean?"

He pointed to an open notebook on the table. "Dad researched ways to destroy magic, probably to save his father. He was missing something that could serve as a vessel to hold magic in order to destroy it but I found it. Grandfather had it and I managed to take it and complete what Dad started."

"Do you understand what you have just done?" she asked, almost yelling now.

Robin felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on edge. Looking around, he saw other patrons in the library start to gather in the entrances to the room they were in. They looked concerned and whispered amongst each other. He knew that couldn't be good, especially from his time living in New York. Most people in this realm did not believe in magic and would likely react negatively if Emma and Henry continued to argue about it. It was best if they left before they were thrown out.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I think we should continue this conversation at the apartment. We're getting an audience."

"What?" she asked before looking around. He felt her tense up as she nodded. "We should get out of here."

"Let me gather everything then," Henry said, reaching for some of the books on the table.

Robin stopped him as he saw a stern-looking woman approach them with a security guard. "Leave it. I'll handle it," he told Henry in a low voice.

"Are you sure?" Henry asked, looking hesitant. "I think I can explain…"

Emma shot him a look. "Just listen to Robin, okay?"

Henry nodded as the librarian approached them. "What is going on here?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry," Emma said. "My son and his girlfriend are playing hooky from school and I'm afraid I wasn't able to hold back my disappointment."

"Well, there are worse places to go than the library," the librarian said, softening a bit. "But while I understand why you were upset, we can't have raised voices in the library. People are trying to read or study."

Emma nodded, wrapping her arm around Henry. "We're really sorry. Aren't we, Henry?"

He nodded, apologizing to the librarian. As he did that, Emma moved him so they were blocking the table from the librarian's view. Violet also moved closer to them as well. Robin noted that other patrons in the library started to drift away now that it was clear this was just a mother scolding her son. It was time to make his move and he opened his bag enough to slide the books, chalice parts and knife into it with one fluid motion. He closed his bag again as he stepped closer to the others, placing his hand on Henry's shoulder.

"I think it's time for us to go home and have a long talk," he said. "We've inconvenienced everyone in the library long enough."

"Thank you," the librarian said. She then turned to Henry. "You listen to your parents. While there is a lot to learn in the library, school is the best place for that."

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Emma and Robin ushered Violet and Henry from the room. They continued walking and Robin held his breath as they got closer to the door though he was certain the librarian hadn't realized items on the table were now gone. It may have been too long since his last job as a thief but he knew he hadn't lost his touch.

They stepped back into the bright sun and Robin let out the breath he was holding. At this point, he was certain they were in the clear. Now, they could return to the apartment and hopefully understand why Henry did what he did while explaining the true ramifications of his actions.

Stealing those items was likely going to be the easiest part of his day.


When they returned to the apartment, the tension around Henry seemed ready to burst. Even Violet appeared more nervous now that they were back in the privacy of the apartment, her eyes darting between Henry and the two adults as she waited to see what would happen. Robin wasn't sure either and he kept his arms at his side, wanting to remain open to hear what the boy had to say before trying to make him understand the full gravity of what he had done.

Henry tossed his backpack down and glared defiantly at them. "I destroyed magic," he announced again.

"We know," Emma said, her jaw tense. "Did you mean everything you said in the library?"

"I did," Henry said. "Magic has brought nothing to our lives and I'm glad it's gone."

She started to say something but Robin held up his hand, shaking his head. He had a feeling that Henry had a lot to get off his chest. The best thing they could do now was listen and be there for the boy who had lost too much too soon and too fast.

Hopefully it would help him and then they could process what Henry's actions meant for them all.

"Go ahead," Robin said softly. "We're listening, Henry."

"At first I thought magic was cool," Henry said. "I thought it would make everything better. But I was naive and foolish. Magic has made nothing better."

He started to pace as his face grew redder. "I end up caught in a sleeping curse prepared by my own mother for my other mother. And not long after I woke up and I thought we were going to have a happy ending, magic swept through the town and we never enjoyed a calm moment after that.

"You and Grandma got swept away to the Enchanted Forest and you just came back before I was kidnapped and taken to Never Land," he continued. "Then Peter Pan tried to destroy the world, forcing Mom to undo her curse and send everyone but you and me back to the Enchanted Forest again.

"You realize that was the longest we went without anything crazy happening?" Henry stopped, now looking directly at Emma. "We were so happy."

Robin also turned to Emma, who had tears in her eyes. She nodded. "We were."

"Then Hook showed up and while I'm glad I ultimately reunited with our family, it's been nonstop since then," he said. "Zelena, Ingrid, the Queens of Darkness, you becoming the Dark One and all of us going to Camelot then going to the Underworld. When does it stop? When do we get a break?"

Emma sighed, looking lost. "I don't know, kid."

"Well, I do," Henry said. "We can't just wait for it to stop. We need to make it stop. And so I did by destroying magic the same way it has destroyed our lives."

"But you didn't just destroy magic," Emma told him. She stepped forward as her phone rang. Robin's heart stopped as she pulled it out, softly saying: "It's David. I should take this."

Emma answered the phone while walking away. Henry frowned as he turned to Robin. "What did she mean by that?"

Robin sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I used to like sitting on the fire escape when I needed some fresh air and to clear my mind. Why don't we head out there now and just have a little chat man-to-man?"

"You understand why I did it, right?" Henry asked, panic now in his eyes. "I figured if anyone can understand, it's you."

"I do understand," Robin said, placing his hand on Henry's shoulder. He thought of his honor code and how his distrust of magic had influenced it. But he had changed, learning that magic wasn't entirely good or bad. Magic just was.

He then placed his other hand on Henry's other shoulder, leaning down to look the boy in the eyes. "But just because I understand doesn't mean I approve."

The light dimmed in Henry's eyes and Robin felt him deflate. "You don't?"

"Like I said, let's go outside and talk," Robin said, releasing Henry to open the window. He sat on the sill, motioning for Henry to follow. "Come on."

He slid onto the cool metal fire escape and watched as Henry climbed out as well. The boy settled next to him and Robin patted his knee. "Everything has been crazy lately, hasn't it? And not in a good way."

"It's been awful," Henry said glumly. "I always wanted an adventure. I guess they're right when they warn you to be careful what you wish for."

"They usually are," Robin agreed.

Henry nodded, looking around. "How often did you used to come out here and sit?"

"A few times a week," Robin said. "Sometimes every day. I had a lot to think about and it felt confining in that apartment. I was used to sleeping under the stars and being surrounded by vast forests."

"Did you hate it here in New York?" Henry asked.

Robin considered his answer, knowing his feelings about the city were conflicted at best. "I wouldn't say hate," he said. "But I definitely wasn't happy. I believe everything would've been different had I been here with your mother."

Henry nodded, biting his lip. "Don't you blame magic for what happened?"

"No," Robin said. "I usually blame myself."

"I blamed you too," Henry admitted quietly. "For a long time, I was angry that you would betray my mom like that. After all, you were her soulmate."

Robin nodded, understanding his feelings. "I know. But it was a complicated situation, Henry. I thought I would never see your mother again. And part of me still loved Marian. I thought that would be enough to build a happy life for us and Roland. I promised your mum. If anything, I couldn't let her down."

"Did you suspect that Marian wasn't really Marian?" Henry asked. "Did you sense something off with her?"

"I did," Robin admitted. "But I kept rationalizing it away."

Henry frowned. "Why?"

"Guilt," Robin said, shrugging. "Guilt that I was no longer the man Marian married and that it wasn't fair for her that everything was so different. And then it was guilt because I thought I was failing your mum."

"That sounds awful," Henry said. "You must've been so miserable even before you knew the truth."

Robin shrugged. "There were some good times. Mostly with Roland. But I did miss Storybrooke, you and your mother."

"I missed you too," Henry said. "You and Roland. It felt like we were just starting to be a family and then you were gone."

"I know," Robin replied, squeezing his shoulder. "Our timing just never seemed right, did it?"

Henry shook his head. "It wasn't timing. It was magic. Magic kept our family apart. Magic ruined everything and that's why I had to destroy it. I still can't believe you don't approve of it. Look at how magic hurt you. Zelena used magic to make you think your wife was back, magic to trick you into leaving Storybrooke, magic to get pregnant with your baby."

Robin nodded, knowing all of that was true. "Yes, but all of that happened because of Zelena. She just happened to be using magic. And the end result was Margot, meaning magic gave me her. We can agree that Margot is good, yeah?"

"Well, yeah," Henry agreed, blinking. "Of course she is. She's my sister and I love her."

"Exactly," Robin said, choking up a bit to hear Henry call Margot his sister. "I think she proves that magic can give us good things."

Henry looked thoughtful as he stared into the distance. Robin moved a bit closer to him. "I know your mom inside counts you as another good thing magic gave her. And I think if we had asked Regina, she would've said the same."

"I know," Henry said softly.

"You know I was not a fan of magic before I met your mum," Robin said. "I too often believed that it caused more harm than good. But after meeting your mum, I realized that magic is just magic. It's the person using it who is ultimately good or evil. Destroying magic won't change that and it won't stop bad things from happening. But it does take one more tool from our arsenal that allows us to protect the people and things we love."

Henry's lower lip trembled. "Mom protected us. That's what she used her magic for in the end. To make sure we were all safe."

"That's all she ever wanted," Robin said, feeling a lump in his throat. "She just wanted us to be happy and safe."

"I miss her, Robin," Henry said, his voice cracking as tears poured down his cheek. "I feel so lost without her."

Robin wrapped his arm around Henry and pulled him close as Henry broke down crying. "I know. Me too."

He rested his chin on Henry's head as he held the boy as close as possible on the fire escape. Robin rocked his son - because that was what Henry was to him even if they never said the word - as he cried, mourning for the mother taken from him too soon. Tears continued to roll down his own cheek, grieving the woman gone from their lives as well as all the heartbreak Henry had experienced in his short life. First he had lost his father and now his mother as well as a father figure in Hook.

No wonder he was angry.

It wasn't fair.

"Hey." It was almost so soft, Robin missed it. But he still looked up to find a pale and red-eyed Emma leaning out the window.

Still holding Henry, Robin asked: "How's Storybrooke?"

"It's still standing," she replied. "But my parents don't know for how much longer."

Henry sat up, tears still running down his cheeks and his eyes red-rimmed. "What do you mean?"

Emma sighed. "Maybe you two should come inside for this. We don't want anyone overhearing this."

"Good idea," Robin agreed, rubbing Henry's back. "Head on in. I'll be right behind you."

Henry climbed back through the window and Emma helped him into the apartment. Robin took one last deep breath, taking in the heavier city air before he also climbed back inside as well. Closing the window behind him, he turned to face Henry and Emma. "Do you want to tell him?" he asked Emma.

"Tell me what?" Henry asked, looking between the two of them. "What's going on with Storybrooke?"

"Storybrooke was created by the curse, by magic," Emma told him. "And now that magic is gone, Storybrooke's foundation is gone and the town will likely collapse or disappear. We're not entirely sure. All we know is that once you left with the chalice, the town was rocked by several earthquakes."

The color drained from Henry's face. "You mean Storybrooke is going to disappear? I've destroyed the one place my mother felt at home?"

"You didn't know," Robin told him, squeezing his shoulder. "None of us knew until you left."

"What will happen to everyone?" Henry asked, still looking panicked. "Will they end up back in the Enchanted Forest? Or stay here in this world?"

Emma shrugged. "The best guess is that everyone will stay here but Storybrooke will slowly disintegrate around us. With magic gone, the ability to travel between realms is also gone. That's all we know."

"What about the other realms?" Robin asked. "Did Henry destroy all magic or just magic here? Will they be affected?"

"You're asking the wrong person. That's something that Re…" Emma caught herself but Robin's heart felt squeezed as he knew what she was about to say. Regina would've known the answer to his questions. She likely would've already tried to come up with a way to save Storybrooke without magic as well.

Death had been too good for Hades in Robin's opinion.

Emma cleared her throat before looking at him directly. "There's more and it affects you."

"Me?" he asked, his heart pounding. "How so?"

"Once people got word that magic could be destroyed and experienced all the tremors in Storybrooke, Merida and Guinevere gather the people of Camelot and they asked to return home," she said. "My parents reluctantly let Zelena have the wand so she could create a portal back there."

A chill swept through him as he thought of his daughter. "Margot?"

"She's fine," Emma assured him. "My parents didn't let Zelena anywhere near her. Mom stayed home with her, Roland and Neal while Dad guarded Zelena as she cast the spell. But with magic acting funny, the spell was more powerful than she expected and Zelena got sucked up in it with the others."

Robin blinked a few times as he processed that information. "You mean Zelena…?"

"Is gone from the realm altogether," she told him. "And according to my parents, she dropped the wand when she got pulled into the portal so even if we do manage to bring back magic, she's likely stuck wherever she is for a long time if not forever."

It felt like a weight was lifted from Robin's shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't have to worry about her trying to take Margot or worrying about custody."

Emma shook her head, giving him a little smile. "You do not. You can raise Margot on your own."

"Yes," he replied, sadness filling him as he realized the dual truth of that statement. He wouldn't have to raise his daughter with Zelena but he also wouldn't be able to raise her with Regina either.

Guilt then filled him. He knew that Regina had been trying to reconcile with her sister before her death. Part of him believed that she would want him to try to raise Margot with Zelena. But he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Not when Zelena was responsible for Regina's death.

He hoped wherever Regina was, she forgave him.

"So do we head back to Storybrooke?" he asked, wondering what their next steps were. "Talk with the Dark One and Blue? See what they think we should do?"

"Actually, there's someone I think we can see here in New York," Emma said. "August told me about him."

Henry perked up. "The Dragon?"

She nodded. "The Dragon."

"Who is the Dragon?" Robin asked. "And please tell me that he is not an actual dragon?"

Emma and Henry laughed as she shook her head. "He is not. But he is mystical and clearly not from this realm. He might have the answers we need."

"Okay," Robin replied, deciding to trust them. He motioned to the bedroom. "Should I get Violet?"

Emma shook her head, motioning to the window. "It's too late to go out now. We should spend the night and see him in the morning. Okay?"

Though Robin was hoping that they could get back on the road so he could get home sooner to his other children, he knew that was unfair to Emma. She needed her own rest in order to do the drive back to Maine. Robin nodded. "Yeah, that's fine. You and Violet should take the bed. Henry can have the couch and I'll sleep on the floor."

"The floor?" Emma asked. "You think you can handle that?"

"Of course," Robin said, shrugging. "It's a bit harder than the ground but give me a blanket and a pillow and I should be fine."

Henry glanced over at the couch. "Maybe it pulls out into a bed and we can share instead?"

"You two can figure it out while I run out and get us something to eat," Emma said. She motioned to the door. "Should I get Violet?"

"I'll get her," Henry said. "She's probably confused and worried. I should talk to her."

He disappeared into the bedroom as Emma moved closer to Robin. Lowering her voice, she said: "Looks like he had a breakdown out there. How is he?"

Robin sighed, shrugging. "He's a kid who has lost a lot but especially the most important person in his life, his one constant. He's flailing and needs support and guidance now more than ever."

"Yeah," she said. "Henry's always been so independent and confident, that it's easy to forget he's still a kid and needs a parent."

"I think with all the craziness in his life, he may have grown up a little too fast and has forgotten he is also just a kid," Robin said. "And now he's been reminded of that in the most painful way possible."

She nodded. "Well, at least he has the two of us. So he still has parents in this world."

Robin paused, his heart skipping a beat. "You consider me to be one of Henry's parents?" he asked.

"Henry does," Emma said, now looking straight ahead and not at him. "It's clear he views you as a father figure, much like David. He didn't even see Hook that way."

Bitterness and sadness mingled in her tone. Robin knew he should offer up some words of comfort but found himself unable. He was still dealing with his own grief while also helping his children - including Henry - with theirs. As much as he considered Emma a friend, he couldn't shoulder her grief as well. It was just too much for one man.

"Violet is okay with the plan," Henry said, coming out of the room with her. "She just wants to call her dad."

"Of course," Robin said, fishing out his phone. He held it out to Violet. "Do you know his number?"

She took the phone. "I know he's staying at Granny's."

"I have her number programmed in," he told Violet. "Henry can help you find it."

Thanking him, Violet went back into the bedroom with Henry so they could call her father. Emma grabbed the keys and motioned to the door. "I'll be back with dinner. Will you be okay here?"

Robin nodded. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

"Alright," Emma said, slipping out of the apartment.

Once she was gone, Robin sighed and went to the kitchen to get out the plates. He tried not to think of all the meals he had shared with "Marian" and Roland back when he called this apartment home. It would not help to dwell on the past. Right now, he needed to focus on the present and saving his real home – Storybrooke.


"I forgot how much I hated that contraption," Robin said, climbing the stairs from the subway station after they got off the train. "I felt like I was trapped in a can."

"I know but it's the fastest way around the city," Emma said, stopping once they got to the street. She looked around. "Now, which way was it again?"

Robin frowned, looking at the different buildings. Many had red and gold designs that reminded him of Storybrooke's one Chinese food place, Mushu's. Like Mushu's, most buildings had dragon designs on them. How were they going to find The Dragon Emma and Henry seemed to know?

"It was down this street," Henry said, pointing straight ahead. "I think I can see the market already."

Emma nodded. "I think you're right. Let's go."

She led them down the street with Robin taking the rear to keep an eye on Henry and Violet. He didn't think either would run away again - he just didn't trust the city after his few weeks calling it home. It was too loud and too busy, throwing off even his expert tracking skills. Unable to trust his own instincts, Robin took even more precautions than he usually did.

"Here we are," Emma said, stopping in front of a tent-like store. "Follow me."

They entered the tent and a man in a red robe looked up. He nodded. "I was expecting you," he said.

"Because I destroyed magic?" Henry asked, sounding guilty.

"Ahh, that was you," The Dragon said, nodding. "But you didn't destroy magic."

Surprise, relief and hope filled Robin as he placed his hand on Henry's shoulder. The boy's hazel eyes widened as he asked: "I didn't?"

The Dragon chuckled, shaking his head. "You can't destroy magic. As long as even one person believes in it, it will always be present in the universe and across all the worlds."

"Then what did I do?" Henry asked. "Because I clearly did something."

Emma nodded. "Storybrooke is being rocked by earthquakes and we're afraid it will disappear."

"It sounds like you are dealing with two different issues then," the Dragon said. "Let's tackle them one at a time, okay?"

"Okay," she replied, shooting Robin a look. He could only just return it, feeling as confused as she looked. If Storybrooke's destruction wasn't tied to what Henry did with magic, then what was causing the issues with the town?

The Dragon motioned for them to follow him toward a private room. "Tell me how you think you destroyed magic, Henry," he said as they walked.

Henry explained everything as The Dragon pulled down a red curtain, nodding every so often. "That vessel did contain magic but it was to stabilize and contain it, not store and protect it," he explained.

"What?" Henry asked, sounding confused as well.

"Magic is powerful and so is relatively unstable," The Dragon explained. "It was bound to the chalice millennia ago to help use it and to make it more manageable."

Violet frowned. "Then why was it in two pieces?"

"Because those who wanted magic for selfish purposes tried to possess it and keep it for themselves," he explained. "It was split so no one person could do that. And entrusted to those who would not use magic for their own gain. They didn't always stay with those people but without both halves, magic remained possible for everyone rather than a select few."

"That makes sense," Henry said. "So how do we bind it again?"

The Dragon chuckled. "Do you still have the chalice?"

"We do," Henry replied. "We can use it again? Even though I used the dagger against it?"

"You likely only dented it," The Dragon said. "And binding magic to it will restore it. Then I recommend splitting it again."

Emma nodded. "Of course."

"How do we bind the magic?" Robin asked. "Is that something you can do? Emma? Who?"

"You do not need to possess magic to bind it," the Dragon told him. "You need a big group of believers. I will give you something to recite and that should be able to bind magic to the chalice again."

Emma wrapped her arm around Henry. "I think we can find a big group of believers at home, don't you?"

He nodded. "I think so."

"What about the second problem?" Robin asked, not wanting them to forget that. "What's wrong with Storybrooke?"

"It lost its creator," the Dragon replied. "It cannot survive without her."

Emma frowned. "But my mother cast the second curse that created this Storybrooke."

"She recreated the original Storybrooke," he said. "It still is tied to Regina and now that she is gone, it is falling apart."

"Is there any way to save it?" Henry asked, sounding panicked now.

The Dragon nodded. "You need to save Regina."

Robin caught Emma's eye, noting she frowned as well. Henry swallowed before saying: "My mom is dead."

"Her soul is currently separated from her body, yes," the Dragon said. "But that can only be a temporary situation depending on how quickly you act."

"You mean we could bring her back from the dead?" Robin asked, thinking of their disastrous trip to the Underworld but not wanting to say anything for Emma's sake.

She, though, spoke up. "We tried to rescue my boyfriend from the Underworld but Hades disabled the way to bring someone back from the dead. We had to leave him there. It seems dead is dead."

"The world of the dead is large and complex," the Dragon said. "The Underworld is only a fraction of it. Regina is not there but in another corner of the world of the dead. And her soul can be rescued by the right person."

He looked right at Robin, who realized what he meant. "By her soulmate," he said.

"Yes," he replied. "But your window to rescue her is closing. If you don't do it soon, she will remain in the world of the dead forever and Storybrooke will disappear."

That certainly sounded ominous and perhaps even just a year ago, Robin would've jumped at the chance to save Regina. But he was a different man now. He had watched his soulmate die twice and cradled her body before having to see the heartbreak in both Henry's and Roland's eyes as they realized she was gone. With his baby daughter now making it three children he needed to prioritize, he couldn't risk rushing into another job where he did not have an exit plan and could potentially not return to his family.

Emma spoke up before he could. "What will happen to everyone in Storybrooke if we don't rescue her?"

"They will be homeless," he replied. "They will remain in this world and will likely need to find a new place to live, which will be hard given that their lives here were created by a curse. If they can get back to the Enchanted Forest, that might be for the best but that will also be hard."

"We can't lose Storybrooke," Henry said, looking up at Robin. "It's our home."

His heart broke, knowing he was likely going to have a painful conversation with Henry and the others of Storybrooke to determine what his next steps were. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and squeezed Henry's shoulder. "We can talk about this later," he said.

"Why?" Henry stepped back, hurt and anger filling his eyes. "Didn't you once say you would go to hell and back to get Marian? Why won't you do the same for Mom? I know you love her so why aren't you jumping at the chance to go rescue her?"

"Hey, kid, go easy on him," Emma said. "I actually crawled through hell and back and couldn't save Killian. Robin needs to consider that as well as the fact he has you, Roland and Margot to think about as well. What happens if he doesn't come back either?"

Henry glanced over at Robin, fear filling his eyes. Robin knew in his heart that Henry couldn't lose another parental figure and he was going to do his best to make sure he didn't. Even if it meant losing Regina forever, he would at least be comforted knowing it would've been what she wanted.

But he could also see the longing in Henry's eyes, see how much the boy wanted his mother back. So Robin reached out again and squeezed his shoulder. "But I won't completely rule it out, okay? I need to think about it."

"Okay," Henry said softly. He then hugged Robin. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Robin replied, hugging Henry back and holding him as tightly as possible.

"If you go, you're going to need this," the Dragon said, approaching Robin again. He held out his hand and uncurled his fingers to reveal a large brass key. "This will get you inside where you need to start. The rest will be up to you."

Robin took the key, frowning. "What does this unlock?"

"When you are ready, the key will lead you to the right door," the Dragon said cryptically.

"Okay," Robin said, slipping the key into his pocket. He wasn't sure how he would find that door but that was a problem for another day.

Emma looked between him and the Dragon before asking: "Is there anything we can do to stabilize Storybrooke now? We're experiencing an earthquake almost every hour now."

He stroked his chin before nodding. "Give me one minute. I think I have something in the back that can help with that."

The Dragon slipped behind the curtain as Robin continued to hold onto Henry. "You okay?" he asked the boy.

"I just want to go home," Henry said, sounding tired. "I want to put this all behind me."

"I know," Robin replied, rubbing his arm. "Just a little bit longer and then we can all head back to Storybrooke."

Henry nodded. "Good."

The Dragon emerged and handed Emma a small vial. "You need to pour this over Storybrooke's core and it will slow down the deterioration but it may only buy you a few months at the most."

"Where is Storybrooke's core?" Robin asked, wondering if they had a search on their hands when they got back home.

"It's deep in the mines," Henry said. "It used to house a trigger Mom had put in with the curse that would destroy everything if necessary. She and Mom destroyed it and saved Storybrooke when Tamara and Greg tried to destroy us as well."

Robin frowned, his heart constricting at the thought of someone hurting Regina and Henry. "That sounds intense."

"It was," Henry said, looking sad. "We almost lost Mom then and we hadn't really made up yet. It was awful."

"Sounds like it," Robin said, hugging him. He tried not to focus on the fact that Regina could've died at that time. It hurt to think how much she had been through before Hades aimed that crystal at her.

Emma placed the vial in her pocket. "Well, thank you. We should probably head back to Storybrooke."

"Yes," the Dragon said. "The sooner you use what I gave you, the better and longer you have to properly save the town."

"Thank you for your help," Robin said. "We appreciate it."

The Dragon nodded. "Good luck, no matter what you decide."

Emma ushered them outside and sighed. "Okay, let's get something to eat and then hit the road back to Storybrooke. Sound good?"

"It does," Robin replied. "Let's go."

As they walked away, the key weighed down Robin's pocket. Part of him wanted to go find Regina right away but the other part thought of his children, knowing he couldn't just abandon them for some quest he could potentially not return from. He was going to have to debate the pros and cons once he got back to Storybrooke and hoped he could live with his decision - no matter what it was.


It was after dark when they got back to Storybrooke.

Henry and Violet were asleep in the backseat, leaning against each other. Robin smiled as he glanced back at them once again, his heart constricting as he wished Regina was there to watch her son fall in love for the first time. So he vowed to be there for the boy in her stead and help him navigate the complicated world of romance and love.

Unless he brought her back…

Robin patted his pocket, the key already leaving an impression. His mind felt sluggish and he was fighting to keep his eyes open, so he knew he was in no condition to make any decisions. But he couldn't help but imagine getting Regina back, to having the family he had dreamed about in the Underworld.

That would be his happy ending.

"It's good to be home," Emma said. "Do you want me to take you to Regina's?"

He shook his head. "You can take me to your parents. I just want to see my other children and hug them."

Emma nodded. "Okay."

They entered the main part of Storybrooke and not long after that, she pulled up to the loft where the Charmings lived. She parked the car and sighed, glancing into the backseat. "Time to wake those two up," she said.

"Yeah," he said. "And we should probably get Violet back to her father. I'm sure he's worried sick about her."

"Good point," Emma said, opening the back door. She shook Henry away and then had him wake up Violet. "Alright, you two, let's head upstairs. Violet, we'll get you home to your father as soon as we can."

The two teenagers slid out of the car and they headed up to the Charmings' loft together. David let them in, his eyes full of concern. "Well?"

"It's a long story," Emma said with a sigh. "Let's get Violet home and then we can tell it to you."

Robin saw Mary Margaret in the kitchen, rocking a fussy Margot as she tried to get the baby girl to take her bottle. He tuned out Emma's and David's conversation as he strode forward, holding out his arms. "I can take her," he said.

"Are you sure?" Snow asked. "You just got in. You must be tired and hungry."

"I am but I also really want to hold my daughter," he said, eager to have Margot in his arms again.

She nodded, gently placing his daughter into his arms and handed him her bottle. Robin eased the nipple between her lips and she latched on, drinking her formula as she rolled closer to him. He kissed her forehead. "Hello, sweetheart. Daddy's back."

"She's missed you," Snow said, smiling. "So has Roland. He's going to be glad to see you in the morning."

"I am going to be glad to see him too," Robin agreed, feeling more at peace now that he had all three of his children in one place. Hopefully, he was able to keep it that way for a long, long time.

Emma ended the call on her phone and turned to Violet. "I spoke with your father at the bed and breakfast. He's coming over to pick you up. Apparently he knows how to drive a car."

"Yes," Violet said. "He was born in this world and traveled to Camelot as an adult, joining King Arthur's court and meeting my mom. He's gone back to his real name, Hank Morgan. So I guess I'm Violet Morgan now."

"And you're staying here in Storybrooke?" Henry asked, hope in his eyes.

She nodded. "I think we are. Dad said he forgot how much better some things were here for me than there and so wants me to get a chance to experience life here. He said I can then make my choice where I want to live when I'm older."

"That sounds like a good idea," Snow said, nodding.

"Aye. I must say I'm partial to this world myself."

Everyone froze before slowly turning toward the sound of the voice. Hook leaned over the railing, looking over everyone below before his eyes landed on Emma's. Robin watched as his gaze softened and he smiled. "It has everything I need."

"Killian," Emma said, her voice breathy. "Are you…are you…?"

"I'm alive," he replied. "And back for good."

David nodded, crossing his arms as he approached Emma. "He showed up here shortly after you left. We didn't think this was something to tell you over the phone," he said.

"No," she replied, her eyes still on Hook. "It definitely wasn't."

Hook came down as he explained how he had returned from the dead. "After I sent you those missing pages about Hades' story, I was allowed to cross over from the Underworld into the Afterlife. Except I didn't end up in Elysium but rather Olympus. Zeus greeted me and told me that as a reward for my part in defeating Hades, I would be allowed to return to my life. And now here I am."

Tears filled Emma's eyes as she framed his face with her hands. "I can't believe it."

As their reunion played out, Robin turned away and burped Margot. He found his daughter's bassinet near Snow's room and walked to it, glad for the chance to put some space between himself and the happy scene in the living room.

Hook had been given a second chance at life as a reward. But as Robin replayed that awful day in Regina's office again, he couldn't see how Hook had played any part in what happened. Regina had sacrificed herself for Robin's daughter so they could try to get her to safety. For all his problems with Zelena, she had cared enough about Regina to turn on her lover to avenge her sister. She had decided to use the crystal against him. Emma hadn't entered the scene until Hades was a pile of ash, no longer a threat.

Regina had done more to defeat Hades than Hook ever did. So why was he back and she still gone?

It wasn't fair.

"Robin," Hook said. "I want to express my condolences. Regina had been through a lot and didn't deserve to die."

Swallowing, Robin turned around to face the other man. Hook held out his hand, looking for Robin to shake it and accept his condolences as he said: "At least she died a hero, eh?"

A hero.

Those words echoed around his head as he looked at Hook, who still had his hand in midair. Robin flashed to the night they stood in Storybrooke's cemetery as wraiths moved closer to their group, ready to take their lives and consume their souls. As the Dark One, he still took great delight in their upcoming demise - not caring that he was about to orphan three children. Nor did he care that he had marked a child, Henry, for death. While he had come to his senses and sacrificed himself to end what he had started, he had never apologized for it. Being the Dark One did not excuse what he had done. He had made that decision, something neither Emma nor Rumpelstiltskin had done. Only he had gone there and Robin wasn't sure that his ultimate sacrifice wiped that away - or anything else he had done prior to that.

Regina, on the other hand, had given up her son in order to save him and everyone in Storybrooke. She had worked with the people she had once terrorized to stop the Wicked Witch, ultimately using white magic against Zelena to stop her evil plans yet still offering her sister a chance at redemption. No matter what happened, Regina worked hard and kept resisting the temptation of evil. Time and time again, she had proven she wasn't a villain but a hero - even losing her life while trying to save his daughter from Hades.

Yet Zeus had declared Hook a hero and sent him back instead of Regina.

It felt like some sick joke.

"Robin? Earth to Robin. You okay, mate?" Hook asked, almost smirking.

And all Robin wanted to do was wipe it off his face. So he raised his arm and pulled it back, balling his hand into a fist. Robin let his fist fly until it connected with Hook's face.


A/N: Who here didn't want to punch Hook when he got to come back and Robin got to stay dead?

Will Robin decide to go after Regina? And if so, will he be able to bring her back and save Storybrooke?

Where exactly is Regina's soul?

Find out soon!

-Mac