In Dr. Hopper's office, Henry was in for his weekly session. He had his story book in hand, and was telling Archie all about his Enchanted Forest counterpart: Jiminy Cricket.
"You weren't always a cricket," Henry explained. "When you were a child, your parents made you help them with their puppet show. Of course, it wasn't an ordinary puppet show. They were crooks and liars, and they made you pickpocket their belongings. You hated it, and wanted nothing more than to be free. It's why you liked crickets so much. They could hop from place to place whenever they wanted."
"I see," Archie replied. "Henry, why do you think I'm Jiminy Cricket?"
"I don't think you're Jiminy Cricket, I know you are. Your a conscience, helping people see right from wrong. You learned how a long time ago, and you've been helping other people ever since. Even with the Curse, all you want is for people to be brave, truthful, and unselfish."
"But what about all the crickets in Storybrooke? Wouldn't it make more sense for one of them to be Jiminy?"
"There are no crickets in Storybrooke." Henry got up, opening the office window. "Just listen."
Archie listened for a moment, but heard nothing.
"Maybe it's not late enough."
"There have never been crickets here," Henry replied, sitting back down. "You've just never noticed."
"And you think it's because of this curse?" Archie asked.
"I do, but it's not enough proof. I need more, but don't worry. I'm looking.""
"Right… Henry, I asked you this once before, and I asked you to think about it. Why do you think it's so important that this is real?"
Henry paused, unsure of how to respond.
"It… it just is," he finally answered.
"Alright," Archie allowed. "Keep thinking about that answer, Henry. I think there's something buried there."
…
At the Sheriff's station, Emma was meeting with Sheriff Graham, discussing her new position as deputy. At the moment, she was holding up the deputy shirt and tie, giving her new partner an incredulous look.
"A tie?" she questioned. "You know you don't have to dress a woman as a man to give her authority."
"So you think you can get people to do what you want in that red coat?" Graham remarked.
"I'm getting you to do what I want right now," Emma retorted, throwing the shirt down.
"Well, at least wear the badge." Graham held out the Deputy badge and Emma hesitated. "Go on. Take it. If you really want to be a part of this community, you have to make it official."
After a minute, she took the badge and clipped it to her belt. The second she did, there was a loud tremor, one powerful enough to shake the office briefly. Car alarms went off outside, and about five seconds after it ended, all of the telephones began to ring.
…
A few miles away from town, a small crowd started gathering around an old mine shaft where the quake seemed to be originating from. Among those to arrive was Regina, who quickly got out of her car and quickly took charge of the situation.
"Everyone, stand back!" Regina demanded.
"What is that?" Ruby wondered. "Some kind of crater?"
"No, they were tunnels," Marco explained. "Old mines. Something must have collapsed."
"They were rather unstable," Eve remarked. "I guess something must have finally set them off."
"Everyone, please stay back," Regina pressed as Graham and Emma arrived. "Sheriff, set up a police perimeter. Marco, why don't you help with the fire department. Miss Swan, this is now officially town business. You're free to go."
"Actually, I work for the town now," Emma informed.
"She's my new deputy," Graham added.
"Is she?" Eve asked as she joined the group, grinning. "Congratulations, Emma."
"And they say the Mayor's the last to know," Regina remarked bitterly.
"It's in my budget," Graham replied.
"Besides, considering the severity of the situation, the more hands on deck, the better," Eve proposed.
"Indeed," Regina relented before turning back to Emma. "why don't you make yourself useful and help with crowd control? And Miss Flemming, since you seem so eager to help, you can join her."
Eve gave a mock bow as she joined Emma to work on the crowds. Meanwhile, Regina addressed those in attendance.
"People of Storybrooke," she spoke. "don't be alarmed. We've always known this area was honeycombed with old mining tunnels, but fear not. I'm going to undertake a project to make this area safe, to rehabilitate it for city use. We will bulldoze it, collapse it, pave it."
"Pave it?" Henry questioned, approaching with Archie in tow. "What if something's down there? What are you trying to hide?"
"Henry, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry, Madame Mayor," Archie apologized. "He was curious and I was worried."
"What's down there?!" Henry pressed.
"Nothing," Regina insisted, her tone hard. "Now stay back. It's dangerous here. In fact, everyone please stay back!"
As everyone moved to do as they were told, Regina caught sight of a piece of glass in the rubble. She picked it up, sliding it into her coat pocket.
"What was that?" Henry wondered.
"Henry, enough," Regina snapped, pulling him aside. "Go wait in the car, this area is dangerous."
"But-"
"Now!"
"Henry, do what she says," Eve insisted. "Go on, go."
Henry finally relented and walked off.
"Deputy Swan, Sheriff, cordon off the area," Regina instructed before walking off.
As Emma and Graham got to work, Henry discretely slipped out of the car and motions Eve and Archie over to him.
"Miss Flemming! Archie! Over here."
The two quickly came over, with Emma seeing this and deciding to join in.
"This is going to take all of Operation Cobra," Henry informed. "All three of us."
"I didn't realize I was part of this… 'Operation Cobra'," Archie spoke up.
"It is certainly news to me," Eve told him before looking straight at Henry. "I thought you were supposed to be in the car."
"Of course you're part of it Archie," Henry confirmed, seemingly ignoring Eve. "You know everything. We can't let her do this. What if there's something down there."
"It's just some old tunnels," Emma told him.
"That just happen to collapse after you got into town? You're changing things. You're weakening the Curse."
"She's right, Henry," Eve insisted. "Those tunnels have been unstable for years. I should know because I went exploring them on a whim."
"You did?" Archie questioned.
"I… needed something to do to pass the time. All I found was dust, broken cart tracks, and highly unstable structures."
"And did they ever collapse like this?" Henry asked.
"Well… no, but-"
"Then that proves it. Emma, did you do anything different today? Because that's what caused it."
Emma paused, then a hand drifted to the Deputy badge on her belt.
"Henry!" Regina called out, causing everyone to look up as she approached. "I thought I told you to wait in the car. Deputy, you have a job to do. I suggest you get back to it."
Emma immediately got back to work as Henry made his way back to the car and Eve and Archie dispersed.
"Dr. Hopper, a word," Regina spoke up, getting Archie's attention.
He quickly turned around and faced Regina.
"Ok, we're done with this," she declared.
"Uh, excuse me?"
"My son. We need a new treatment plan. Everything I do he thinks is part of some horrible plot. I can't cover up a safety hazard without him thinking I'm hiding something. How am I hiding something terrible in an old mine? How is any of this logical to him?"
"He's got an amazing imagination."
"Yes, that you let run rampant."
"Well I think it would be wrong to rip away the world he's constructed. I'd rather use it to try and get-"
"Sometimes I think you've forgotten. You work for me. You're an employee, and I can fire you. This is my town. You will lose your office, lose your house. I can cut you down to size until you're a tiny, shrunken little creature, and this (holds up his umbrella) will be the only roof over your damn head."
The threat gave Arche cause for pause.
"What would you have me do?" he finally answered.
"You take that delusion out of my son's head... and you crush it."
The Enchanted Forest, many years ago…
A ratty wagon covered in patches and haphazard paint came rolling into a small market, pulled by a decrepit old donkey. It came to a stop and the wagon opened, allowing two very colorful and sleazy looking people out. One was a man in an old tophat and worn suit, stringy blonde hair hanging down to his shoulders. He held out a hand for his second companion, an old, frumpy woman with wild brown hair and a gap-tooth sneer dressed in a rather ugly maroon dress.
"Come on, Jiminy," the woman called out.
Finally emerging from the wagon was their son Jiminy, a dead ringer for Dr. Hopper. The young man adjusted his ill-fitting spectacles, looking around the market as his parents crooned and schemed.
"Oh, I remember this place, don't you, Martin?" the woman asked. "Looks like it's been a good year."
"Got that right, Myrna," Martin remarked. "You can tell by all the fat people."
"Maybe we can run the elf tonic scam here."
Both of them laughed as Jiminy let out a long, forlorn sigh.
"Oh can't we just... Can't we just put on a show? We make enough on ticket sales do we have to steal too?"
The two con artists made sounds of disgust.
"We don't need to, but it's nice," Martin insisted. "We steal from them and they steal from someone else."
"It's called an economy," Myrna agreed.
"We're a vital part of it."
"I want to change," Jiminy insisted, steeling himself before facing his parents. "I-I want to quit!"
"Oh, this again," Myrna groaned, rolling her eyes.
"No, you can't leave now," Martin insisted, beginning a fast paced back and forth with his wife..
"We're getting old."
"It's my hip."
"My liver."
"I got lumps in strange places."
"I've got burning sensations."
"You'd better stay with us."
"Just until we die."
"Now, be a good boy and set up."
The two then walked away arm in arm, not even giving Jiminy a chance to get a word in. Thunder rumbled overhead, signifying a storm was brewing as Jiminy reluctantly got to work.
...
Later on, the rain was coming down hard on Jiminy as he worked to set up the wagon. A young boy carrying an umbrella approached, seeing some of the puppets that were laid out and instantly brightening.
"Puppets!" he cheered, drawing Jiminy's attention. "Wow! What a great job you have!"
Jiminy didn't say a word, merely sighing and turning back to his task with a well worn frown.
"You don't like it?" the boy asked.
"No," Jiminy replied. "No I don't. Same show, same fairs, every year."
"Well, then why don't you do something else?"
"It's just who I am." Jiminy paused for a moment and his annoyance boiled over, causing him to snap. "What, did you just come out here to watch us set up?"
"No," the boy replied with a shake of his head. "I came out here to listen to the crickets."
"Oh, crickets," Jiminy let out, taking a second to listen. "Oh, I haven't listened to the crickets in a while. Hey, you'd better get home or you're gonna catch a cold."
"So will you," the boy replied, offering his umbrella. "Here, have my umbrella. I don't live far."
Reluctantly, Jiminy took the umbrella before the boy began to hurry away.
"I can't wait to see the show!"
Jiminy watched him go, then looked at the umbrella in his hand. He smiled slightly, then got back to work.
Archie sat in his office, his hands nervously wringing the very same umbrella in his lap. All of a sudden, the door to his office opened up, and Marco stepped through.
"Archie," Marco greeted. "I was getting worried."
"What?" Archie asked, still a bit out of it after his 'talk' with Regina. "Why?"
"You never came by the shop," Marco explained. "We were supposed to get lunch, like we always do?"
"Oh, that's right! I'm sorry, but I forgot. I have another appointment. Can we reschedule?"
"Absolutely," Marco assured him as Henry came up to the door. "Have a good session, Henry."
He ruffled the boy's hair before taking his leave. Henry stepped in, closing the door and turning to Archie.
"Are you recruiting Geppetto for Operation Cobra?"
"So…" Archie spoke up. "You think Marco is Geppetto?"
"Well, sure. Geppetto is Jiminy Cricket's best friend, and Marco is yours."
Archie sucked in a breath through his teeth, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to do.
"Henry, Henry look. We... we really need to talk about this, okay?"
"I know you're not convinced, but I know where I can get proof."
He opened up his backpack, revealing a flashlight and several large candy bars. Upon seeing these items, Archie immediately realized what he was planning and his blood ran cold.
"Henry, please tell me you're not actually thinking of going down there!"
"Emma's here, and stuff's happening. I have to look at it."
"Henry, Henry, Stop." Archie held up a hand, raising his voice for the first time ever. "Stop. There is no proof. Look all of this, all of this is a delusion. Do you know what a delusion is?"
"I…" Henry stammered, "I think so."
"It's something that's not real. And... and not healthy. And... and I thought you'd outgrow this but Henry, you know... now it's turned into a psychosis. Do you know what a psychosis is?"
Henry was too stunned to answer, and Archie just kept going.
"That's... that's when you can no longer tell what's real and if that continues, then... then they have to lock you away. Henry, look this has to stop for your own good. You gotta wake up. This nonsense must end."
Henry's face was a mask of anger, pain, and betrayal. Yanking the zipper on his backpack shut, he took off out of the office, slamming the door behind him and leaving a guilt-ridden Archie in his wake.
…
Meanwhile, Mary Margaret and David were playing a friendly game of hangman in the latter's hospital room. At the moment, Mary Margaret was close to getting hanged, the chosen words reading _AR_ _AR_AR_
"I don't know. 'M'?"
"Two of them," David confirmed, writing the letters in the first spaces of each word. "Get it yet?"
She looked at the paper and turned red, closing her eyes in embarrassment.
"Yes...and I'm completely mortified. I almost hanged on my own name."
"Don't worry, I would never have let you hang. I would've added toes and a hat. Maybe a horse."
"Was this a game you played a lot before?"
David paused, genuinely wondering the same thing.
"I don't know," he finally responded.
"It'll come back. They're sending you home in a week. They have to think you're progressing, don't they?"
"Physically," David replied with a shrug.
"Well, you're making new memories just fine."
"Maybe I'll like these better."
Mary Margaret smiled, genuinely touched by his words.
"Ok, play again?" she offered.
At that moment, the door opened, allowing Kathryn Nolan to enter. She had a box of photos in her hands, and was smiling warmly.
"Can I play too?"
"Uh, Mrs. Nolan," Mary Margaret let out nervously. "Oh, it's noon already. I didn't realize. I should go."
"Good day, Miss Blanchard," Kathryn called out as she left before turning to David. "Honey, I brought more pictures. Maybe they'll jog something."
Mary Margaret paused outside the plexiglas door, meeting David's eye as Kathryn took out a picture of a dog from the box.
"It's our old dog, Ajax. Remember?"
David hesitated to look at the photo before taking it, feigning recognition.
"Yeah, yeah. Ajax."
..
At Intrinsic Things, Eve was ringing up a purchase for a young girl named Paige.
"Alright, one stuffed rabbit in a waistcoat," Eve declared, snipping the tag off of the stuffed animal before handing it to the young girl. "Now be sure to take good care of it. White fur is very hard to clean."
"Thank you Miss Flemming," Paige replied.
Eve gave her a wave as she headed out, just as Archie came walking in.
"Oh, hello Dr. Hopper," Eve greeted. "Can I help you find anything? New toys for your waiting room?"
"No, I… I think I made a terrible mistake…"
Eve's face fell at that. She went over and flipped the sign on her door from OPEN to CLOSED.
"What happened?"
…
"I am the worst person in the world," Mary Margaret lamented, sitting in her loft with Emma.
"Really?" Emma asked as she made s'mores. "In the whole world?"
"If Kathryn was horrible, it would be easier, but she's so nice."
"What exactly would be easier?"
Mary Margaret hesitated, then sighed.
"Nothing," she answered after a moment, taking a bite out of the s'more.
"Nothing's a good idea," Emma told her. "You're smart. You know not to get involved with a married guy. It's not worth the heartache, trust me."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Emma volunteered.
She opened the door and found Henry standing there, sobbing.
"Kid? What happened?"
He didn't say a word, just grabbing Emma and burying his face in her stomach.
Come in.
…
Back at Intrinsic Things, Eve was floored by what Archie had told her.
"How could you say something like that? To Henry of all people?!"
"I know… but Regina, she-"
"Regina..." Eve kicked her counter hard. "Of course it was Regina! It's always Regina! And she claims to actually care about that boy!"
"She's desperate for Henry to get past this 'curse' thing. He's obsessed."
"Oh, and she thinks just ripping it away is the best course of action?! You'd think she of all people would understand what having something dear to you suddenly destroyed would feel like!"
"What do you mean by that?"
Eve paused, then she seemed to deflate before adjusting her poncho as running her fingers through her hair.
"Nothing," she insisted. "Forget I said anything."
Just then, the door was thrown open, causing the two to turn and see Emma coming in.
"Do I even want to know how you knew to come here looking for Archie?" Eve asked, already guessing why Emma was there.
"I came to see if you knew where to find him, because I just got done consoling a distraught ten year old who just had someone he trusted call him delusional and threaten him with institutionalization!"
"I never said-" Archie tried to respond.
"You told me not to take the fantasy away from him! That it would devastate him!"
"I know, I know-"
"What could Regina have threatened you with that would cause you to ignore your own conscience?"
Just then, Emma's phone started ringing.
"Hello Madame Mayor," Emma answered coldly. "Nice work."
"Is he with you?"
"Yes, I'm with Dr. Hopper, and guess what? You left your fingerprints all over him when you-"
"Not him. Henry."
"I dropped Henry off at your office an hour ago."
"Well, he's not here."
Emma felt her anger be replaced with worry.
"I don't know where he is," she told the mayor.
Archie straightened, his face ashen as horror struck him.
"I think I do…"
In a large castle estate, Rumplestiltskin and Nicolette were sitting in his foyer in a rare moment of peace between the two. They were sipping on some tea as Jiminy came walking in. Upon seeing him, Nicolette sighed.
"Honestly, do I even want to know what you do with the things he brings you?"
"I feel the fact that I don't want you to know is reason enough."
Nicolette rolled her eyes as Jiminy placed a small bag on the table.
"Thank you very much," Rumple responded. "And the names? To whom did these treasures belong to?"
Jiminy fished into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment. Once he did, Rumple went over to Nicolette, plucking a hair from her head. She let out a small yelp, glaring at the Dark One as imbued it with magic, transforming it into a thread of gold.
"Your spindle is right there," Nicholette grumbled.
"I'd hate to waste the thread," Rumple remarked before turning back to Jiminy. "That should compensate you for your thievery. You may go now."
Jiminy started to leave, but found himself freezing in place for a second. Rumple looked up and saw this, a sick smile gracing his face.
"But you want something else," he noted. "Don't you?"
Nicolette tensed, setting down her tea cup.
"Jiminy, whatever he offers you, it's not worth the price."
"You don't know what it's like," Jiminy responded. "Every year, I am stuck in that damn wagon. I wanna be free. I wanna be something else. But something keeps holding me back."
"Something?" Rumple asked. "Or… Someone?"
Jiminy hesitated, then let out a long breath.
"It's my parents."
"Well then," Rumple declared, flaring his arms as he usually did before summoning a small, brown vial into his hand, "I have just the thing you need. This will set you free. Pour it, sprinkle it, put it in their curds and whey. Anything will do."
Jiminy reached for it, but Rumple pulled back.
"Not so fast. You have nothing to offer me."
"Good," Nicholette declared. "Meaning no deal, and no... whatever that vial contains."
"Not necessarily!" Rumple corrected, wagging a finger at her before turning back to Jiminy. "How about this. After the potion has… done it's work, leave them where they are, and I'll come and collect them. They'll be my fee."
"What… what will become of them?" Jiminy asked.
The sick smile just grew even wider.
"Worry not your silly little head. They'll be in safe hands."
"Jiminy..." Nicolette warned. "If you take that potion, there will be a price, one I don't think you want to pay."
"If it gives me the chance to be something more than a thief… the price will be worth it."
"Henry!" Emma called out as she, Eve, and Archie approached the mines. "Henry!"
As they got close, Pongo ran right up to the mines, barking insistently. Eve covered her mouth, knowing what it meant.
"You were right, Dr. Hopper," she called out. "He's gone inside!"
"Eve, you've explored these mines before, right?" Archie asked.
"Yes, what of it?"
"We need to go in after him."
"We? Archie, I don't think-"
"I'm the reason he went in there in the first place. I have to get him out."
Eve looked at the mine, then at Archie. After a moment, she let out a breath.
"Alright, but stay close. These mines were unstable before, and they'll be even more so now."
"Right," Archie replied before turning to Emma. "We'll bring him back, Emma. I promise."
With that, they began heading into the mine.
…
Inside, Henry walked through the old tunnels, gripping the flashlight in his hand. He flashed it along the cave walls, looking for anything that would prove the existence of the curse. As he rounded the corner, he came across a collapsed part of the wall, noting something shiny as his light flashed past it. Curious, he walked over and reached his hand into one of the cracks, pulling out what appeared to be a piece of decorative glass. As Henry marveled at it, the tunnel started shaking. As the rocks around him began to collapse, he dropped the glass and began to run.
…
Outside, Emma was feeling the tremors, carefully inching her way down to the entrance. Before she could get there though, the entrance collapsed, stranding Emma outside and the others inside.
"Henry! Eve! Archie!"
…
Inside the mine, Eve and Archie felt the tremors themselves, and quickly braced themselves against a nearby mine cart. Both were panting and coughing, waving dust from their faces.
"Are you alright?" Eve asked.
"Yeah," Archie replied. "You?"
"I've had worse." She fished around in her pockets, pulling out a box of matches. "There should be a lantern around here somewhere, provided the cave-in didn't destroy it."
She then pulled out a match and lit it, giving them some light to see by. Archie quickly found the lamp and Eve used the match to light it, blowing out and discarding the burnt stick.
"How does this thing still have oil?" Archie questioned.
"It's left behind from my earlier adventures. I fixed it up and filled it before I realized the tunnels were too unstable for extended visits. I'm just glad it's still-"
"Eve!" Henry suddenly called out, rushing around the corner and shining his flashlight on the pair. "Archie! You came to help me!"
"Henry!" Archie let out, running up to him. "Henry, we need to get out of here."
"So, you're still against me."
"Henry that's not important right now," Eve insisted. "We need to get out of here, before the tunnels become even more unstable."
"You too?" Henry let out. "I thought you were on my side!"
"I am on your side Henry, but this isn't about Operation Cobra! This is about your life being in very real danger!"
Henry just backed up.
"You don't think I can do this, but you'll see! You'll both see!"
He took up, much to the horror of the two adults.
"Henry!" They both screamed.
Out in the middle of the woods, Jiminy's family wagon stopped in front of a small stone house.
"Look, can't we skip this tonight?" Jiminy pleaded as they approached the house. "We don't need the money."
"Everything isn't about the money, Jiminy," Myrna replied as they reached the door. "It's about the principle."
"A commitment to excellence," Martin added, waving his hands and producing a small bottle
"Excellence... at stealing money."
"Now and take the 'elf tonic', Jiminy."
Martin held out the bottle, which Jiminy reluctantly took. His parents both laughed to themselves as Myrna knocked on the door. A young couple, Stephen and Donna, answered the door, greeting the trio with a smile. Upon seeing them, Myrna gushed.
"Oh! Such beautiful young people."
"Pardon me," Jiminy spoke up. "Do you have a place at your hearth for an honest man and his-" he paused, looking back at his parents before turning back to the couple, "-elderly parents?
"Of course," Stephen assured him, eliciting an excited 'oh' from the two swindlers. "Come on in."
"I'll heat up some broth," Donna offered.
"Oh, we love broth," Myrna commented.
"Oh, what a beautiful home!" Martin commented as they entered the house..
"Your cobbles are so even!"
...
Inside the house, the five of them sat down as Donna served the broth.
"Thank you for your kindness," Jiminy replied as he took his bowl.
"I just can't get it out of my mind," Myrna let out. "that family."
"Terrible way to go," Martin agreed.
"What?" Donna asked as she sat down. "What happened?"
Martin and Myrna glanced at each other before looking back at the couple.
"Plague," they said in unison.
Donna gasped as she turned to Stephen.
"The next town over," Myrna explained. "we just passed through."
"The plague?!" Donna exclaimed.
"Well, a plague, certainly," Myrna clarified.
"Is it coming here?" Stephen asked. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, us, no, we are immune," Martin insisted.
"We have the elf tonic," Myrna announced.
"Made by elves, from elves."
"Four out of five court physicians recommend it."
"Fifth one died before he could try it."
Both swindlers laughed as Jiminy just rolled his eyes out of sight.
"Well, you have it, right?" Myrna asked. "Smart folks like you."
"We've never heard of it," Donna admitted.
"Oh no."
"Oh dear gods," Martin gasped.
"Oh no, you're going to die," Jiminy whispered half-heartedly. "You need elf tonic."
"Oh, I wish we had extra," Martin went on.
"We don't have extra," Myrna reminded him.
"There is no extra," Jiminy whispered again with even less enthusiasm.
"We could pay you," Donna insisted.
"We have a tiny bottle," Martin suddenly announced.
"But we need that for ourselves," Myrna insisted.
"What can we give you?" Stephen questioned.
"Surely there must be something here you would want," Donna pleaded.
Myrna and Martin looked around, smirking as the former spoke up.
"I'm sure we can come up with something."
…
Later, the two con artists were loading up a bag full of money and various oddities from the house.
"Well," Myrna commented as Martin gathered up the bag. "Guess we'd better load up."
Martin nodded as the two exited the house. Jiminy held back to give the young couple the "elf tonic".
"Here you go," Jiminy told them.
"Thank you," Stephanie and Donna replied as Jiminy exited the house.
Once they were outside, Myrna and Martin began loading up the wagon as Jiminy walked up to them.
"Hey, those are good people," Jiminy chastised. "They would never hurt us like that."
"That's where they went wrong," Myrna remarked.
"It's better to be the kind of people that take," Martin added.
"Instead of those that get taken from."
At that moment, Jiminy decided that he had enough. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle.
"I'm sorry," he told them. "You've given me no other choice."
He threw the potion at the two of them, but to his surprise, nothing seemed to happen.
"How frail do you think we are, son?" Myrna asked.
"Rainwater won't hurt us," Martin told him.
Jiminy blinked in shock, looking at his parents, then down at the bottle.
"H-how-?"
"I'm pretty good at a sleight of hand, Jiminy," Martin explained.
"You switched them?" Jiminy realized, looking back at the house."So this is the elf tonic..."
"Oh my!" Martin exclaimed dramatically. "We must have given whatever you had to that family.
"Oh, hope it wasn't dangerous," Myrna remarked with faux sincerity.
Jiminy runs back into the house, praying he would be in time. As he got there, he found the bottle of poison on the ground, completely empty. He picked it up, then spotted two horrifying looking puppet dolls sitting on the bed. They looked exactly like Stephen and Donna, their painted faces showing pure horror and fear. Jiminy was horrified, falling onto a chair as his parents came in after him.
"Ohh, look at that," Martin noted.
"New puppets for the act," Myrna commented.
Just then, the boy who had given Jiminy his umbrella earlier that day entered the house. He looked upon the strangers, confused.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Upon seeing him Jiminy's horror grew tenfold, especially when they boy say the two puppets and gasped, dropping the basket of goods he was holding.
"Papa! Mama!" He rushed over to the bed, reaching out for the puppets before turning to Jiminy angrily. "What did you do to them? What did you do to them?"
Down in the mines, Eve and Archie continued chasing after Henry, while simultaneously trying not to get crushed by rubble.
"Henry!" the two called out as they rounded a corner.
They caught sight of him flashing his light on the ground, seeing something in a crack.
"There's something shiny down there!"
"Henry, get away from there!" Eve all but screamed. "If you fall through, we won't be able to get you out!"
"But it could be something!"
"Henry, please!" Archie pleaded. "We're scared for you!"
"Because you think I'm crazy, right?"
"No, not because I think you're crazy. I don't think you're crazy. I'm scared because we're in an abandoned mine and there's no way out!"
Henry went silent, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
…
Outside, basically all of Storybrooke was gathered around the mine. Ruby watched over Pongo while Regina coordinated with Sheriff Graham and other concerned citizens to try and clear the entrance. Among them were Mr. Gold and Marco.
"Archie is smart," Marco insisted. "He will keep the boy safe."
"Miss Flemming is of a similar caliber, if not more so," Mr. Gold added, much to Regina's surprise. "I have faith that all three will be alright in the end."
"Well I'm sorry, but I'm going to need more than faith to make sure my son is-"
Before Regina could finish, the ground started shaking again, causing everyone to halt their actions.
"Stop! Stop!" Regina called out, moving towards the tunnel and Emma. "you're only making it worse!"
"I am trying to save lives, Madame Mayor!" Emma snapped. "Lives that are only in danger because you tried to kill Henry's imagination! You pushed him to go down there!."
"I only pushed because you had been encouraging his delusions!" Regina snapped, looking on the verge of tears.
"Oh you are not putting this on me!" Emma snapped right back.
"Ladies," Mr. Gold spoke up, getting their attention. "As riveting as this conversation is, I do believe lives are at stake here."
…
Down in the mines, the three of them were looking around, desperately hoping to find a way out. Hope seemed lost before a familiar barking rang out though the tunnels.
"Hey, did you guys hear that?" Archie asked.
Henry and Eve stopped moving for a second, listening for the barking.
"Hang on, isn't that..." Eve began.
"Pongo!" Henry cheered.
"If we can hear him, then we must be close to an exit!" Eve realized.
"Follow that barking!" Archie declared.
…
"Gold's right," Emma conceded after a moment. "All this arguing won't accomplish anything."
"No, it won't," Regina relented, just barely remaining composed.
"What do you want me to do?"
"... help me."
…
Back down below, the three had managed to make there way to where the barking was loudest. To their luck, they found themselves looking up at a metal plate along the cave wall. Archie quickly moved it aside, seeing an old elevator inside.
"It's an elevator," Eve realized, shining her lantern inside to get a closer look. "I think it's still functional, and it should take us right to the surface.."
…
"We need to find a way to… punch through the ground," Regina elaborated. "We need something big."
"Like what?" Emma asked.
"Explosives," Marco offered.
Emma turned towards Regina, who seemed to be on board with the idea.
…
Down below, Eve and Archie stepped inside the elevator, checking to make sure it was viable.
"Do you know how to work this thing?" Henry asked.
"I do, yes," Eve replied, ushering him in. "Dr. Hopper, please get the door."
Archie nodded as he closed the elevator door. Eve started working the wheel. It was a slow, jerky journey, but they were making their way up.
…
Topside, everyone braced themselves as the explosives got put into place.
"Alright, we're all clear," Emma declared.
"Blow it," Regina ordered.
People crouched behind cars and outcropping, Pongo safely loaded into a nearby fire truck. One of the construction workers then detonated the explosives, shaking everything.
…
Inside the elevator, the explosion caused everything to lurch. The elevator dropped, both adults quickly grabbing Henry and shielding him as best they could.
…
As the smoke cleared, everyone picked themselves up as Emma all but tore through the caution tape towards the entrance to the mine. Regina watched with baited breath as she disappeared into the smoke. After a second, she came back out, her face grim.
"Did it work?" Regina questioned.
Emma shook her head.
"No, it's still sealed shut."
"Then what did it do?"
…
Back at the hospital, Mary Margaret was collecting a few things before preparing to head off for the day.
"Have a good day," she wished to one of the staff members before heading off.
"Hey," David called out, getting her attention as he approached. "Where are you off to?"
"Home," she replied, smiling a bit forcefully. "I'm done for the day"
"Ah," David replied.
"Yeah… shouldn't you be resting?"
"Actually, Dr. Whale wants me to start physical therapy, which is basically me walking laps around the halls for an hour. However, with an escort, I can venture outside. Care to… join me?"
Her smile became less forced and more genuine.
"Uh… sure."
…
As the two walked outside, questions about David's condition started to come up.
"Just wish I could remember this place," David commented. "Feels like I woke up in some strange land."
"Isn't anything coming back?" Mary Margaret asked.
David shook his head.
"What about when you're with… with her? You remembered your dog."
"No I didn't. I lied… I just… didn't want to disappoint her. But none of it feels right. A dog named Ajax? Who would name their dog that?"
Mary Margaret chuckled a little in response.
"None of it makes sense," David went on. "None of it… except you."
Mary Margaret froze up for a moment before turning to David.
"What?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but you're the only thing in this whole place that feels… that feels right."
For a brief moment, the two moved closer, and almost looked as if they were about to kiss. Before it could go anywhere though, David looked up, spotting his wife in the distance.
"Kathryn," he called out, causing Mary Margaret to freeze.
"Right," Mary Margaret replied, lowering her head.
"Kathryn," David repeated, moving past Mary Margaret as his wife approached. "You're here."
"I know it's outside of visiting hours," She admitted. "But… I needed to see you."
She then held out a basket she had in her hands.
"I made you some cranberry muffins. They used to be your favorite."
"I should…" Mary Margaret let out. "I should leave you two."
Mary Margare started to leave, prompting David to quickly try and go after her. When she turned back to face him, that forcefulness was back in her smile.
"You should go be with your wife," she insisted.
With that, she walked off.
…
"What was that?" Regina demanded. "What the hell was that?! You said you could do this!"
"Madame Mayor-" Emma tried to call off.
"They could have killed my son!" Regina snapped.
"I know. But this isn't helping."
"If we knew exactly where they were, we could drill down to them," Marco suggested.
As they talked, Emma could hear Pongo's barking, as could Mr. Gold.
"Pongo seems a bit restless," Gold noted. "Perhaps he's eager to reunite with his owner."
Emma perked up at that, then bolted towards the fire truck holding the dalmatian. She opened the door and allowed Pongo to run to a patch of dirt nearby. He started sniffing the ground, only for him to stop at a certain spot.
"Guys!" Emma called out, getting their attention. "I think Pongo found them! Over here!"
Graham and Marco quickly came over, helping to clear away some of the dirt. Once enough was cleared away, they found a metal sheet on the ground. They removed it, revealing a metal grate covering a tunnel that went straight down.
"It's an air duct," Marco realized. "So miners could get fresh air."
"That's how we get down to them," Graham declared.
…
Back down in the elevator, Henry looked up into the shaft as Eve took a look at a cut Archie sustained to his forehead.
"It's not bad, just a small graze."
Archie winces a little in pain as she gently cleaned it with the corner of her poncho, noting a sizable gash on her arm.
"You're not looking too good yourself," he pointed out.
Eve blinked, then glanced at her arm.
"Oh… I didn't even know I got that. Looks like I'll need to make a trip to Dr. Whale when we get out of this. How about you, Henry? Are you injured?"
Henry shook his head, loooking down miserably.
"No… I'm sorry for causing all this… I just wanted to find proof."
"It's alright, Henry," Archie reassured. "If anything, I feel it's my fault for saying what I said.
I don't think you're crazy. I just- I just think you have a very... a very strong mother, who's got a clear idea of a path that she wants you to be on. When you step off that, she...she gets scared. You know, it's natural. But, it's also natural for you to be able to be free, to think the things that you want to think."
Eve smiled at Archie's speech, Henry smiling a bit at them as well.
"So, anyway," Archie went on. "I didn't mean those things I said to you, and I never should have said them."
"Alright... why did you?" Henry wondered.
"I guess I'm still not a very good person. I'm not the man I wanna be."
"Maybe not yet," Eve told him. "But you will be."
Just then, the elevator began to shake violently, causing them to look up in fear and worry.
…
Up topside, Marco attached the hook of a pick up truck to the grate.
"Alright Franklin," Emma told the tow truck driver. "Gun it."
The crank pulled on the grate until it popped free, prompting Emma to detach the grate from the hook as everyone looked down the deep shaft.
"So," Regina questioned. "What now?"
...…
"I think you can be him," Henry told him. "I think you can be a good person. I mean, you're Jiminy Cricket."
"You really think so?" Archie asked. "But… he was a cricket."
"If we're going by Henry's storybook, not always," Eve spoke up. "At first he was a man, one who took a very long time to figure out the right thing to do. He made many mistakes, costly ones, and regretted his actions almost immediately after."
"Heh…" Archie let out. "That kinda does sound like me.
"Now it's harder for you," Henry added, "because of the curse, to hear for the voice inside of you, to be who you wanna be."
The elevator shook again, dropping a little and making the three inside hug the walls in terror.
...
"We need to lower someone straight down, or the line would collapse with the sides of the shaft," Marco insisted.
"I've got the harness," Graham announced, holding up a large mess of straps.
"Lower me down," Regina insisted.
"Oh, no way," Emma cut off. "I'm going."
"He's my son," Regina argued.
After a beat, Emma replied with, "He's my son too."
Gold smirked slightly at that as Regina just stared.
"Besides," Emma added, "you've been sitting behind your desk for ten years. I can do this."
"Just…" Regina hesisted, her voice shaky, "bring him back to me."
...
"Hey, can I ask you again?" Archie wondered.
"Ask what?" Henry replied, fishing out some of his candy bars and passing them to the two adults.
"Why do you think it's so important that your, your fairytale theory is true?"
"I don't know."
"Give it a shot."
"'Cause... this can't be all there is. I thought if I found proof, more people would believe me, that more people would remember... But I didn't find anything."
"I wouldn't say that's true," Eve countered. "After all, you found us when we were lost."
"Yeah," Archie agreed. "And… and you help me believe in myself. You helped me remember that I'm a person I wanna be. I just gotta listen harder."
Just then, the trio heard some noises erupting from right above them. Gravel began to fall more rapidly, and a light started shining down on them.
"What's that?" Henry asked.
Eve grinned.
"A rescue."
Emma appeared right above them, looking down with a relief smile when she saw all three right under her feet.
"You guys okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, we're all okay," Archie promised.
"Hang on, Henry," Emma told her son before talking into a walkie-talkie. "Okay, let's get a stop."
Emma removed a section of the roof of the elevator as both Archie and Eve grabbed Henry. Together, they hoisted him through the hole, where Emma was able to get him and pull him into her arm.
"Alright, I got him!"
"Get him to safe-" Archie started to tell her.
Before he could finish, the elevator started to shake again. This time, it was clear the rickety structure was about to fall.
"Archie! Eve!" Emma called out in terror.
"It's gonna fall!" Archie called out.
"I'm sorry!"
"It's okay," Eve told her.
Suddenly, the elevator dropped, causing both Emma and Henry to cry out. It fell to the bottom of the shaft with a loud, metallic crunch. However, neither Archie, nor Eve had fallen. Somehow, Archie had managed to hook his umbrella onto a carabiner on Emma's harness. He was hanging from the umbrella, with Eve hugging his legs tightly.
"Told you it was okay," Eve let out, panting slightly.
At the sight of the pair, Emma laughed with relief as Henry gave the pair a thumbs up.
…
Outside the air shaft, the crowd all clapped their hands as Marco and other workers pulled Emma, Henry, Eve and Archie out of the shaft.. Regina immediately hugged and pulled Henry away while Graham stopped Emma from following. Archie and Marco hug each other with joy while Mr. Gold walked over to Eve.
"Always finding new ways to get into trouble, I see," he noted.
"Actually, trouble tends to find me," she corrected, rotating her arms before glancing at her gash. "Better get this looked at."
As she went over to a waiting EMT, Emma managed to get past Graham, going to check on Henry.
"Are you okay, Henry?" She asked.
Regina quickly shoved Emma away, her grip tightening on Henry's arm in a clearly possessive manner.
"Deputy, you can clear the crowd away," she commanded.
Emma was left stunned as Regina ushered Henry off towards the EMTs. By now, Archie had joined Eve, both getting their respective injuries cleaned and tended to. As this went on, Regina was flush with relief as she approached them.
"Thank you, both of you."
"Anything for Henry," Eve told her. "He's a very special boy."
"Speaking of Henry," Archie spoke up. "I, uh, I have something to say."
Seeing his serious expression, Eve got up and moved over a bit so they could talk in some semblance of privacy. Once is was just him and Regina, Archie began his bold declaration.
"I'm gonna continue to treat Henry, and I'm gonna do it my way."
Regina's face fell at that.
"My relief at his safety hasn't changed a thing, Dr. Hopper. You will do as I say, or-"
"Or what?" Archie cut off. "You'll ruin my life? You'll do your worst? Because I will always do my best."
"Don't test me," Regina threatened.
"Oh, I don't need to, because you're gonna leave me alone and let me do my work, in peace."
"Really?" Regina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"Because someday, Madame Mayor, you may find yourself in a custody battle. And you know how a court determines who's a fit parent? They consult an expert, particularly one who has treated the child. So, I suggest that you think about that and you'll allow me to do my work and let me do it the way my conscience tells me to."
With that, Archie turned his attention back to the EMT so they could do their work. Eve was grinning off to the side as Regina was left standing in stunned silence.
Jiminy stood outside the cottage, listening to crickets alone. He let out a long, mournful sigh as he felt a hand touch his back.
"Rumplestiltskin gained two new puppets for his trophy room, ones that I am almost certain are not your parents," Nicolette spoke up.
Jiminy turned to her, sniffing and wiping his eyes.
"Can… Can you-?"
Nicolette shook her head.
"I'm afraid I cannot. The deal is struck, and not even I have the power to break a deal with the Dark One. Whomever they were, they are gone now."
"This is all my fault… I have to make this right somehow. No matter what it takes. I just wish… I wish..."
As he said this, a blue light began twinkling in the night sky. The Alchemist glanced up, a small smile on her face.
"Well, it seems someone else has heard your wish."
Jiminy looked up to see the blue light slowly lowering from the night sky, growing a bit larger until the Blue Fairy was flying before him.
"I do hear your wish, Jiminy," she told him. "You wish to make amends to the boy, give him back what you took."
"Yes, more than anything," Jiminy replied.
"So, they were parents… to a little boy…" Nicolette's face fell and her eyes became distant. "The loss of a parent, especially both, can be quite a burden to bear. He will grow up to face many challenges. Are you sure you want to help him?"
"Yes, but…" Jiminy looked back at the wagon, where he knew his parents were asleep and most likely drunk. "I can't get away from these people, my parents, they're who I am.
"But if you didn't want to be that," the Blue Fairy inquired. "what would you like to be?"
Jiminy paused, looking around before hearing the sounds of the crickets. A small smile graced his face.
"A cricket," he declared. "I would like to be a cricket."
"Should I do it?" Nicolette asked, "or would you care to, Blue?"
"Both of us. I have my own enchantment to add."
Nicolette nodded, blowing some golden sparkles onto Jiminy as Blue waved her wand. The two magics mixed together, surrounding Jiminy and transforming him into a cricket. He was dressed in a waistcoat, and had a small tophat on his head.
"How do you feel?" Nicolette asked.
Jiminy gave a chirp, causing both Nicolette and Blue to laugh. The former gave Jiminy a small tap on the chest and a tiny medallion appeared on his coat.
"This will let you speak as if you were still a man"
"Thank you," Jiminy replied. "And I feel… free."
"Now you can find the boy," the Blue Fairy told him. "You will live as many years as you need to help him. Just find him."
"How will I?" Jiminy wondered. "I don't even know his name."
"His name is Geppetto," Blue replied.
"Now go," Nicolette insisted, giving him a small push. "And never forget, listen to your heart, and your conscience. They will never lead you astray."
Jiminy nodded, then tipped his hat before flying off to find Geppetto.
Later that night, Emma finally got a chance to talk with Henry as Archie and Marco chatted with each other happily.
"So how do those two know each other?" Emma asked. "Is Marco Archie's father or something?"
"No, they're just old friends," Henry replied.
Emma watched the pair for a moment, then reached out and took Henry's hand in her own.
"You really scared me, you know."
"I'm sorry."
"Well," Eve spoke up, approaching the group. "The last of the debris has settled, Dr. Hopper and I have both been cleared, and frankly I'm quite ready for a hot bath and a soft bed."
"Agreed," Emma declared, getting to her feet. "Come on, kid, your mom wants to take you home."
As they got up, a familiar, welcoming sound reached everyone's ears.
"Hey!" Henry cheered before turning to Archie. "Listen!"
Everyone did, the sound unmistakable.
"Crickets…" Archie let out with a smile.
"They're back…" Eve mused.
"See Emma?" Henry said, grinning as his birth mom. "Things are changing."
…
At Mr. Gold's pawnshop, Mr. Gold was locking up, passing by a pair of puppets on the desk.
…
At the hospital, Mary Margaret handed in her volunteer ID, along with her letter of resignation.
...
Outside the mine, the workers and the crowds chatted and drank to celebrate. While they did, Archie caught up to Eve as they prepared to head home.
"Hey Eve," Archie spoke up as they walked off. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what?"
"What do you think of Henry's fairytale theory? I mean, do you believe it?"
Eve paused, considering her answer.
"I believe that he sees in others what they can't. As a child, his closest comparison is the characters in his book. He finds parallels in the characters, finding traits and hidden parts of us we have… forgotten."
"I see…"
"Just out of curiosity, why do you ask? Do you believe in his theory?"
"No, but… I think there's a part of me that wants to."
As they talked, Regina walked over to the now empty shaft. After carefully looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was looking, she took out the piece of glass she picked up earlier that day. She turned it over in her hand a couple of times, then threw it down the shaft. The piece of glass fell all the way to the bottom of the mine, joining the shattered remains of a large, glass coffin.