Storybrooke
Twelve days prior to Final Eclipse
Once the dust from the twister settled Emma, Snow, Aurora, Phillip and Mulan found themselves in field.
"We're home!" Snow sobbed and threw her arms around her daughter. "We're finally home!"
"Mom!"
"Henry!" Emma ran to her son and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly while her mother lost herself in the arms of her husband. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too."
"I missed you so much."
She watched Regina approach out of the corner of her eye.
"She did it. She stopped Cora from coming here," Henry announced.
"Um, your mom - she's... She's a piece of work, you know?"
"Indeed, I do. Welcome back Miss Swan."
"Thanks."
"You did it. You came back to me," Charming murmured, kissing his wife passionately.
"Did you ever doubt I would?"
"No, but that portal gave me pause. It looked more like a twister." He kissed her again.
"We need to talk," Emma said when she approached Rumple and Belle. "I understand why you wanted to keep Cora out of here."
"Just remind me never to bet against you in the future, Miss Swan."
"It's not really a bet when the game is rigged, is it?"
"To what exactly are you referring?"
"The walls in your cell. You wrote my name all over them."
"I just wanted to make sure it would stick."
"The ink was there all the time. You could have gotten out."
"I was exactly where I wanted to be. You needed to find that, so all of this could occur."
"You created the curse, Gold. You made me the Savior. So everything I've ever done, it's exactly what you wanted me to do."
"I created the curse, dearie, but I didn't make you. I merely took advantage of what you are, the product of true love. That's why you're powerful. And everything you've done, you've done yourself."
"So, you don't know."
"Know what?"
"Cora tried to rip my heart out, but she couldn't. She was blasted back with something inside me. By... By..."
"By magic. Whatever that was, I didn't do that. You did. And now it's time for you to learn how to use it. Come by the shop tomorrow Miss Swan and your lessons will begin."
"But…I have a job I have to get back to…"
"Why not consider handing the Sheriff's office over to those with more experience?" He glanced over to where Archie's brother stood with his friends. "Those people over there are from our world but they're also experienced officers with the San Francisco police department. Oh, don't get me wrong Miss Swan. You're good at your job but you still owe me a favor and I am ready to collect it. You will learn magic and help me find my son."
"I guess I can't refuse, can I?"
"I wouldn't advise it dearie. You have the potential to become one of the most powerful mages in all the realms…and you can be. With the proper guidance. My shop. Nine o'clock sharp. I do not tolerate lateness."
"Guess I'll see you then."
"You're preparing her aren't you," Belle said when Emma walked away.
"If Regina cannot earn the right to be the Heart of the East, I am going to make damned certain Emma does." Rumple glanced over at where Regina stood with Henry. "Cora will be on her way here. We may have destroyed the portal in the wishing well, but it is the will of the OZ that she comes here to test Regina's resolve. She passed her first test by helping me destroy that portal but there are far more difficult tests coming and the chess pieces are moving into the proper order on the board to do so."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Pack our things. Cora will be bringing me the globe I need to help me locate Bae." They vanished in a puff of smoke.
"I was right. You really have changed." Henry hugged Regina. "Thank you."
"I'm trying my best honey."
"Emma, Henry, come on," Snow called out.
"You…you should go with them Henry. I'll see you soon."
"Well, it looks like we have some catching up to do." Charming hugged Emma.
"You have no idea."
"How about dinner at Granny's? On me?"
"As long as it's not chimera, I'm in. Hey, kid, you hungry?"
"Yeah. I'll see you later, Mom." he said to Regina.
Regina watched them go, her heart sinking. Now that Emma was back she knew having Henry all to herself now would be impossible.
"Well, my dear Cora, this is where we should part ways. Thank you for... everything. It's time for me to skin my crocodile."
Hook started to walk away but Cora teleported into his path.
"You might want to rethink this."
"We had a deal. Get out of my way."
"Believe it or not, I'm doing you a favor."
"By preventing my vengeance?"
"Ask yourself how I'm doing that."
"By using your Dark Magic."
"Magic is here, and that makes matters a bit more complicated. If you go off half-cocked after an empowered Rumplestiltskin, do you know what'll happen? So, you do. Good," she said when he winced.
"Bloody hell!"
"Hey. You folks need anything? Tackle shop don't open until morning, but if you want to go out and try and snare some of New England's finest pescetarian creatures, I'd be happy to open early for ya," a fisherman inquired when he came toward them.
"No, thank you. We're fine."
"It's a fine vessel you got there. When'd you get in?"
"What vessel?"
"Why, that one right... "
The ship suddenly vanished.
"Hey, that's a neat trick. You some kind of magician back in our land?"
The fisherman flapped on the dock now in the form of those he used to catch. Hook kicked it into the water.
"What did you do with my ship?"
"I hid it from prying eyes. For what we both want to do, we need the element of surprise. Now you ready to listen to me?"
"Go on, Your Majesty. What now?"
"Let's go have a little look at this Storybrooke. Shall we?" She linked her arm through his and they strolled down the dock under a cloaking spell.
Back at the loft Charming and Snow were making the most of their free time together in their bed.
"What are you thinking?" Charming asked as he kissed her.
"Oh, that it's good to be back." She nestled in his arms.
"Yeah. And what are you really thinking?"
"Twenty-eight years is too long to wait between..."
"Hey, guess what. Taco shells were on sale. Oh crap! Come on! Not you guys too. First Archie…" Henry exclaimed when he walked in while his grandparents attempted to cover themselves.
"Apparently, tacos are not a big item in the Enchanted...oh my God!" Emma exclaimed, dropping the bag of groceries she was holding.
"What are you guys still doing in bed? It's the middle of the afternoon," Henry pointed out. Emma frowned at her parents, wondering how they were going to explain away this one while she wanted a bottle of bleach for her eyes and Henry's. Seeing her parents in bed doing…that…had been the last thing she expected to walk into!
"The trip back was tiring, and I needed to rest," Snow lied.
"And I needed to... help her... rest." Charming added.
"Uh, let's-let's go make the tacos. We have to make a lot because there's gonna be a ton of people at Granny's welcome back party tonight. Go on Henry."
"We thought you were gonna be back later," Snow whispered.
"Yeah, well, we weren't, so maybe next time you could put a tie on the door or send a text or... You know what? I'm...I'm gonna go make some tacos." She shook her head and walked away, certain she wouldn't get that sight out of her mind for very long time.
"It's impressive that we can still provide her with a few traumatic childhood memories at this stage of the game," Charming joked and Snow started laughing. "Come on."
"And we need to get a new place….one with more doors…and locks!"
Emma and Henry were covering their eyes when the couple walked into the kitchen.
"You can put your hands down now. We're decent."
Thank God," Emma muttered.
Rumple held a seeing globe in one hand, observing while Hook and Cora explored the town through a second cloaking spell while another kept the Jolly Roger invisible from prying eyes while another moved a chess piece into position on the board he kept set up in the backroom of his workshop. Belle stood at the worktable practicing some spells from her copy of Cora's book. She waved her hand over the dying rose she'd plucked from their gardens and it began to bloom again then conjured a glass dome to place it in. Rumple smiled softly.
"The enchanted rose. What do you intend to do with that, sweetheart?"
"I thought it was time we had one. We have the chipped cup, the magic mirror but not the rose. They're here aren't they? Cora and Hook."
"Yes, and soon she'll come to me and offer me a deal. The tracking globe in exchange for Regina. But first, we have to take care of her pirate companion."
"Leave that to us."
Archie and Az's sudden appearance startled Belle while she was performing another spell and she blasted Rumple accidently, throwing him to the floor.
"Archie! Warn us before you drop in like that," Rumple snapped as he got to his feet. Archie and Az took one look at him and burst into laughter. "Now what's so funny dearies?"
"Rumple, you ahhh…might want to look in a mirror." Az giggled.
"Rumple, oh God I'm so sorry!" Belle moaned.
Rumple walked over to the mirror, horrified at the sight that met his eyes. His hair was now purple and sticking up in spikes, he had a nose ring, black lipstick on his lips and a spiked collar around his neck. His Armani suit had been transformed into a Sex Pistols t-shirt with black leather pants and steel toed boots.
"The Sex Pistols, dearie? Really?" Rumple demanded of his wife and changed back.
"Well you were listening to Anarchy In the UK this morning," she defended. "And I was going to try the transformation spell on myself until they startled me. So what brings you here?"
"Something we found on the docks while we were taking Pongo and Perdy for a walk. The Jolly Roger. It's here under a cloaking spell," Archie said. "Anarchy In The UK?" He made a face. "I'll take the White Album by the Beatles over that but…yes, the Jolly Roger is at the harbor under a cloaking spell."
"Of course, it is. Now, how are you proposing to take care of our mutual pirate and witch problem?"
"Have a seat. This is going to take a while."
Later that night new and old residents of the town gathered at Granny's Diner for a grand celebration of Snow and Emma's return. Emma was nervous about meeting the officers of the San Francisco police department knowing that any one of them was more qualified to be in her position and her father's.
"I can't believe it…Archie a twin. Where is he by the way?" she asked David.
"Ummm…he's making a cake and said he's gonna be a little late."
Cora and Hook stepped out from behind a corner watching a clean shaven and nicely dressed Archie walking toward the diner with a cake pan in his hands.
"Commander Ozopov! Bloody hell!" he cursed.
Cora withdrew the vial of squid ink from her satchel and threw it on Archie who promptly froze.
"I'll take that!" Cora snatched the cake out of his frozen hands and transformed into him. "Take him back to the ship," she instructed Hook. "The cuff will block his magic but with just the right motivation he'll chirp and tell us Rumplestiltskin's weakness."
"You'll never get away with this!"
"Oh, but I think we will. Come along mate," Hook taunted. Cora gestured, and they vanished in a puff of smoke unaware of the crickets pursuing them. Hook dragged his captive down to the storage hold and locked him in, securing one of Cora's magic dampening cuffs around his wrist before the ink wore off, unaware that it was merely the construct he'd captured.
They bought it! Archie chirped to Rumple.
Of course, they did, Rumple chirped back. That pirate can't tell his arse from a hole in the ground and Cora is a novice compared to me, but your brother had best be careful. Cora would not hesitate to kill him too if he lets on she's a fake.
He'll be careful. Now let's go find out what she's up to.
The pair flew back to the diner and took their positions on one of the window ledges while Cora circulated among the guests as Archie. Finally, she approached his brother and wife.
"How is Emma taking you being here?" she asked David.
"Ah, she seems okay with it. Where's Az? I thought she'd come tonight."
"Oh…ahhh…resting," Cora lied quickly. "Why don't you come and have a piece of cake. You won't be sorry."
"David, what's wrong with Archie? He looks different and he's acting strange," Beth whispered in her husband's ear.
"Because that's not him. It's a fake…and not one he made," he whispered back and snapped his fingers at his friends. They quickly excused themselves and made their way to the men's room. Archie and Rumple flew off the ledge and followed them in. Terry was checking the stalls while Jim blocked the door with his body. It was a running joke at their old station they had a habit of bursting in on each other in there to talk about cases or personal issues.
"What's going on Molk?" he asked.
"That's not Archie out there and it's not a construct he made either so look sharp. There might be trouble."
"Indeed, there will be dearies but not yet," Rumple said as he took human form, Archie following suit.
"Cora is here with Captain Hook," Archie informed him. "She's the one glamoured to look like me. I don't know what she's up to, but you cannot let on that you know she's a fake. Hook has my construct down at the docks and I think I know why. I have information on everyone in the town and they're going to try to get it out of him."
"So, let's go get him!" Edgar exclaimed.
"Not yet. We're setting a trap for Cora and Hook and right now and he's one of the pieces of bait we're gonna use to lure them in. Now dearies, put on your best smiles and go out there like nothing's amiss but keep your eyes and ears open."
"It's okay. We got this," David assured him.
"….Tacos. I cannot tell you the relief of cooking something that I didn't have to kill first," Emma was saying when they reentered the dining room.
"Don't I know it. Meatloaf back home? What a bitch." Granny grouched.
Charming tapped his glass for attention. "I just wanted to, uh, thank you all for joining us tonight. Mary Margaret and I, we have a saying, that we will always find each other, and while I believe that with all my heart, I'd like you all to raise your glasses and join me when I say, here's to not having to look for a while. To Mary Margaret and Emma." He raised his glass just as the door opened and Regina walked in with a pan in her hands.
"Sorry I'm late."
"What is she doing here?" Leroy grabbed a knife.
"I invited her. We're celebrating today, because of Regina too. She helped us get home and deserves to be here. No matter what she did in the past, we owe her our thanks now." Emma informed her parents.
"Didn't you think to tell us about it?"
"I did, but you two were a little busy this afternoon, David."
"Emma! She tried to kill us!"
"No, she didn't, Mary Margaret. Not recently. She's trying to change for Henry. He believes in her, and right now that's enough for me. I couldn't have changed if I wasn't given a chance, so... she gets one, too."
"I'm glad you came, Mom." Henry said with a smile.
"Me, too. Oh, I made lasagna."
"What's the secret ingredient? Poison?" Leroy inquired smartly.
"Red pepper flakes. Gives it some kick."
She could feel all eyes on her and immediately regretted accepting Emma's invitation, even if it was for Henry's sake. They would all still see her as the Evil Queen no matter what she did. She picked up the pan and walked out.
"Mom!" Henry cried.
"Stay here kid. I got this!" Emma said and hurried after her.
"Archie made a cake. You don't want to stay for a piece?" she asked her as she was about to get in her Mercedes.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"Okay."
"Thank you."
"You just said that."
"F..For inviting me."
"Henry wanted it. I'm glad you guys got to spend some time together."
"Me, too. I'd like to see him more. Maybe you'd consider letting him stay over some time. I have his room just... just waiting for him."
"Ah. I'm...I'm not sure that's best."
"Because you know so much about parenting in the five minutes you've been with him. Talk to your father. At least he took care of him while you were away, like I did, during the ten years you were away the first time."
"Okay. Thanks for coming."
"No. Wait I'm sorry. I... Emma, I'm...I'm sorry. Snapping at you…I shouldn't have done that. Will you accept my apology?"
"Okay. You're right. Archie said you were trying to change, and, well, you are."
"Dr. Hopper said I was trying?"
"He said you came to see him, that you're trying not to use magic, that you're trying to be a better person. You understand, I was hesitant to invite you, but I did and when I asked him tonight at the party he thought it was a good idea."
"Thank you it was. I should be going."
She was going to kill that cricket.
"Well, is she broken?" Hook asked from the rooftop where they were spying on her from, Cora having given the excuse that Archie had early appointments to explain her hasty exit.
"Not yet. But she will be…and then she'll need me."
The next morning Regina sat in her Mercedes watching as Archie came out of his house with his dog on his leash, taking him for his morning walk around the town. When he reached the docks, she turned the car off and waited for him when he turned around to walk back into town.
"Beautiful day isn't it, Regina?"
"Why should I answer you, bug?"
"What the hell has gotten into you?" he demanded angrily. "I'm making friendly conversation."
"That you'll just repeat to anyone with an ear. You told Ms. Swan about our sessions," she accused.
"Now how would I have done that when she's been in the Enchanted Forest and I was in the OZ?"
"I came to you in confidence. How am I supposed to prove to people I've changed when you're there to chirp in their ears and remind them of my past or have your construct do it for you?"
"I would never betray the doctor-patient confidentiality."
"Doctor? Doctor? Need I remind you got your PhD from a curse? MY Curse."
"No, I got my education in the OZ. And need I remind you the curse was altered in my case."
"Hey. Is everything okay here?" Ruby asked when she jogged over to them, concerned for Archie's safety.
"Private conversation. Go take yourself for a walk." Regina snapped.
Ruby glanced over at Archie.
"I'm fine. Go on." A reluctant Ruby jogged away.
"I can be trusted. I assure you."
"You're lucky I've changed."
Archie gestured, and Regina was lifted off her feet. "Need I remind you of what I can do to you if you keep threatening me? I was not at that party last night in this form, but I was as a cricket." He dropped her. "Neither was my construct, but someone was and they were glamored to look like me."
"You know who it was," she said as she got her feet.
"Yes, I do."
"Who?"
"Your mother."
Regina paled. "She…she's here?"
"Regina, I want you to listen to me…dammit don't you turn away when I'm talking to you! Listen to me. You have to be strong now. You have to be stronger than you ever have before no matter what she tells you, no matter what she promises you."
"I want Henry back," she sobbed. "They won't let me see him. It doesn't matter how I good I am. I'll always be the Evil Queen."
"This is exactly what she wants. To see you broken so she can swoop in and get you to do what she wants you to do but you cannot let her win Regina."
"I just…want Henry back…"
"Then let me keep working with you," he pleaded. "It's not going to be an easy path but eventually everyone is going to see that you're not the Evil Queen anymore."
"Do people still see you as the Commander?"
"Yes," he sighed. "But I intend to change that." He glanced over to where the Jolly Roger was anchored. "Courtesy of an old enemy."
She shook her head. "It won't matter. They'll always see the darkness in you like they do in me."
"Let's discuss this somewhere more private." Archie flicked his wrist and they vanished in a puff of smoke.
Az was waiting for them at MacDonald's farm when they returned and threw up a cloaking spell. The former queen was surprised when the younger woman embraced her. "You won't fight this alone Regina. We'll be with you all the way because we know how hard it is for you. We've lived it."
"Regina, you have the chance to be so much more than the Evil Queen and we're going to make damned sure you are." Archie summoned his katana and handed another to her.
"I know how to sword fight Archie."
"How?"
"Graham. He taught me years ago."
"But you're a little rusty?"
"Yes."
"Brushing up on your sword skills isn't the only thing I'm going to teach you Regina. I'm going to teach you how to finally break that hold your mother has on you." He swung his sword at her. She raised her own to block it. "Psychological warfare is what your mother has been raging on you for years. Now you're going to learn how to fight it and win. Okay Dellia, let's begin!"
Later that evening Pongo lay in his bed sleeping and was suddenly awakened hearing the voice of the construct speaking to Regina.
"I know it's late, but I was hoping we can talk."
"Sure. Come on in. Hush, Pongo. You know ReginaI know how hard it is. Real change can often be...a struggle." He went over to his filing cabinet and opened it, pulling out Regina's folder.
Pongo began barking frantically. Evil! Evil!
"I couldn't agree more."
"Regina, is there something..." he began when he turned around. Regina lifted him in the air and began to strangle him then froze Pongo. Once the construct was dead she let the body fall to the floor and left the office.
"….Everyone will think that was me!" Regina whispered, handing the seeing globe back to Az while they sat in the living room at MacDonald's farm. "Henry will think that was me!"
"And that is exactly what she's counting on," Az said. "Bastinda killed my sister using my body but everyone believed it was me…everyone except Archie. I was sent to the Northern Island to fend for myself when I was only thirteen. My mother didn't care whether I lived or died but she cared enough about DG to resurrect her. Bastinda took full advantage of my exile and tried her damndest to gain complete control of me but she couldn't…as long as I had Archie. His love, his belief in me, was strong enough to subdue her for so many years."
"That's not the construct I made or my brother. My construct's still on the Jolly Roger and David is safe at home but she sent another construct to my office and killed it. Once the body's found, they're gonna be looking at you because of our argument at the docks. Ruby saw it and she's going to tell them," Archie added.
"Damn you Mother!" Regina cursed. "You're trying to turn them all against me, even Henry! I will not lose Henry!"
"You won't!"
"How?"
"With this." Az gestured, and a construct of Regina appeared in the room. "You will stay here with us under our protection. Your construct will act and speak for you since it has all your memories and you can switch places with it at any time but make sure you do it at the proper times."
"My mother will see right through her."
"No, she won't. She couldn't see through Archie's construct and she won't with this one." The construct vanished.
"Tomorrow's going to be a hard day," Archie advised.
Regina sighed. "I can't say I've had worse."
"I'm sorry but in case you get any wild ideas about going after your mother…" Archie held out his hand and blew on it.
"Ozian poppies!" she moaned and collapsed on the sofa.
Early the next morning Pongo raced out of the office and across the street to the diner where he found Henry and Emma having breakfast.
"Hey, Pongo. It's okay." Pongo continued barking and ran outside. Henry got up and followed him.
"Where's Archie? He'd never let Pongo wander around like this."
"Emma! Something's wrong," Ruby cried when she ran out of the diner and over to Pongo.
Archie. Come to the office. Quickly! He sent to her.
"How do you know? Never mind. The wolf thing. You know what? Eleven is old enough to walk to the bus stop. I'll pick you up later, Henry!"
"Okay."
The moment Emma and Ruby reached the office, Emma had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. The door was unlocked and slightly ajar.
"Archie? Archie? Oh, hell," she whispered when she kneeled down to examine him, his skin feeling cold to the touch.
"What? What is it?" Ruby asked.
Archie. He..he's gone."
"No. No!"
"Who would do this?"
"I think I know. Regina. She argued with Archie yesterday. I saw them. She killed him!" Ruby sobbed.
Emma took out her phone. "David…you'd better get over to Archie's office right away. Something's happened."
"What is it?" Charming asked.
"He's dead…" Emma croaked.
"Oh God…Emma…his brother's right outside. He has to be told before everyone else. I'm bringing him with me."
"No…"
"I have to."
"And I gotta tell his wife….oh my God! His wife! And I have no idea where she is!"
"Maybe…we'd better let Molk do it."
"Yeah…I'll…ahh…see you then."
Charming took a deep breath before he opened his office door and walked into the vending room where David was putting some change into the slot and punched a number.
"Uhh…Molk..?"
"Hey."
"Something's happened…with…with Archie."
"What's happened?"
"Pongo came over to the diner a little bit ago…he wasn't on his leash so Emma and Ruby followed him over to Archie's office and…"
"And what?"
"They…they found him….oh God…David I'm so sorry."
"No…no! My brother is NOT dead. I would know! I would feel it!"
David….stop! Don't say anything else and listen to me.
Archie?
It's a construct dead in my office but not one I created but when you go over there I need you to act like it's me. Understand?
What the hell's going on!?
A trap for Cora and Hook. And I'm part of the bait.
Oh boy! Does Az know?
Yes. Tell Beth and your crew but NO ONE ELSE and use mindspeak only! Be careful.
We will.
"Can you?" Charming was asking him.
"I wanna see him. I wanna see my brother," he said through tears. He was silent during the drive but only to Charming while his mind was carrying on multiple conversations with the people he trusted the most and when he arrived at the crime scene he played the part of the grieving brother perfectly.
"I….I gotta tell Az. It'd be better if she heard it from me. She…she's at my house with Beth and Jasper."
"Deputy Molk…David….I'm so sorry," Emma said softly.
"Just…just get that bitch!" he hissed.
"We will. We will," Emma assured him.
"I'll drive you home," Charming offered.
"And I'm bringing Regina in." Emma grabbed her phone. "Hello, Madam Mayor. I need you to come down to the station. Yes, now or I'll come down there and get you myself!" She hung up. "She's on her way. Acted surprised but she's on her way."
"I'll meet you there."
"Glad to see the sheriff's station's now a family business. Why am I here?" Regina's construct inquired with a smirk when they returned to the police station to find her sitting in the interview room. "Your newest deputies wouldn't tell me anything."
"You know why you're here. Because of Archie." Emma said coldly.
"Oh, it's now against the law to get into an argument with someone?"
"It is if you go to their office later that night and kill 'em," Charming pointed out. "We may not be experienced police officers, but we know a murder when we see it!"
"Archie's dead?"
"Stop it, Regina. Ruby saw you going into his office last night."
"Then she's lying. I was home all evening. After everything I've done to change, to win Henry back, why would I toss it all away now? And if I did, and I was going to kill Archie, you would never know it. The fact that he's dead and you "caught" me shows sloppiness."
"You've been caught before. Come on, Emma. Who do you think is lying Ruby or her? She's incapable of change, no matter how many times we've given her the chance. Why should this time be any different? We've got you…and there'll be no mercy for you this time! But we're not the ones who are going to kill you. Archie's wife will."
He spun on his heel and left the office, slamming the door behind him, finding the SFPD homicide inspectors waiting for him.
"Did she confess?" Jim asked.
"She's still denying it. I'm going to go search Archie's office, see what we can find."
"Let us go with you," Jim pleaded.
"I'm sorry…but we'd like to handle this ourselves."
"Afraid we can do a better job? Is that it?"
"Hildy!"
"No Terry, we know what we're looking for and can find it faster than they can. Molk's family. Archie's family"
"Enough!" Charming snapped. "This is the Evil Queen we're dealing with and Snow and I have more experience dealing with her than you. Right now, I want all of you to stay close to Molk and his family and if Regina comes anywhere near them you call me!"
He was not surprised when their search of the office turned up another damning piece of evidence, Regina's missing patient file yet despite all the evidence staring in her face, Emma continued to have her doubts, convinced that Rumple had committed another of his famous frame jobs.
"Oh, well, that looks delicious. Thank you very much, Belle," Rumple said to her when she arrived at the shop with their lunch. She was about to unpack it when Emma, David and Snow walked in.
"Ah. Nothing warms the heart more than a family reunited. You have your mother's chin, Ms. Swan."
"We know that you killed him."
"And your father's tact."
"Someone's dead?" Belle asked though she already knew the answer, but they were none the wiser.
"Dr. Hopper."
"Why on earth would you think I had anything to do with that?"
"Because all the evidence points to Regina."
"And she's not possibly capable of doing something so vile?"
"It's a frame job."
"It wouldn't be the first time you used someone to try to hurt her. You used me and Kathyrn to set her up the last time!" Snow reminded him.
"Nice to see your memory's still intact, dearie, but this time, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to disappoint you. It wasn't me."
"Why should we believe you?" Charming demanded.
"Because I can prove it. Ask the witness."
"No one was there."
"Well, that's not strictly true, now is it? Bring Pongo. He was the witness and he can tell us what really happened last night. Bring him."
"This is ridiculous!" Charming protested.
"David…come on. It's worth a try," Emma pleaded. "He's out in the car." Charming rolled his eyes and went outside to retrieve the still grieving Dalmatian from the car.
Do animals get Oscars? Pongo sent to Rumple who was fighting the urge not to laugh. Archie owes me a dozen of them for this show I'm putting on.
Well it's not the first one you've done now is it Pallux?
Call me that again and I'll shred your Armanis.
Would you like to be neutered?
Ha ha. Get on with it.
"Hey, boy. Good boy. Good boy. Good boy," he soothed and petted the dog's head.
Your breath smells like my ass.
Yours smells like the filthiest toilet in Scotland.
Wanna take a swim in it?
Sod off!
"I, uh, I didn't know you were such a dog person. We had a cat but…" Belle murmured.
"Well, a long time ago, in another life, I got to know a sheepdog or two."
"That's fascinating. But unless you speak dog, how is Pongo gonna tell us anything?" Emma inquired.
"Through magic, of course. It won't allow us to communicate, but it will allow us to... extract his memories."
"Extract?" Charming didn't like the sound of that one bit.
"You don't have to worry. He won't feel a thing."
"Why should we trust you? Couldn't you just as easily use magic to fool us?"
"Because I'm not gonna be the one using magic, Emma. You are though you missed your first lesson this morning. I expect you to keep your appointments after this little puzzle we have is solved."
"Me? How?"
"You have it within you. Told me so yourself. You witnessed it, didn't you?" he asked Snow as he took one of his dream catchers out of the cabinet.
"Emma, you don't have to do this."
"If it tells us something about Archie's death, so be it."
"Now... you know what this is?"
Emma felt her heart stop. " A dream catcher."
Neal….
"Well... it's capable of catching so much more." He brushed it over Pongo's back allowing the memories he had to be transferred to the dream catcher. It began to glow.
"What is that?" Belle inquired.
"Memories. Now Ms. Swan...you show us how."
I'll teach you this later sweetheart, he sent to Belle.
"How? It's just a jumble."
"Will it. Will it, and we shall all see."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can. Focus."
Emma gazed into the dreamcatcher and focused and suddenly an image formed of Archie's office the scene playing out exactly as Pongo saw it the night before. Now firmly convinced of Regina's guilt, Emma stormed out of the shop ready to put an end to her terror once and for all, not knowing Cora was observing everything glamored as a cat.
"You insult the species, dearie!" Rumple hissed and cast a stronger ward on the shop while he and Belle went to the backroom to enjoy their lunch.
"Miss Swan. I assume you're here to apologize." Regina said when they arrived at the mansion, swapping places with her construct in preparation for a magical attack while Archie and Az observed through their seeing globe.
"I saw you do it."
"What?"
"I saw it. You choked the life out of Archie."
"What are you talking about? How is that even possible?"
"Magic," Charming clarified.
"You..."
"I saw what happened, and it was you."
"Gold. He helped you. You're going to trust him, of all people, when he's probably the one behind this?"
"We didn't trust him. That's why Emma used magic instead."
"You can use magic... The Savior. Of course. Well, I can only assume he warned you then."
"About what?"
"That magic always comes with a price."
"Yeah? Well, that's a price we're both going to pay."
"How's that?"
"Henry. He believed in you. His heart's going to break. That's both our prices."
"No. I will not let you poison Henry against me!"
"It's an interesting word choice, since you already did."
"I want to see him. He deserves to hear my side of the story! He's my son!"
"He's not! He's mine! And, after this, you're not getting anywhere near him! Do it!"
Blue teleported in and threw an orb of fairy dust at her. Regina caught it in her hand, thinking how impressed Archie would be that his lesson had worked.
"Did you really think that would work again?" She threw the orb back at Snow and Charming. "So much for fairy dust. Maybe some of your newfound magic can save you now."
"I don't need it. I already won. There is no way Henry will swallow your lies about Archie now. You can pretend all you want, but we know how you are, and who you will always be."
Regina vanished in a puff of smoke. Archie and Az were waiting for her on the porch when she returned to the farm.
"Your construct's back in place?" Archie asked her.
"Yes. But Emma's right. We're both going to pay the price by breaking his heart."
"You underestimate him Regina. He's smarter than you think."
"I know he's a smart boy, but my mother's plan is working perfectly. She knows Henry is my weakness and she's going to exploit him as long as she can."
"No, she's not because tomorrow the gloves come off and we hit back with everything we've got."
Snow, Charming and Emma stood on the street waiting for Henry's bus to arrive.
"Henry's bus is going to be here any minute."
"You can do this," Snow encouraged.
"Tell my son that someone he loved was killed by someone else he cares about? I don't know if I can. Yeah, I don't think I can do any of this. This is like real parent stuff. How can I be a parent if I never was one?
"I know. I've been asking myself the same question," David lamented.
"Oh, no. You guys don't have to... It...It's different."
"No, it isn't. And yes, we have to. We can figure it out. So can you."
"You don't know me. You don't know what I was before Storybrooke. And trust me, I was not parent material."
"Yeah, but we know who you are since you've been here."
"What if I revert? Regina did."
"You're not going to. And the Emma I know was great with Henry."
"I was his parent for five minutes."
"And I was yours for five minutes, too, but things are different now, for all of us. We don't have to go through any of it alone. We're family."
Seconds later the bus pulled up.
"Emma. I told you I could walk myself." Henry said he got off the bus when he approached him.
"I know. Something happened, and... I want you to hear it from me first."
"What is it?"
"Come here."
He heard the words, but he would not allow himself to believe them, to believe that the only father figure he'd ever known was dead and that his mother was responsible. He buried his face in Emma's shoulder and began to cry while Regina's construct wept from inside her Mercedes while her counterpart's tears splashed onto a seeing globe and Cora observed from a rooftop smiling with satisfaction.
Regina waved her hand over the seeing globe, unable to bear any more.
The moment they got Henry home he went upstairs to his room and locked the door behind him.
"Henry! Henry!" Emma cried, pounding frantically.
"I just wanna be alone!" he cried. "Leave me alone!"
He lay down on his bed and clutched the blanket Regina had given him, weeping softly until he could see a faint beam of red light inside his backpack. He unzipped it and took out his staff, the eyes glowing red. As he held it in his hands, the mouth of the dragon opened and blew out a white mist.
The winds of truth….look my master. Look and see the truth.
Henry gazed into the mist and could see an image of Archie's office.
That's not Archie. Archie has a beard and mustache. It's his construct!
He kept watching as Regina strangled the construct and let the body fall on the floor then walked out of the office. Soon a cloud of blue smoke enveloped her and when it cleared Cora was in her place.
I knew it! She's innocent! It's Cora! Mom! Mom! I have to tell them.
No, my master. You must wait.
But why?
Because this is your mother's test to prove that she is willing to become whom she is meant to be.
But she thinks I hate her…that I think she did this.
Then you must go to her.
How?
By flying on my wings. Hold tight master and I will take you to her.
But…they won't let me alone forever. They'll try to get in!
A Henry construct appeared on the bed beside him. "Go. She needs you."
Hold tight master and let us fly.
A cloud of silver smoke surrounded Henry and he vanished. Moments later he reappeared on the front porch of MacDonald's farm and could see his mother through the window. She was sitting on the sofa hugging a photograph of him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Archie sat beside her trying his best to comfort her. He took his cellphone out of his pocket and called her.
"Regina, don't answer it," Archie advised. She picked it up and looked at the screen. "I have to. It's Henry."
"It might be Cora!"
"Mother knows nothing about this land's technology. Hello?"
"Mom?"
"Henry!" she murmured.
"They told me…what they think you did…that you killed Archie."
"I'm so sorry honey but I didn't kill him. I wouldn't."
"I know you didn't. Look out the window."
Regina pushed back the curtain to see Henry standing on the porch, waving his hand at her while he talked on his phone.
"It's him! It's him!" she sobbed, nudging Archie's shoulder. He looked back and Henry waved at him. "But how? You set blood magic wards."
Archie grinned. "Of course, we did. Wards that only kin to a Strogoff or Ozopov can pass through."
"Wait…what? Henry is….but that's not possible!"
She jumped off the sofa and ran outside, hugging him. "Oh, I am so glad to see you but Henry, you shouldn't have come."
"I had to see you and make sure you were okay."
She smiled through her tears. "You've always believed me, loved me, no matter what I did."
"You're my mom."
"So is Emma honey and right now…you need to be with her."
"But this isn't right! You're innocent. Archie, you have to go back to town and tell them!"
"We can't yet Henry. Cora is still out there and she's going to make her move now that she thinks Regina's broken."
"But you're not broken. You can do this. You can fight her," Henry insisted, taking his mother's hands in his and suddenly they began to glow.
"Yes!" Archie exclaimed. "Dellia! Get out here, quick!"
"Archie, what's going on…oh my goddess!"
"What…what is this?" Regina gasped.
"Nothing can hurt you if you're together," Az whispered. "Come in the house. We have a lot to talk about."
Mother and son's hands continued to glow as they walked back into the house.
"You're back. So did you get what you wanted?" Hook asked Cora when she returned to the ship.
"Yes. My daughter's lost everything now."
"Ah. Well, aren't you mum of the year?"
"I did what was needed."
"What about what I need? You promised you'd help me get my revenge on Rumplestiltskin."
"And you will, but you must be patient."
He was running out of patience.
As they viewed the day's events in the Seeing Globe, Rumple picked up the Red Queen and moved her to another space on the chessboard while Belle picked up the Black Queen and moved her.
"Regina is ours. Another few moves," she murmured. "But Emma has a way to go yet."
"With these moves we take back Bae and send Cora and Hook where they belong. Ephesis!" Rumple cried triumphantly and demonstrated using the pieces. "You're becoming quite the player, Belle."
"I learned from the best, dearie!"
And gods help anyone who dared to play the game better.