Chapter 3 – Storybrooke Ends

Zelena appears outside Charming and Snow's apartment in a whirl of dark green magic. She carries a small green backpack draped over one shoulder, while in the hand she holds baby Robin in a bassinette. Zelena moves to the door and sets the backpack down. She knocks, but is surprised as Charming answers the door. He smiles as he opens the door wide.

Charming: "Ah, Zelena welcome! Come in."

Zelena smiles before picking up the back pack. Charming offers her his hand in which she places the backpack.

Zelena: "Hello, all! I hope we're not late?"

Snow glances up from the lounge as Zelena enters the apartment.

Snow: "Oh, don't be silly! Guests are never late."

Snow stands up and greets Zelena before turning her attention to baby Robin.

Snow: "Hello there, little one. We have someone special for you to play with today."

Snow smiles as she waggles baby Robin's little hand. Charming closes the apartment door and moves over to the kitchen bench. He places Zelena's backpack on top of it as Snow picks up Robin and gently rocks her in her arms. Snow turns to Zelena and offers her a seat on a nearby lounge.

Snow: "How are going with it all?"

Zelena sits down and tucks the empty bassinette out of sight.

Zelena: "Well, it's definitely an adjustment. But one for better…"

Charming smiles happily.

Charming: "We're glad to hear it! Can I offer you something to drink, Zelena?"

Zelena shakes her head.

Zelena: "No, nothing for me thanks."

Charming nods as he moves around the kitchen bench towards Snow.

Charming: "Well, that was a cheap shout. May I?"

Charming motions for Snow hand him Robin. Snow smiles happily as Charming takes the little one from her. She moves over to sit near Zelena.

Snow: "Of course…but how are you really going?"

Zelena exhales slowly before speaking.

Zelena: "Exhausted…I never knew so much work went into such a small thing, which is why I was glad when you invited us around today."

Snow smiles curiously towards Zelena.

Snow: "It's not just for today. If you like we can mind Robin whenever you need some time off…or any time, for that matter."

Zelena eyes Snow with a hint of suspicion.

Zelena: "You really mean that, don't you?"

Snow nods enthusiastically.

Snow: "Of course, you both are like family now."

Charming sets Robin down next to Neal in his play pen.

Charming: "I'm sure others would be happy to help out as well. After all it does take a village to raise a child."

Zelena smiles happily with relief.

Zelena: "Well, thank you. After the morning we've had, I may be taking up your offer sooner than you may think…"

Snow turns to Zelena with sudden concern.

Snow: "Why? What's happened today?"

Zelena draws in a deep breath.

Zelena: "Well, first the little Munchkin had a very restless night…teething."

Snow frowns sadly as she turns to Robin and her new playmate.

Snow: "Poor little thing…it was a rough time for Neal as well."

Zelena nods slowly before continuing.

Zelena: "And then that wave of magic touring around town nearly knocked me off my feet!"

Snow raises an eyebrow sceptically.

Snow: "I didn't feel any wave…"

Snow turns quickly towards Charming.

Snow: "Charming, did you?"

Charming shakes his head as he turns towards Zelena.

Charming: "No, I didn't. When was it?"

Zelena motions towards the front door.

Zelena: "Only a few minutes before I arrived…it's why I was late getting here."

Snow turns back to Charming.

Snow: "Could we really have missed feeling it?"

Charming shrugs before turning towards Snow.

Charming: "I don't know, maybe we felt it without realising it."

Snow shrugs as well before turning towards Zelena.

Snow: "Maybe, what did it feel like?"

Zelena turns away, surprised by Snow's question.

Zelena: "Oh, gosh! It was as if someone was trying to tear every fibre of my being away from me…"

Zelena turns back to Charming and Snow. Snow leans over and rubs Zelena's hand.

Snow: "That wouldn't have felt pleasant."

Zelena nods slowly as Snow withdraws her hand.

Zelena: "No, but I can't believe you guys didn't feel that!"

Snow nods slowly before speaking.

Snow: "Well, we're not, magical…like you."

Zelena nods slowly.

Zelena: "Perhaps…it was a magical wave after all."

Charming agrees before glancing over towards baby Robin.

Charming: Did the wave affect Robin at all?"

Zelena turns to the two babies. Robin smiles when she sees her mother looking at her. Zelena smiles happily before turning back towards Charming.

Zelena: "No, not at all. She sat quietly through the whole thing…"

Charming smiles warmly he watches the two babies playing peacefully across the room.

Charming: "Well, that's of some comfort then…"

Zelena nods slowly in agreement as Snow stands and moves over towards the nearest window. She draws the curtain away enough to see the commotion going on outside. People run from house to house as dark storm-like clouds swirl around above them. She glances back inside.

Snow: "There seems to be an awful lot of people outside, considering this storm that's approaching."

Charming moves over to look as well. He sighs as he sees all manner of people rushing around.

Charming: "It's almost chaos out there."

Charming glances back towards Zelena.

Charming: "How was everything out there on your way over, Zelena?"

Zelena shrugs nonchalantly.

Zelena: "I teleported to your doorstep…"

Charming raises an eyebrow at Zelena who rolls her eyes before speaking.

Zelena: "Well, it's more practical then walking or travelling by broomstick, isn't it?"

Charming smiles to himself.

Charming: "I wouldn't know…"

Charming turns around to examine the chaos of the street.

Charming: "It must be some storm that's brewing."

Snow shakes her head quickly.

Snow: "No, Charming. I'm starting to think it's not a storm brewing. The way people are moving it's as if they're gathering everyone together."

Snow points towards a house on the opposite side of the street.

Snow: "See, look! That house across the street."

Charming nods as he sees a group of people leave the house and hurry away down the street.

Charming: "They're evacuating during a storm? It doesn't make any sense…"

Zelena smiles at Charming as he turns back in her direction.

Zelena: "So, shepherd. Do we follow the rest of the flock?"

Charming shakes his head at Zelena's slight barb. But it's Snow who speaks.

Snow: "Well, they might know something we don't. It'd be wise to find out regardless."

Zelena nods slowly.

Zelena: "You should try calling them, to save yourselves the trip."

Snow smiles before moving over and grabbing the apartment's portable phone. She dials a number, but soon frowns.

Snow: "No one's answering…"

Snow tries another number before speaking up.

Snow: "Now it says the systems down!"

Zelena laughs surprising Snow.

Zelena: "Typical, looks like we'll just have to find out the old-fashioned way."

Snow nods, concern colouring her appearance.

Snow: "We should be prepared anything out there…"

Charming nods as he looks out at the street before him.

Charming: "We're going to need our weapons."

Charming leaves the window and moves to the other side of their apartment.

Regina arrives on the outskirts of Storybrooke in a whirl of white magic. The Evil Queen glances in her direction as she channels a stream of magic into the slowly retreating boundary line of Storybrooke. Regina raises an eyebrow before speaking.

Regina: "Is that working?"

The Evil Queen laughs to herself.

Evil Queen: "Barely, you try."

Regina moves to join in the Evil Queen's efforts but hesitates. She looks sheepishly at the Evil Queen before speaking honestly.

Regina: "I…I can't control magic as well as you do…"

The Evil Queen laughs aloud as she stops her magic stream. Regina growls before turning away embarrassed.

Regina: "Are you just going stand there laughing all day?"

The Evil Queen smiles as she glances around at the boundary line.

Evil Queen: "I could. It's just amusing to find out you need my help conjuring magic."

Regina crosses her arms in a huff.

Regina: "I don't need anyone's help…but it would waste less time if you were to tell me how…you do it."

The Evil Queen nods knowingly.

Evil Queen: "That still sounds an awful lot like asking to me."

Regina rolls her eyes as she uncrosses her arms.

Regina: "Well, my…our magic comes from darkness, doesn't it?"

The Evil Queen raises an eyebrow, curiously.

Evil Queen: "If that were entirely true then you wouldn't be here."

Regina nods slowly with understanding.

Regina: "Fair point…so are you really going to make me ask you how again?"

The Evil Queen shakes her head.

Evil Queen: "Raise your right hand…"

The Evil Queen raises her left hand out in front of her. She smiles briefly before reaching into her chest with her right. The Evil Queen removes her half of their heart and motions for Regina to do the same.

Evil Queen: "Now you do the opposite…"

Regina raises an eyebrow suspiciously before raising her right hand out in front as well. She plunges her hand into her chest and removes her half of their heart. She looks the Evil Queen in the eye before speaking.

Regina: "Now what?

The Evil Queen smiles as she moves her heart of their heart closer to Regina's.

Evil Queen: "Now just think of Henry and let that fuel your fire within."

Regina nods and concentrates on the half of their heart as she thinks of Henry. Suddenly their combined heart glows allowing beams of magic to flow forth from both of the outstretched hands. The two beams entangle and impact the outer limits of Storybrooke. The town line begins to retreat as Regina and the Evil Queen channel their magic into Storybrooke's.

The Evil Queen nods slowly before moving her half of their heart away from Regina's. But just as quickly as the light and flowing magic appeared it suddenly fades.

Regina: "Why'd you stop?"

The Evil Queen sighs.

Evil Queen: "Because we need a plan."

Regina raises an eyebrow at her new partner in crime.

Regina: "Isn't this it?"

The Evil Queen shrugs.

Evil Queen: "But to what end? I don't know what 's happening down there or even if this'll make any difference."

Regina laughs at the Evil Queen's reticence.

Regina: "Neither do I, but I trust Swan and the rest to get everyone to safety."

The Evil Queen sighs deeply.

Evil Queen: "And if this doesn't work?"

Regina shrugs nonchalantly.

Regina: "Then we just look like a couple of weirdos standing at the edge of town waving their magic away with their hearts in their hands. Trust me, this will work."

The Evil Queen shakes her head.

Evil Queen: "We don't need to hold our hearts anymore."

Regina nods as they both return their own heart-halves. The Evil Queen continues speaking.

Evil Queen: "At best we can only buy the others time."

Regina sighs deeply.

Regina: "It'll have to do then."

The Evil Queen nods reluctantly but remains silent.

Regina: "Okay then, we use most…"

The Evil Queen interrupts Regina.

Evil Queen: "But not all of our magic here."

Regina nods in agreement.

Regina: "It should buy everyone enough time to get to the centre of town, then what?"

The Evil Queen laughs.

Evil Queen: "Then we panic."

Regina laughs out aloud.

Regina: "Sounds like we have a plan…not a very good one, but at least we have one."

The Evil Queen smiles genuinely.

Evil Queen: "We work better when we're together…"

Regina smiles awkwardly.

Regina: "Right back at…you.

Regina turns away from the Evil Queen shaking her head.

Regina: "Great, I just agreed with myself about how good we work together."

The Evil Queen becomes impatient.

Evil Queen: "Can you set aside our narcissism for one minute so we can get on with this?"

Regina turns back quickly.

Regina: "Okay-okay, on three…"

The Evil Queen raises an eyebrow.

Evil Queen: "Really? A countdown! What are we twelve?"

Regina rolls her eyes.

Regina: "Fine then! On 'go', we go…okay?"

The Evil Queen nods.

Regina: "Go!"

On the signal the Evil Queen and Regina begin channelling their magic into Storybrooke's out limits. After a moment the town line begins to retraces its original path. Both the Evil Queen and Regina turn to one another smiling.

As Henry and Hook make their way into town an exhausted Mr Smee runs towards them. He stops running and leans on his knees, breathing heavily. Mr Smee waves the pair over as he steadies his breath. He speaks as quickly as his exhaustion will allow him.

Smee: "Captain! We must hurry and gather all the crew and anyone else down at the docks…"

Mr Smee draws in a lungful of air. Hook uses his brief pause to speak.

Hook: "Whatever for Smee, have you been drinking?"

Mr Smee shrugs as stands up taller.

Smee: "No more than usual, sir. As for the "why"…why, we're all about to die if we don't get ourselves to the centre of town before ten o'clock!"

Hook moves to argue but stop himself.

Hook: "Bloody hell, you should've led with that!"

Mr Smee frowns.

Smee: "I'm still here to warm you…not matter the order of the wording."

Hook smiles briefly.

Hook: "And we're none-the-less grateful…"

Hook glances towards the dockyards.

Hook: "I'll head down to the docks and bring back anyone I manage to find."

Hook turns around and begins to move away when Mr Smee speaks.

Smee: "I'll join you, sir."

Hook stops abruptly and shakes his head.

Hook: "No! Smee, you're in no…condition to travel. You stay here with Henry and if I'm not back in time you two continue on without me."

Mr Smee nods slowly in assent.

Smee: "Aye, aye sir…"

Henry moves to protest Hook's orders but is interrupted.

Hook: "Henry, there's no time to argue! Lives are at stake, including my own if your mothers find out I sent you into harm's way!"

Henry goes to speak but thinks better of it. Hook nods before racing down to the docks. As he rounds the last bend he runs into several members of his crew walking in the opposite direction. He draws in a breath of air as one of the men speaks up welcomes him.

Crewman: "Hey, Captain. You missed our game today?"

Hook nods curtly as he checks up and down the docks.

Hook: "No time for pleasantries, men. Are there any more people down here?"

The crewmen shake their heads and look each other over as the same man speaks.

Crewman: "No, Captain. We're the only ones down here."

Hook smiles with relief.

Hook: "Aye, that's the best news I've heard all day…come with me, now!"

The crewmen eye their captain suspiciously, but still follow him.

Crewman: "Why do you ask?"

Hook sighs as they leave the dockyard.

Hook: "Well, suffice it to say that we don't make it to the centre of town then we're all as good as fish food!"

The crewmen's eyes widen at Hook pointed remark. One speaks up again.

Crewman: "Then lead on, Captain!"

Hook nods as he turns around and sets out at a jog. The crewmen soon catch him up as the storm clouds that once hovered over the centre of town swell to engulf the whole of Storybrooke. Hook looks at the distance ahead of them and sighs.

Hook: "Ah, where's a witch when you need her!"

The crewmen laugh as Hook speeds up to a run. The crewmen soon match his pace as he continues speaking.

Hook: "Step lively lads! Put those old sea legs to good use!"

The crew all speak as one.

Crew: "Aye, aye Captain!"

Hook smiles as they continue their run. Before long they join up with a very distressed Mr Smee and a relieved Henry. As they move to greet one another two soldiers emerge from a nearby alley, brandishing swords. Hook moves towards where he usually carries his sword and frowns. He raises his arms up as the two soldiers stroll over towards them. Hook whispers to his crew as they all raise their hands as well.

Hook: "On my signal run…don't stop, just run."

The crew nod briefly as the soldiers near them. As one soldier approaches Hook he lunges at him. The soldier sees him coming and swings his sword wildly. Hook catches and parries the soldier's sword to his hook before punching him hard on the chin with his right fist. Hook tears his sword from him as the soldier falls to the ground. The second soldier charges Hook with sword aloft. As the soldier swings Hook deflects the blow skyward with his new sword, before driving his hook into the soldier's abdomen and onwards into his heart. Hook removes his hook ungracefully causing the dying soldier to crumble to ashes, surprising him. Behind him the fallen soldier stirs and rushes Hook again. Hook slashes the man from hip to shoulder before turning to ashes as well.

Hook eyes the scene strangely as he straps his new sword to his belt. He turns around to see Henry staring at him in awe.

Hook: "I told you to run like the others…never mind we need to go!"

Henry nods quickly but soon grabs Hook by the arm and pulls him back. Hook turns to Henry annoyed, but his mood soon changes as Henry points out two more soldiers carrying heavier weapons emerging form the same nearby street as the two previous ones. The soldiers see them and aim the weapons at them.

Soldier: "You two, halt! Where are you going?"

Henry speaks quickly before Hook can.

Henry: "To the centre of town like everyone else."

The soldier nods curtly before training his weapon on Hook.

Soldier: "Good…you! Loose the sword."

Hook removes the sword and throws it to the curb of the street. Henry eyes it with horror as one of the soldier's moves to examine the sword's make. Henry quickly removes his backpack and takes out the storybook page from his bag before casting his bag on top of the sword. The soldier quickly moves his focus towards Henry and the page in his hand. The soldier points towards the page with his weapon.

Soldier: "What's that?"

Henry smiles and folds up the page before answering.

Henry: "Oh, this? Just directions…"

The soldier eyes Henry closely before lowering his weapon.

Soldier: "You won't need them. Follow us…"

Henry sighs with relief as the soldiers turn around and lead them on towards the centre of town.

Snow waits while Charming eyes the new lock adorning the weapons locker with suspicion. He finally yanks on the lock once with force before speaking to Snow.

Charming: "Where'd you get it Fort Knox?"

Snow shakes her head quickly as Charming turns his attention towards her.

Snow: "Of course not, it came from Mother Superior. She said it's completely child-proof."

Charming laughs half-heartedly as he looks around the room casually.

Charming: "That's comforting…so where's the key?"

Snow stops suddenly.

Snow: "It didn't come with any keys."

Charming eyes her suspiciously.

Charming: "Okay, then what's the combination?"

Snow raises an eyebrow.

Snow: "Combination? I thought you set one!"

Charming shakes his head slowly from side to side.

Charming: "How could I? You're the one who got it, remember? So, that was supposed to be your job."

Zelena stands up and bounces baby Robin around to keep her calm.

Zelena: "As entertaining as your marital bickering is, we haven't time for this. We have to go now!"

Charming becomes uncharacteristically frustrated.

Charming: "Not without our weapons!"

Zelena sighs heavily.

Zelena: "Fine, just break the bloody thing and be done with it!"

Charming looks towards Snow as he points in the direction of the fireplace.

Charming: "Snow, pass me the fire poker."

Snow finds the poker and hurls it towards Charming. He catches it and inserts the thin end of the fire poker into the metal latch of the lock. He reefs hard on the other end. Suddenly the fire poker bends awkwardly making Zelena laugh happily.

Zelena: "You did say it was child-proof! Here let me…"

Zelena attempts to blast the lock off with magic, but fails. She growls as Charming looks on happily.

Charming: "You were saying?"

Charming turns to Snow and raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Charming: "Really, Snow?"

Snow shrugs nonchalantly.

Snow: "Well, magic abilities run strongly in this family!"

Charming shakes his head from side to side.

Charming: "There's such a thing as being too careful! Where's a magical sword when you need it?"

Snow rolls her eyes.

Snow: "If we had one it'd be safely locked away in there, now wouldn't it?"

Zelena laughs as Charming shakes his head again.

Zelena: "She's got you there, shepherd!"

Charming growls low under his breath.

Charming: "What's this 'gang-up-on-men-day'?"

Snow laughs lightly.

Snow: "No just you day."

Zelena laughs heartily.

Zelena: "Ooo, when you're right you're right."

Snow smiles coyly. She raises her palm up towards Zelena.

Snow: "Air-five!"

Zelena smiles as she mirrors Snow's actions. Charming rolls his eyes.

Charming: "Fine then, we'll leave without them!"

A sudden knock at the door freezes everyone in the room.

Zelena: "Wait, someone's outside…"

Charming grabs the bent fire poker and joins Zelena near the door. He raises it above his head as Zelena produces a fireball. Charming grabs the doorhandle and glances back towards Zelena.

Charming: "Okay, on three…one, two, three!"

Zelena nods as Charming opens the door suddenly. Zelena moves to throw her fireball but stops as Leroy shouts out in surprise.

Leroy: "Wow, easy there sister!"

Zelena powers down her attack and looks at him with slight disgust.

Zelena: "Oh, just a Munchkin."

Leroy eyes Zelena menacingly.

Leroy: "Hey, I'm a dwarf! And don't you forget it."

Zelena rolls her eyes before turning away.

Zelena: "Oh, forgive me they're so much better…"

Leroy turns to Snow and Charming impatiently as he enters the loft.

Leroy: "Why are you guys still here?"

Snow sighs with relief as Leroy approaches them.

Snow: "Leroy, aren't you a sight for sore eyes…what's happening out there?"

Leroy nods nonchalantly while changing the subject.

Leroy: "Emma's gathering everyone in the centre of town."

Snow turns to Leroy surprised.

Snow: "She is?"

Snow eyes Charming concerned.

Charming: "What on earth for?"

Snow and Charming exchange looks before Leroy interrupts.

Leroy: "What for?"

Leroy shakes his head in disbelief.

Leroy: "There are soldiers in the streets! And if that's not enough motivation for you, then the town's slowly getting sucked into a giant, magical sink-hole. That's what for!"

Charming raises an eyebrow suspiciously as Snow rushes over to the window. She gasps in horror as people run around the nearby streets panic stricken. Snow turns back to Leroy and speaks.

Snow: "We thought it was just a bad storm! What's Emma planning?"

Leroy scoffs lightly.

Leroy: "That's on the 'need-to-know'. But know that if you knew then you'd know that you really wished you really didn't wanna know. So right now, all you need to know is that we've all gotta go!"

Snow nods and hurries back over to the centre of the room.

Snow: "If it's really that dangerous out there…we're going to need our weapons."

Leroy nods in agreement.

Leroy: "Okay good start. So, let's hustle then, your majesties!"

Charming rubs the back of his head as he speaks up slightly embarrassed.

Charming: "Hey Leroy, know any locksmith's close by? We're in a bit of a bind…"

Leroy shakes his head as Charming nods to the locked chest before him.

Leroy: "No, but I've got your lock-picker right here!"

Leroy lifts his pick-axe up, showing Charming. Charming shrugs without much enthusiasm.

Charming: "Any port in a storm…alright then, give it a go!"

Wielding his dwarfish pick-axe Leroy swings a mighty blow severing Mother Superior's magical padlock in two. Charming opens the chest with new found zeal.

Charming: "Thank you, Leroy. You're a lifesaver!"

Leroy shrugs slightly embarrassed at Charming's praise.

Leroy: "It was nothing really…"

Zelena rolls her eyes again as she rocks her daughter gently.

Zelena: "You're so right…now can we go?"

Charming distributes the chest's content around before strapping his sword to his belt. Once done, he picks up his son Neal and smiles at Zelena.

Charming: "Of course, lead the way."

Zelena shakes her head as cradles Robin.

Zelena: "Dashing and daring to a tee! Can't you see I'm carrying precious cargo?"

Charming motions towards Neil in his left arm as Snow slings her bow around her shoulder.

Charming: "Well, so am I!"

Snow and Leroy both shake their heads at both parents as they pass between them.

Snow: "If you two nursemaids are done, we have somewhere we need to be."

Snow and Leroy nod to one another as the exit the loft wearily. Charming speaks to Neil as they too exit the loft.

Charming: "That's the last time we'll be gentlemen to witches…"

Zelena shakes her head as she and Robin follow Charming and Neil out loft's front door.

Zelena: "Oh, ha! Very funny…wait, here."

Zelena waves her arm and casts a spell over all of Charming and Snow's weapons. Charming examines his new umbrella.

Charming: "Really, Zelena? After all the trouble we went to get these?"

Zelena shakes her head.

Zelena: "Relax…it's just a Glamour Spell. So, if any soldier's do intercept us they might not relieve you of your precious toys."

Charming is taken slightly aback, he smiles briefly before speaking.

Charming: "Oh…thank you. Nice thinking…"

Charming points his umbrella towards the open door.

Charming: "Shall I?"

Zelena nods emphatically.

Zelena: "It'd be appreciated!"

Charming darts out the apartment door carrying baby Neal closely to him. Zelena laughs to herself as she closes the apartment door behind them. They all walk cautiously down the adjoining staircase and onto the slowly filling main street of Storybrooke.

Emma and Granny watch the steady trickle of Storybrooke's residents joining them as the minutes draw ever closer to the vortex's deadline. Emma eyes the soldiers as the last of a larger group of townspeople arrives. She quickly glances at Granny before staring at the clock in dread.

Emma: "We're running out of time!"

The Blue Fairy and Belle make their way through the gathering towards Emma. Blue speaks with relief.

Blue: "So many have come in such a short period of time. This is all because of you Saviour."

Emma scoffs lightly as she scans the crowd.

Emma: "But it's nowhere near enough…where the hell is everybody?"

Blue is slightly taken aback by Emma's pointed language. But she soon ignores it to scan the crowd as well. Emma continues speaking.

Emma: "Who are we missing?"

Blue and Belle turn to one another before Blue speaks.

Blue: "Archie's party was heading down the main street not that far behind ours."

Belle continues after Blue.

Belle: "And we passed Leroy as he was going into your mother and father's place. So they shouldn't be too far behind."

Granny chimes in from behind Emma.

Granny: "That Smee hasn't come back from the docks yet either."

Emma looks around before turning to the clock tower as it moves to nine fifty nine.

Emma: "We need more time…"

Emma turns around and sets out quickly to the soldiers nearby. Belle moves to follow her but is held back by Blue. Blue shakes her head slowly as Emma approaches.

Emma: "Hey, Captain Kirk! We need more time over here."

The Captain smiles menacingly.

Captain: "That is hardly any of my concern."

Emma growls low, she produces a fireball in the palm of her right hand.

Emma: "How about I make it your concern!"

The Captain laughs to himself.

Captain: "That would do little to help your fellow townspeople, now wouldn't it? Besides, with our current proximity to the vortex any use of magic will be simply swallowed up by it. "

Emma sighs lightly while she powers down her magical attack. The Captain continues, regardless.

Captain: "As you were told before, this spell cannot be stopped. Now brace yourselves this is well worth the wait!"

The Captain beams with pride as the clock strikes ten. The magical syphoning spell in front of them begins to swirl faster. Before long a gusty wind whipped up by the vortex blows Emma's hair around violently. But just as quickly as the gale came it steadily eases off to a breeze. The magical vortex too slows down it's pace considerably. The Captain eyes the swirling whirlpool in disbelief.

Captain: "Impossible!"

Emma laughs as she stares into the swirling vortex. The Captain turns to Emma aghast.

Captain: "What have you done?"

Emma smiles with amusement.

Emma: "Who, me? Nothing…"

The Captain growls low under his breath as he eyes the vortex.

Captain: "This spell cannot be stopped!"

Emma laughs to herself.

Emma: "Well done, Queenie and Regina…"

The Captain turns back to Emma.

Emma: "It may be impossible to stop but it looks like our people found a way to slow it down!"

The Captain growls low again.

Captain: "Your sorceresses may have halted our progress, but rest assured we will not be stopped!"

Emma smiles as she leaves the soldiers behind. She makes her way back to the gathering just as Leroy and Archie's parties arrive. Snow, Charming and Zelena make their way over to Emma. Snow hugs Emma as Charming turns to Belle.

Charming: "Belle, would you mind taking Neal for me?"

Belle smiles happily as she takes Neal from Charming.

Belle: "Of course not…"

Belle eyes the umbrella in Charming's hand suspiciously.

Belle: "I know there are storm clouds about, but did you really need to bring an umbrella?"

Charming laughs as he examines his umbrella.

Charming: "No, this is actually one of Zelena's glamour spells!"

Belle raises an eyebrow.

Belle: "So, what is it really?"

Charming moves to speak but is interrupted by Snow as she moves to kiss Neal.

Snow: "Just his sword…"

Charming rolls his eyes at Snow as Blue moves over to Zelena.

Blue: "Zelena…I can take care of Robin, if you wish to fight?"

Zelena glances down at Robin before reluctantly handing her over to Blue.

Zelena: "Guard her with your life."

Blue smiles as she takes Robin from Zelena.

Blue: "That goes without saying…"

Zelena eyes Blue curiously.

Zelena: "I thought all fairies were pacifists…so tell me, why the sudden desire to want me to fight?"

Blue smiles as she bounces Robin on her hip.

Blue: "There's nothing wrong with fighting for those you love and care for, Zelena…providing you're doing it for the right reasons."

Blue smiles as she moves over to Belle and Neal. The two continue walking and soon disappear into the crowd of Storybrooke residents. Snow turns to Emma and speaks.

Snow: "We're all here aren't we?"

Emma shakes her head as she scans the crowd once more.

Emma: "No…Henry and Killian are still missing."

Snow glances around with concern as well. But it is Charming who points his umbrella at a group of townspeople being led by Mr Smee.

Charming: "If you want to know where a captain is then maybe we should ask his First Mate?"

Emma turns and moves over towards Mr Smee. They meet and Emma speaks as the rest of them catch their breaths.

Emma: "Smee, where's Killian and Henry?"

Mr Smee nods as he points back down the road towards the docks.

Smee: "Captain Hook took on two soldiers by himself after giving us all orders to escape."

Emma glances over Mr Smee in anguish, before turning back to Mr Smee.

Emma: "So, where's Henry?"

Mr Smee raises an eyebrow quickly.

Smee: "He's not with us?"

Mr Smee turns around in horror. He quickly searches the men accompanying him, before turning back to Emma.

Smee: "He was with us when the Captain saved our lives…"

Mr Smee moves to speak further but is interrupted by a fellow crewmember.

Crewman: "Henry left us not long after we escaped. He was heading in the Captain's direction when we rounded a bend."

Emma growls low but it is Mr Smee who speaks.

Smee: "We're sorry, Emma. Had we known they're plans we wouldn't have abandoned them so hastily."

Emma exhales a breath of air before speaking.

Emma: "It's okay, Smee. You were following orders…you had better join the others where it's safe."

Mr Smee nods sheepishly as the crewmen move over and join the rest of Storybrooke's residents. Snow moves over to Emma and puts one arm around her for a moment. Emma smiles as she stares down the street.

Snow: "We're all worried about them too, you know?"

Emma nods slowly.

Emma: "I know, Mum…"

Snow removes her arm and turns to Emma.

Snow: "Hey, wasn't the whole of Storybrooke supposed to get sucked up by this giant sinkhole thing?"

Emma smiles at Snow.

Emma: "It's a magical syphoning spell and yes it was. But the Evil Queen and Regina had a plan to stop it somehow."

Snow raises an eyebrow sceptically.

Snow: "They're working together? Well, that's a new one!"

Emma laughs lightly but remains silent.

Snow: "I wonder if their plan worked out."

Emma glances at the clock tower before turning back towards Snow.

Emma: "It's already past ten, so I guess it must've worked."

Snow nods slowly with concern.

Snow: "But at what cost?"

Emma shrugs as they both watch to endless swirling of the magical syphoning spell in front of all of them.

Regina begins to tire. The Evil Queen notices her fading and stops channelling her magic into the town line. Regina quickly follows suit and begins to fall over sideways. The Evil Queen reaches over and catches her. Regina resists at first but soon accepts the Evil Queen's assistance, resting heavily on her shoulder.

Evil Queen: "Okay, that's enough of that."

Regina refuses the Evil Queen's assistance.

Regina: "No! We can give more."

The Evil Queen shakes her head.

Evil Queen: "Any more and you'll pass out! No, we've done all we can from here…we should join the others."

Regina begrudgingly agrees with the Evil Queen.

Regina: "Okay…do you think we've bought them enough time?"

The Evil Queen shrugs her free shoulder.

Evil Queen: "There's only one way to find out…"

The unlikely duo disappears in a cloud of dark purple magic.

Hook and Henry follow their unintended chaperons towards the centre of town. As they approach the magical syphoning spell's swirling vortex Hook exclaims in disbelief.

Hook: "Bloody hell!"

Henry smiles as he stares in wonder at the whirling whirlpool.

Henry: "What in the world is that?"

One of the soldiers escorting Henry and Hook laughs before smiling at them menacingly.

Solider: "Your town's end."

Henry swallows hard before drawing his focus away from the soldier's magic and towards the residents of Storybrooke. He turns quickly to Hook as he points past the vortex.

Henry: "Look Killian, over there! It's got to be all of Storybrooke."

Hook smiles briefly.

Hook: "Aye…and I'll wager your mother's the one to thank for it."

Henry nods slowly as he eyes the two soldiers in front of him.

Henry: "And the only things standing in our way are Huey and Dewy over there and a giant demonic sinkhole."

Hook smiles as he follows Henry's gaze.

Hook: "I imagine the Wookie Prisoner ploy is out of the question then?"

Henry laughs to himself.

Henry: "Yeah, I don't think this is quite the right setting…we still need to get to them though."

Hook nods as he looks around.

Hook: "Aye. However we cannot go through them, over them and it would take too much time to circle around to find a way passed them."

Henry turns to Hook concerned.

Henry: "Then what do we do, Killian?"

Hook shrugs as he turns to Henry.

Hook: "Well, we're alive. So, we wait and see what the entire population of Storybrooke has planned, right sailor?"

Henry nods happily.

Henry: "Aye, aye Captain!"

The pair laughs to themselves before turning their attention to the residents of Storybrooke on the other side of the magical syphoning spell.

Regina and the Evil Queen arrive in a whirl of dark purple magic in the middle of the gathered inhabitants of Storybrooke. Regina rests heavily on the shoulder of the Evil Queen as they slowly make their way through the bewildered and frightened townspeople towards Emma and the others.

Emma: "There you two are! Did your plan work?"

Regina shrugs half-heartedly.

Regina: "Did you gather all the townspeople here?"

Emma nods as she quickly glances around the crowd.

Emma: "Yeah, I think we did."

Regina nods happily.

Regina: "Then the plan worked…"

Regina moves to speak further but is interrupted as Hansel and Gretel rush over.

Hansel: "Wait! Our father and Geppetto haven't come back yet!"

The Evil Queen growls under her breath.

Evil Queen: "Great, where are they?"

Hansel sees the Evil Queen and freezes. Gretel moves past her brother to speak to the Evil Queen.

Gretel: "They're in the North Woods, milling timber."

The Evil Queen shakes her head before ungracefully shifting Regina onto Emma.

Evil Queen: "Hold her!"

Emma barely catches Regina as the Evil Queen disappears in a whirl of magic.

Emma: "Where'd she go?"

Regina smiles as she begins to stand on her own.

Regina: "Where do you think?"

Snow overhears Regina and speaks up.

Snow: "The Evil Queen's helping now?"

Regina laughs to herself.

Regina: "If she didn't we'd all probably be dead by now, or worse…"

Almost on queue the Evil Queen appears in a whirl of dark purple magic with two men. The Woodsman and Geppetto fall to the ground, but it's only Geppetto who turns around.

Geppetto: "What is the meaning of this, witch?!"

Geppetto sees the gathered townspeople around him and raises an eyebrow. The Evil Queen smiles as his attention soon turns back to him.

Evil Queen: "I prefer queen, but that'll never happen in your lifetime. Look around…the town is at an end. So a simple thank you will suffice."

Geppetto becomes concerned he looks around the crowd before turning back to the Evil Queen.

Geppetto: "Not until I see my son."

The Evil Queen rolls her eyes once and waves her hand quickly around. Pinocchio appears in a whirl of magic in front of Geppetto. He grabs his son and pulls him into a warm embrace. He glances over his son's shoulder and speaks.

Geppetto: "Thank you."

The Evil Queen smiles briefly.

Evil Queen: "You're welcome."

The Woodsman speaks up.

Woodsman: "My kids as well…"

The Evil Queen moves her arm up and points over the Woodsman's shoulder. He turns around to see Hansel and Gretel standing behind him. He stands and hugs them both. He then turns around to the Evil Queen and nods once. She smiles before nodding as well.

Suddenly the swirling storm clouds draw the town line to within a hundred metres of the magical syphoning spell's vortex. The captain of the invading soldiers raises his voice up so that everyone gathered can hear him.

Captain: "Now that you are all gathered here…"

Charming sighs as he glances around the gathered townspeople around him. But soon smiles as he finds Snow a little distance away from him. He then searches the crowd for his son Neal. Once he spots him in Belle's arms he speaks softly to himself.

Charming: "I really wish we were all I long way away from here…"

Without warning a cloud of dust encircles him before moving quickly around the gathered townspeople towards Snow. It then continues on around the crowd to Neal and then back to Charming, surrounding everyone including several soldiers, before bathing them all in a bright white magic. As the magic disappears so to do all the inhabitants of Storybrooke.

Henry and Hook and the few remaining soldiers stare bewildered as the whole of Storybrooke's residents disappear right before their eyes. Henry looks over to Hook and speaks hastily.

Henry: "Killian, here grab this!"

Hook just manages to draw his attention away from the nearby soldiers as Henry produces the image of the pair of them. Hook eyes it suspiciously.

Hook: "Why?"

Henry moves closer to Hook.

Henry: "There's no time to explain, just trust me on this."

Hook smiles as he grabs the page.

Hook: "We're beyond needing to ask for that, mate."

Henry smiles as the clock in the tower in front of them changes to nine minutes past ten. Hook looks at the image in front of him as they hold it between them.

Hook: "Is that supposed to be us right now?"

Henry shakes his head.

Henry: "No, it'll be us in less than a minute."

Hook nods slowly.

Hook: "I always thought I looked taller…"

Henry smiles but says nothing.

Hook: "What awaits us now, Henry?"

Henry shrugs as the hands of the clock move to ten past ten.

Henry: "A brand new fate…"

Suddenly the vortex spins faster and consumes the last of Storybrooke in a blinding flash of light.