Chapter 3
fairytale flashback…
(Takes place during OUAT, "That Still Small Voice" when Jiminy is an adult, before he meets with Rumplestiltskin…)
Jiminy's brother, Edward Cricket, was walking with him and their parents.
"I don't understand," Jiminy said, "all this time I had a twin brother, and you never told me?"
"We'll that's what you get when yer bein' raised by con-artists, son." his father joked.
"We thought you were smarter than that," his mother said, "when you boys were born, we couldn't afford to keep both of you, so we conned a young, childless couple into carin' for young Edward, here."
"And now I'm ready to continue in the family business." Edward said.
"Well, I don't know if it's right for me," Jiminy said.
Later, when Jiminy and the parents are asleep…
Edward walks about in the wilderness, alone.
"I summon the one known as Reul Ghorm!" Eddie whispered.
The Blue Fairy appeared.
"What do you require?" she asked.
"Listen," Edward said, "I want to figure out a way to rid myself of my parents and my meddlesome brother."
"I do not know what you mean," the Blue Fairy said.
"My family is making me look bad." Edward said.
"Well, surely you must love them." she said.
"My name is not Shirley, and I do love them, with all my heart. I just want to transport them to a place where they won't be harmed." Edward said.
"Why?" she asked, "What do you get from it? What do you want?"
"Let's just say I want to teach my family a lesson they will never forget." Ed said.
"Well, all I have for something such as what you speak of is a magic bean." she said, showing him a glowing blue bean. "Plant this in the soil and it will transport those around it to another realm, a place where they will be safe from harm. There's only one catch; with this particular bean, once your family has been transported, you will forget that you ever knew them."
In Storybrooke…
George went to Regina's office and knocked on the door. The coldhearted Queen transformed her Queenly gown into her usual business attire. She answered the door.
"Can I help you?" she asked, as she saw George in front of her. She wondered who he was, what he wanted and why he was here.
"Ma'am, my name is George St. Cloud." George said, as he pulled out his card from his coat pocket, "I'm an ADA with the Pacific Bay Police Department. I understand you're the mayor of this town."
"Yes," Regina said with a grin, exchanging a hand-shake, "My name is Regina Mills. It's nice to meet you, Mr. St. Cloud. Now tell me, why are you here?"
He walked into the office.
"I was getting to that Ms. Mills." George said, "We've been following a suspect: one Rudy Brown, a criminal who now possesses permanent metaphysical, augmented, superhuman abilities. He's wanted for murder, theft, and mayhem, and we have reason to believe he was last seen in this town."
"Interesting," Regina said, as she headed over to her desk, "Yes, I seem to recall a savage brute, matching the description you gave, comb through my town like a barren wasteland."
She picked up an apple out of the basket on her desk.
"He was defeated," George said, "by a couple with the last name of Powell."
"How do you know this?" Regina sneered menacingly.
"The police department placed a special tracking device on him that lets us know who he's interacted with at all times. The readings show he was defeated by the Powells." George said.
"Granted that's true, how do you know he isn't back on the streets right now, counselor?" Regina asked, "if I were you, I'd do my job more closely, and examine each and every file."
"Madam Mayor, we've lost track of the Powells," George said.
"Hmm," Regina mused, "no doubt they've moved on by now, to protect another city from injustice. Have a pleasant journey, Mr. St. Cloud, and as a parting gift, why don't you have an apple? You know what they say about health and wellness."
He took the apple from her outstretched arm.
"Thank you, your…honor." George said, "be seeing you."
As George departed, Regina's smile quickly turned into a scowl, and she used her magic to push aside a bookcase. She changed back into her royal robes. She went down a narrow stairway that led to a dungeon. Jim Powell was her prisoner.
"Let me go!" Jim yelled, "you can't contain me!"
"Oh, I believe I can," Regina snarled, "An…associate of mine told me that I might try dosing you with a high amount of cinoxate, stripping away your abilities. Using chemicals like this, it's not usually my style; I prefer curses. Unfortunately for you, I have powers."
She unleashed a force of magical energy that sent Jim flying backward.
"Once your wife and children are out of the way, I will be all-powerful once again." Regina chuckled with mirth.
"You leave my family alone!" Jim cried out in rage.
"Oh, I have no intention of hurting them," Regina said, "on the contrary, dear. If their powers can be manipulated and harnessed for my purposes, I shall be unstoppable. Emma Swan, Snow White, not even Rumplestiltskin will be able to defeat me. All I need is the Trilsetum. Your wife should come in handy with the knowledge about it that I need. Until we meet again, Mr. Powell."
She laughed wickedly as she walked away.
Later back at Snow's apartment.
"I talked to Regina, she didn't know anything." George said, "at least she didn't seem to."
"It probably was just a ploy," Snow said, "to lead you off her trail."
"I have an idea," Emma suggested, "why don't we question the town shrink, Archie Hopper, now known as Jiminy Cricket?"
"A cricket is the town psychiatrist?" Stephanie asked in disbelief.
"He's in human form right now." Henry said.
"And Charming and I will consult the Blue Fairy." Snow said.
"Alright, George, you, J.J., and I will go with Snow and Charming to visit…the Blue Fairy," Stephanie said, barely able to believe the words that were coming out of her own mouth, "Daphne, you go with Emma and Henry to consult Dr. Hopper aka Jiminy Cricket."
"On second thought, I'm going to visit Mr. Gold alias Rumplestiltskin," Emma said, "I have a feeling he's behind all this magic."
"Then let's get moving!" Charming said.
Emma came up to Daphne.
"You better take care of my kid," Emma whispered, "Don't let anything happen to him, got me?"
"Yes ma'am." Daphne responded.
"Good," Emma said, "I'll rendezvous with you as soon as I can."
Meanwhile, at Mr. Gold's pawn shop…
"Y'know, Belle," Rumple said, "I've discovered something fascinating about the magic in this realm."
Belle looked at him intuitively.
"I can change my appearance," Rumple said, "Rumplestiltskin…"
He snapped his fingers and a puff of smoke engulfed him, changing him back into his Storybrooke counterpart..
"Mr. Gold," he said, as he held up his dagger, "and it's all contained within this simple little dagger."
The bell on the door to his shop rang, as Emma Swan burst in. Rumple quickly hid the dagger.
"Gold, we need to talk," Emma said.
"Ah, yes," Mr. Gold said, "What can I do for you, Miss Swan?"
"Drop it!" Emma said coldly, "First of all, who's she?"
"This is my love who was lost to me, thanks to Regina," Gold said, "but now she's back to stay. Her name is Belle. Belle, this is the savior, Emma Swan, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming."
"Nice to meet you," Belle said, extending a hand. "Rumple's told me so much about you."
"Well, 'Rumple' has some explaining to do," Emma said, "what is this magic you brought to Storybrooke; what can it do?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, dearie." Rumple said, "It seems that the talk of the town is all about superhuman people with extraordinary abilities, the Powell family if I've heard correctly."
"Listen, 'dearie'," Emma said harshly, "The Powells are unimportant right now. What's the deal with this magic?"
"Miss Swan, magic is power," Rumple said, "but it also comes with a price."
"Well, I have a feeling you're going to be the one to pay it," Emma said, as she walks out of the shop.
Later, at Archie's office, Daphne and Henry were investigating.
"Henry, what can I do for you?" the faux Archie asked.
"Oh, hi Archie!" Henry exclaimed, "or should I say Jiminy Cricket! Guess I don't need my therapy sessions anymore, huh?"
"Nope," O'Bannon said, "but just remember: always let your conscience be your guide!"
He stared at Daphne.
"You!" Daphne whispered.
"Can I help you, miss?" O'Bannon asked.
"Oh, sorry, Jiminy," Henry said, "this is my new friend, Daphne Powell. She's from out of town."
"Just curious," Daphne said, "Have you ever been to Pacific Bay?"
She read his mind.
I hope this kid doesn't find out who I am! he thinks, Wait, she looks familiar. She's Jim Powell's daughter! She's the one who manipulated me!
She gasped.
"Well, this curse wouldn't let me leave town, so I'm afraid I haven't." "Archie" said, "Frankly, I don't understand how you made it to Storybrooke. The magic that's been unleashed has this town sealed tighter than a snare drum. Is everything alright, Miss Powell?"
"Yeah," Daphne said slowly, "I'm…fine."
"You know what they say about curiosity, Miss Powell," O'Bannon said standing up with a smirk upon his face.
"W-What are you talking about?" Daphne asked hesitantly.
"Jiminy, what are you doing?" Henry asked.
"I just need to teach you both a lesson of conscience you'll never forget!" O'Bannon said, as he shoved them both in a closet.
"No, O'Bannon, let us—" Daphne started to mind-push him, but he slammed and locked the door shut, preventing her from controlling him.
"Jiminy, let us out!" Henry cried.
O'Bannon walked off.
Meanwhile, Stephanie, JJ, George, Snow and Prince Charming were at the Convent.
"Well, this is the Blue Fairy's convent, but where is she?" Snow asked.
"I'm right here, Snow," she said.
The Blue Fairy aka Mother Superior came up to them in her nun robes.
"Why are you still dressed as a nun?" Snow asked, "I thought with magic coming to this place you would revert back to your fairy form."
"Rumplestiltskin was the one who brought the magic here," the Blue Fairy said, "with him controlling it for his purposes, I dare not tap into its power. The magic he possesses is a dark evil."
"All we want to know is what happened to my husband, Jim." Stephanie said.
"Ah, yes." The Blue Fairy said, "Your husband is the Queen's prisoner. She wants you as well."
"Then I'll find her," Stephanie said, "and rescue Jim."
"Wait," The Blue Fairy cautioned, "The Queen has united with a foe from your world. A dangerous woman whose evil is as great as Regina's, or even surpasses her."
"Helen Burton," Stephanie said, "What kind of evil would those two women unleash? And what use could Helen have with magic?"
"I'm sure your foe has her own schemes in mind." Charming said.
Sometime later, Regina decided to go to the playground which was now a replica of her old palace. She was back in business attire.
"Extraordinary," Helen said, sitting on a park bench nearby, "A playground for children modeled after a regal castle. I'm sorry, your majesty, but there is one thing I neglected to mention. I don't normally give out the services of these meta-criminals for free of charge. As magic comes with a price, so too do superpowered criminals."
"I don't need to give you anything!" Regina snapped, "My power is limitless. I can destroy you with a single gesture!"
"But you won't!" Helen said, "Did you ever wonder why none of those metahumans ever decided to take me down and run the show themselves?"
"What, do you have some sort of immunity towards them?" Regina asked.
"You might say that," Helen said, "I can shut them down in an instant. Just like I can shut you down."
"I highly doubt that," Regina smirked, "No one can control my power."
She zapped Helen, but the blast turned back at her. Regina fell to the ground.
Helen picked up a familiar looking staff that she had hidden behind the playground.
"It's a little present I received from a good friend of yours," Helen said, "she instructed me to make you suffer."
"Maleficent!" Regina growled, "She'll pay!"
"I don't see that happening any time soon," Helen said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a certain imp to visit."
She walked off, leaving Regina groveling in the dirt.
(Fairy tale flashback)
Edward led his brother and parents through the enchanted forest.
"Mom, Dad, Jiminy, I have a surprise for you," Edward said, "just follow me a little further."
He led them to a crossroads in the forest.
"Now just stand here for moment," he said, "I'm going to check if the coast is clear. If you need me, give a little whistle!"
He hid behind a tree, waiting for the magic to engulf his family.
After a few minutes he came back out.
"What's the matter?" Eddie asked, "Why are you still here?"
Suddenly, a green glow surrounded Eddie.
"Wait, what's going on?" Eddie asked.
"We found that fancy bean of yers, son." Ed's father said. "We know that vendor in the market was tryin' to sell 'em. Well, we know the vendor is the Blue Fairy."
"Looks like you're leaving us, Eddie," Mum said, "we'll miss you."
"Never try to con a con, son." Dad said, "it doesn't work."
He turned to Jiminy, "let that be a lesson to you, my boy."
"Jiminy will make a fine swindler," Mum said, "you weren't cut out for this work."
"Nooooo!" Eddie screamed as he faded away.
"What were we doing?" Jiminy asked, his memory devoid of his brother's existence.
"I don't know," his father said, "but we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Places to go, people to take advantage of. I suggest we hit the hay."
Back in Storybrooke…
Jiminy stared out of his glass jar prison. He was with Victoria in Regina's old office.
"I remember now," he said, "Eddie, my brother. The Queen's curse must've reversed the bean's spell."
"Unfortunately, you won't be reversing this barbeque." Victoria said, picking up the jar containing the captive cricket, "Ms. Burton doesn't like useless things lying around so let's say we dispose of you shall we?"
She emptied the jar onto a sheet of flypaper, leaving poor Jiminy helpless and stuck. Victoria picked up a magnifying glass, and started to roast the cricket while he chirped in pain.
Later…
The bells rang on the door to Mr. Gold's pawnshop.
Helen Burton walked in.
"Hello, Madam, what can I do for you?" Mr. Gold asked.
"That depends," Helen said, "I'm looking for a man named Mr. Gold."
"I am he," Gold said.
"That's funny, I've heard that you have a few…other names as well. Oh, how rude of me. Speaking of names, and I haven't introduced myself. My name is Helen Burton."
He shook her hand.
"Ah yes," he recalled, "The illustrious CEO of the Globaltech company. I believe we spoke on the phone earlier, Ms. Burton."
"Yes, and as promised, I have taken care of the royal pain in your side, the Regina problem." Helen said.
"Now how did you manage that?" Rumple chuckled.
"I can be very intimidating when I want to be, Mr. Gold." Helen said. "Now that your…competition has been eliminated, I demand what you promised me."
"I don't know what yer talkin' about, Dear," Gold said, "I didn't promise you anything."
"Yes, you did." Helen said, "you claimed there is magic in this town and said you would offer me a portion of this magic in exchange for eliminating Regina from the game-board."
"Except we all know that pawn gets the Queen back, now don't we?" Rumple asked.
"That depends on who the pawn is," Helen said.
Belle came out from the back room.
"Rumple, what's going on?" she asked.
"Yes, what is going on Rumple?" Helen asked, "if that is your real name. Who is she? Where is this magic? I'll give you forty-five seconds to explain."
She took out a gun from her purse, and aimed it at Belle's head.
"Don't do anything foolish, Dearie," Rumple said, "Her name is Belle, and she's my love."
"Oh, how sweet," Helen said with faux compassion, "that'll make it all the more tragic when you don't tell me the location of the magic. Twenty-nine seconds, Rumple."
"Well, the thing is a good part of the magic…is in me!" Rumple said, as he engulfed Helen in a cloud of purple smoke, transforming her into a snail. The gun fell to the floor. Rumple picked it up.
"I'll teach you to mess with my true love!" Rumple yelled, as he aimed the gun at the snail and got ready to squash her with his boot.
"Rumple, no!" Belle shouted, "there's no need for this sort of violence."
"But she was going to murder you Belle!" Rumple said, "I just have to protect you!"
"This isn't the way and you know it!" Belle said, "now change her back and send her on her way."
"Oh, alright," Rumple said, "I suppose there could be some further use for her."
He snapped his fingers and Helen changed back to normal.
"Well, you got a taste of the magic firsthand," Rumple said, as he aimed the gun at Helen, "but that's all yer ever gonna get out of me, Dearie. Remember, magic is power, but it also comes with a price. Get moving!"
He pushed Helen out the door.
Meanwhile, Victoria continued to torture Jiminy.
Suddenly, she was whacked upside the head with a shovel and knocked unconscious.
Geppetto freed Jiminy.
"Come," Geppetto said, "my boy. He needs you."
Meanwhile, Daphne and Henry tried to figure out how to escape the broom closet.
"So that wasn't Jiminy Cricket?" Henry asked.
"No, he's an ex-cop from my hometown." Daphne said, "He tried to kill my dad's friend, but I…persuaded him otherwise. His real name is O'Bannon. He's dangerous. Don't know what he's doing here, though."
"Maybe he's working for the Queen." Henry said.
"Could be," Daphne said, "now how do we get out of here?"
"Use your powers," Henry said, "you must have some way to get out of here."
"All I can do is read minds and push people's thoughts," Daphne said, "A lot of good that does us in here."
"Where there's someone with mind powers, that means they have telekinesis," Henry said, "trust me, I read a lot of comics."
"I know someone who love to hang out with you," Daphne said.
"Just focus on the door knob," Henry said.
The door knob turned and the kids listened the gears turning inside. The door opened and they leave.
"You did it!" Henry said, "now let's go find that cop."
"Not so fast," Daphne said, "you're going home. I promised your mom I'd keep you safe."
"But I can help, please." Henry pleaded.
"Henry, it would be best if you go home," Daphne said, as she gently mind-pushed the boy.
"You're right," Henry said, "it's probably best if I go home."
Meanwhile, in August's room at Granny's bed-and-breakfast.
Jiminy and Geppetto came in to find Pinocchio as a wooden puppet lying motionless on the bed.
"Oh my gosh!" Jiminy cried, "Pinoke!"
"My boy," Geppetto whimpered, "what's happened to you?"
"Father?" Pinocchio asked, weakly.
"You're alive!" Geppetto exclaimed.
"It's the curse!" Jiminy said, "since Emma broke, Pinoke is turning back to normal."
"So you'll be a real boy, er, man, again!" Geppetto said.
"Excuse me," Red said, knocking on the door, "Granny wondered if I could get anything for you guys."
"Well, we'll need some heavy lifting equipment," Geppetto said.
"Of course," Red said, as she picked up a sledge hammer, "we'll this do?"
She knocked Geppetto over the head with it and transformed into Victoria.
"Victoria!" Jiminy exclaimed, "C'mon, Pinoke, we've got to get out of here!"
"You're going nowhere, you meddlesome cricket!" Victoria yelled, as she swatted Jiminy away.
"You on the other hand," Victoria said to Pinocchio, as she pressed a button behind the bed. Two metal chords came in through the window and attached to the bedpost. They then took the bed out the window, and Pinocchio was air-lifted by helicopter.
"Ms. Burton has big plans for you," Victoria scowled.
Granny came in.
"I heard a noise. What—?" Granny stopped as she saw Red with a gaping hole in the wall.
"Red, what happened?" Granny said, "don't tell me you wolfed-out again! It isn't even dark yet!"
"Yes, well Granny, apparently magic has some…unpredictable properties in this world." "Red" said.
"What happened to Geppetto? Where's Pinocchio?" Granny asked.
"The old man had a heart-attack when he saw what happened to his wooden son." "Red" said, "however, you'll soon be joining him."
She transformed back into Victoria.
Granny grabbed her cross-bow and shot Victoria with an arrow, but missed her.
"Stay back," Granny warned, "I'm armed!"
"You wouldn't be able to hit me with that thing even if you could, old woman!" Victoria said.
"Yeah, but you don't know about her secret weapon!" Red said, as she proceeded to attack Victoria.
"You can shapeshift," Red said, "but you have no idea what I turn into when the moon comes up."
Suddenly a magical force pried the two fighting women apart.
Regina appeared.
"Bow before your Queen!" she commanded. "I see your boss didn't waste any time trying to harness magic. She tried to destroy me. I've never gotten along particularly well with any of my…competition. What do you say, Victoria? Care to work for me instead? I'll pay you triple what Ms. Burton was paying you. Plus, there are certain…perks to working for a Queen."
"Let me guess," Victoria said, "I have to tidy up the dungeon?"
"Oh, I have far greater plans for you than that." Regina said, "you have no idea what I can offer you."
"Alright, I'm in." Victoria said.
Regina and Victoria walked away leaving Red, Granny, and Jiminy caring for a helpless Geppetto.