The Jumpers' Dilemma

"Okay, here we are, the middle of the woods," Emma said as she parked the car. D, with August the puppet man serving as a witness, climbed out of the back seat and made their way over to the well. She followed them. "What do we do?"

D stopped and leaned on her crutches. "Let me see your hand," she said, extending her own.

"And just to be clear, you're sure this'll work?"

"Yeah."

"This is almost always her first step for this type of work," August said. "Figure out where and when they got off to."

"Is it safe?"

"Should be," D said. Emma nodded and took D's hand.

"Now, close your eyes." Emma obeyed. She took a deep breath and reached deep into the recesses of the town sheriff.

"This feels weird," Emma said.

"I get that a lot. It's perfectly normal."

"Okay."

"Now, I need you to focus on whatever mental image you have of the boy you're looking for." Emma released another breath. D noticed that she was starting to relax a little. "That's good." Mist started to swirl around them, a blend of purple and gold that D and August knew they or anyone else would never be able to replicate in a million years, and then several sheets formed out of it. The energy was focused on one in particular, a world in total grey scale save for a few figures in one of the villages. They were touched by magic, D thought. There was something else about them, too. They felt like this realm, and they dressed like medieval outlaws. Among them was a boy that matched the description Emma gave. "That's good," D said again.

Gingerly, Emma eased her eyes open. "Did we find them?"

"Yes."

"Looks like a tricky move, though," August said. "Grey scale land doesn't have magic."

D released Emma's hand, and Emma swayed for a moment but managed to stay on her feet. "August's right. The only way to access magic in a land without magic is through its sensitives and portals, and finding either is like finding a needle in a haystack, if there's a needle to be had."

"Which means Rumpelstiltskin's gonna kill me."

"No. Someone like him would need someone like you, and you can't do a lot of good if you're dead."

"Good point."

D read something in August's wooden eyes and said, "We need to talk." Emma nodded and took her cue to retreat back into the car. D limped over to August. "Demon Master."

"What do we do?" August asked.

"We can't let it cross, no matter what. We have to find a way to get them here without opening the way for it, too."

"How?"

"Good question."

"We know somebody in the land without color, don't we? Or we know someone who knows someone?"

"There has to be somebody if it's a land we've heard of."

"I need you to see a man about a hat. See if you can track down anyone in the network from this place."

"If there's not?"

"Then we need another option." August nodded.

OUAT

August took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A moment later, Jefferson answered. "What do you want?" he snapped.

"Your help. I'm looking for someone in the network in the Land Without Color," August replied.

"Hat's burned. Sorry."

"If you want out, just say so. You don't have to go through this elaborate charade."

"It's not a charade. It's the truth. Some jackass from the Forest tossed it into a fire, the son of a bitch."

"Well, we're screwed."

"We? Since when am I involved in your crazy schemes?"

"This isn't mine. It's D's. She's looking for a lost kid and his companions, and we found them in the Land Without Color, but there's also a Demon Master there, and we need a way to get the kid out while making sure that thing stays trapped."

"Can't help you. Now get off my porch."

"'Kay then."

August turned to leave, and Jefferson said, "Hey." August paused and looked at him. "Talk to Rumpelstiltskin. He'll know of something."

August nodded. "Thanks." Jefferson made sure he set a course for the pawn shop before closing the door.

OUAT

Rumpelstiltskin looked up when the bell rang, and he set the chipped cup on the counter with the rag he was polishing it with. "What can I do for you, Mr. Booth?" he asked.

"Oh, God, what am I getting into?" August asked.

"What is it?"

"We found that kid, Weirdo."

"Where is he?"

"In a Land Without Color. And magic."

Rumpelstiltskin straightened only to lean on his cane. "You're sure of this?"

"I watched D and Emma find him themselves. Mostly it was Emma, with D on the assist."

"That's where they found him? Frankenstein's realm?"

"The Land Without Color?" Rumpelstiltskin gave a slight nod. "Yeah, that's where they found him."

"Can he...can he be reached?"

"I don't know. He's with others, others who've been touched by powerful magic, and there's a guide with them, as well, who knows the realm, apparently. He's making sure they all stay out of trouble."

"Does the guide know trouble?"

"I don't know."

Rumpelstiltskin limped around the desk and stopped in front of August. "Thank you," he whispered.

August nodded and turned to leave, and then he turned back. "Could you help me with something?"

"Of course. Absolutely."

"How exactly do we...get there?"

"I assume you're asking me because Jefferson's hat has been burned." August nodded again. "I'm sorry, but I can't, especially not to a land without magic."

"Thanks." Rumpelstiltskin nodded, and August walked out of the pawn shop.

OUAT

"Empty again?" D asked when August met her on a corner.

"Yeah. Can you still open the trods?" August replied.

"I could, but you remember who's in there."

"Oh, yeah."

"We have to be sure there's no other way first. Then we have to take the risk."

"There's one other place to go. The town library."