There was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know. Or think we know. One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our World. Out of all the sisters of Penny Halliwell's daughters, only one is alive. This is how it happened…
–[Fairy Tale World]–
PRINCE CHARMING'S POV
I ride on a horse along a long stretch of land towards a forest. In the forest, I meets several dwarves and Snow White's two sisters Patricia/ Patty and Paisley gathered around a glass coffin.
Doc: You're too late.
I see Snow White lying inside the coffin.
"You're too late," Doc said to Prince Charming.
"No!" No!" "Open it," I said to them.
"I'm sorry, she's gone," Grumpy said.
"At least let me say goodbye," I told them.
The dwarves remove the lid of the coffin. I kissed Snow White, which causes the spell she was under to be broken. A pulse of magic spreads throughout the land." She wakes up and gasps. "You… You found me."
"Did you ever doubt I would?" I asked Snow White.
"Truthfully, the glass coffin gave me pause," Snow White said, making Patty and Paisley laugh.
"Well, you never have to worry. "I will always find you," I told Snow White.
"Do you promise?" Snow asked me.
Patty, Paisley, the kingdom and the Dwarves are gathered around Snow and I.
"I do," I told Snow White.
"And do you, Snow White, promise to take this man to be your husband, and love him for all eternity?" the Priest told her.
"I do," Snow White said.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the Priest said.
There is a round of applause. Snow White and I lean in for a kiss, but are interrupted. The door bangs open. The Evil Queen entered. "Sorry I'm late."
The Evil Queen approaches the couple. Two guards try to stop her, but she pushes them out of the way with magic.
"It's the Queen." "Run!" Doc says.
Snow White draws my sword and points it at the Evil Queen.
"She's not the Queen anymore. "She's nothing more than an evil witch," Snow said.
"No, no, no. Don't stoop to her level." "There's no need," I said. I take the sword from Snow.
"You're wasting your time. "You've already lost. "And I will not let you ruin this wedding," I told the Evil Queen.
"Oh, I haven't come here to ruin anything." "On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."
"We want nothing from you," Paisley said.
"But you shall have it!" "My gift to you is this happy, happy day." "But tomorrow, my real work begins." "You've made your vows, now I make mine." "Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you- including you're sister's Snow." "Forever." "And out of your suffering, will I will rise my victory." "I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do."
The Evil Queen turns around and heads for the door.
I call after her. Hey!"
The Queen turns around. I throw my sword at her, but she dissipates before it hits her. The remaining people at the wedding nervously talk amongst themselves, and Snow and I hug. Patty and Paisley hug Snow as well."
–[Real World]–
HENRY'S POV
Sam, Dawn, and Celia snuck out of the Manor and met me at the castle where we went to the bus stop and hopped on a bus. We had to get two busses. We were heading toward Boston where my birth mother, Emma Swan lived. We were reading my storybook about Snow White and Prince Charming's wedding. Lucky we had the book to read.
"That a good book?" asked a woman sitting across from us.
"This?" Sam said. "It's more than just a book."
"Oh." She said, chuckling.
"Boston, South Station. "Thank you for riding Greyhound," the announcer said.
"Come on," I tell them, grabbing my brown backpack. We got off the bus, Dawn grabbing both Sam and her niece's hand when I spot a taxi. We walk over to the taxi and I knock on the window.
"Uh… You take credit cards?" I asked the bus driver.
"Where to, pretty man and woman's The driver asked us."
EMMA'S POV
I enter the restaurant and look around until I see my date.
The man goes to shake my hand. "Emma."
"Ryan?" "You look relieved." I tell him.
"Well, it is the internet." "Pictures can be…
"Fake. "Outdated." "Stolen from a Victoria's Secret catalogue. So…" I said, sitting down.
"So… Um… "Tell me something about yourself, Emma," Ryan said.
"Oh. Ah, well, today's my birthday," I told him.
"And you're spending it with me!" "What about your friends?" Ryan asked me.
"I'm kind of a loner."
"And, you don't like your family?" Ryan said.
"No family to like," I said.
"Oh, come on." "Everyone has family," Ryan said.
"Technically, yeah, and everyone knows who they are?" "Ready to run yet?"
"Oh, not a chance." "You, Emma, are by far, the sexiest, friendless orphan I have ever met," Ryan told me.
I laughed. "Okay. "Your turn." "No wait, let me guess. Um… You are handsome, charming…"
"Go on," Ryan told me.
"The kind of guy who – and now, stop me if I get this wrong – embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail."
"What?" Ryan said, surprised by my reply.
"And the worst part of all is your wife- your wife loves you so much that she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty?" "You're on a date," I told him.
"Who are you?"
"The chick who put up the rest of the money," I said.
"You're a bail bondsman." Ryan said.
"Bail bondsperson," I corrected him.
Ryan flipped the table, spilling everything on me. He ran out of the restaurant.
"Really?" I said, annoyed.
Ryan ran down the street, while dodging traffic, to his car. I calmly walk towards the man's car.
Ryan starts the ignition, but the car won't move. He opens the door to look out, and sees a boot. I caught up to him.
"You don't have to do this, okay?" "I can pay you." "I got money.
"No, you don't- and if you did, you should give it to your wife to take care of your family," I said.
"The hell you know about family, huh?" Ryan questioned me.
"Nothing."
I arrive home to my apartment, kick off my shoes and open a box with a cupcake inside that I had brought on my way home from work. I put on a single, star-shaped candle on top and lit it. I leaned on the counter, closed my eyes and made a wish- I wished that I had family and that I wasn't alone anymore. "Another banner year."
I opened my eyes as the doorbell rang. I answer it to see a ten-year -old boy with brown hair and green eyes, and three girls- the oldest looked to be around 10 with blue eyes and brown hair, the girl next to her looked to be 7 and had green eyes and blonde hair, and the youngest was clearly 3 and had blonde hair and green eyes."
"Uh? Can I help you kids?" I asked them.
"Are you Emma Swan?" the boy asked me.
"Yeah. "Who are you?" I asked, confused.
"My name's Henry. "I'm your son- and this is Dawn, Celia and Sam."
"Hi, Sam, Dawn, Celia and I said at the same time.
Henry, Dawn, Celia and Sam pushed past me to get into the apartment. I use my reflexes and grab Sam, pulling her into me.
"Hey, how come I get stopped, but not the others," Sam told me, complaining.
"Because you're the closes," I told her, bringing her into the apartment. I had my hand on her. "And stop whining."
"Whoa!" "Hey, kid!" Kid!" Kid!" "I don't have a son!" "Where are you fours parents?"
The boy went to the bench and looked at me. "Ten years ago. "Did you give up a baby for adoption?" "That was me."
I stared at the kid. "No!" "This couldn't be happening, I've gone on with my life. I wasn't ready to be a mother again." "Yet, the boy standing next to the two girls was my son."
…Give me a minute," I say, trying to calm myself down. I let go of the child, but she follows me. I go into the bathroom with the child behind me. I gently push her back towards the kitchen and she gets the message and goes back. I breathe heavily, holding on to the door.
Henry yells from the other side of the door. "Hey, you have any juice?" "Never mind, found some."
I walk out of the bathroom to see the boy drinking straight from the bottle. The three girls were drinking in glasses.
"You know, we should probably get going," Henry said. The girls nodded in agreement.
I looked at the kids. I folded my arms. "Going where?" I asked them.
"Sam, Dawn, Celia and I want you to come home with us," Henry said.
"Okay, kids. I'm calling the cops," I said, going to the little table where I kept the phone.
"Then I'll tell them you kidnapped us," Henry said, Dawn, Celia and Sam high fiving him.
"And they'll believe you because I'm your birth mother."
"Yep," Henry said.
"You're not going to do that," I told them.
"You're pretty good. "But here's the thing – there's not a lot I'm great at in life." "I have one skill. "Let's call it a superpower. "I can tell when anyone is lying and you, kid, are," I told him.
"She's right Henry," Sam said. Sam looks at me. "Emmy, I have that power too."
"Emma," I corrected the 3- year old. "Em… Emmi," Sam said, trying to get my name right.
I sighed. "Fine, call me Emmi/ Emmy."
I start dialing the number to call the cops.
"Wait… Please don't call the cops. "Please, come home with us.
"Yeah," Sam piped up. "You wouldn't dare call the cops," Sam said, smartly and I so wanted to hit her. She was a Smartass."
I'd had enouth. I turned to Sam. "Kid, what's you're home number," I asked her. "I'm calling you're parents- it's that or the cops." "Take you're pick," I told her.
When the kid didn't answer, I started to dial the cop's number.
"Wait…" don't call the cops." Sam walks over to me. My number is 5550198." "Dawnie, Celia and I live together." "Prue is my sister."
"Last name," I asked her. "Halliwell," Sam muttered.
I dialed the numbers and a woman answered. "Hello, Halliwell residence, my name is Prue who may this be," the woman's voice asked.
"My name is Emma Swan and I'm calling because I have you're sister here with me in Boston," I told her.
She came with Henry, Dawn and Celia."
"Thank god, we were so worried." "Uh, can you drop them home," Prue asked me.
"Uh, okay," I said, before hanging up.
I looked at Henry, Dawn, Celia and Sam. "Where's home?"
"San Francisco, Storybrooke, Maine," they all said together.
"San Francisco, Storybrooke, Maine?" Seriously?"
"Mmhmm," Henry and Sam said.
"Alrighty, then. "Let's get you back to San Francisco, Storybrooke, Maine.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
PAISLEY'S POV
At the royal castle, Snow white stands near the door of a balcony. A bluebird flies off her finger. She is visibly pregnant. Patty and I are watching her. Charming walks up to her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Snow said.
"You're thinking about what the Queen said again, aren't you?" "Snow, please. "I can't keep having this conversation. "You have to let it go. "We're about to have a baby," Prince Charming said.
"He's right, Snow." "You have to stop worrying," I told my youngest sister. Patty and I are about to have a niece and godchild."
"I haven't had a restful night since our wedding," Snow said.
"That's what she wants – to get in your head. "But they're only words. She can't hurt us," Charming said.
Patty, Snow and I looked at him. "She poisoned an apple because she thought I was prettier than her." "You have no idea of what she's capable of," Snow told him.
"Yeah, Paisley and I nearly lost our sister because of her- I don't know how Paise can still be Regina's best friend after what she did to Snow," Patty said.
"I know Regina's our stepmother, but she's my best friend beside you two," Patty said.
"What can I do to ease your mind?" Charming said.
"Let me talk to him," Snow told Charming.
"Him?" "You don't mean…" Charming said.
I do," Snow said.
"No, no, no. It's too dangerous," Charming said.
"Charming, just listen to our sister, please," I told him. Patty nodded in agreement.
"Can you promise me that our child will be safe?" "Can you guarantee it?" "Because he can," Snow said.
"Alright. "For our child," Charming told Snow.
"Good, cause Paisley and I care about our nieces future," Patty said and I nodded in agreement.
–[Real World]–
EMMA'S POV
Henry, Sam, Dawn, Celia and I are driving in my car. Henry was in the front with me and Dawn, Celia and Sam were in the back. Henry looked out the window, while I kept my eyes on the road. I looked in the rear vision mirror to and saw that Sam was fast asleep on the windowsill, and Dawn and Celia were also looking out the window.
Henry looked at me before looking away and I looked at him. I wondered what he was thinking.
"I'm hungry." "Can we stop somewhere?" Henry asked me and I see Dawn and Celia rolling their eyes. I smiled at them. I couldn't agree more.
"This is not a road trip." "We're not stopping for snacks," I told him.
"Why not?" Henry asked me.
"Quit complaining, kid. "Remember – I could have put you, Dawn, Celia and Sam's butt on a bus. I still could- but Sam is only 3 and I told Prue I would drop the girls home," I said.
"You know I have a name?" It's Henry, and the girls names are Sam, Dawn and Celia," Henry said.
I looked down. I saw that Henry is reading a book. I looked at the road before looking back at the book.
"What's that?" I asked him.
"Dawn, Celia, Sam and I are not sure you're ready," Henry said. Dawn and Celia nod.
"I'm not ready for some fairy tales?" I said, disbelievingly.
"They're not fairy tales. "They're true." "Every story in this book actually happened," Henry, Dawn and Celia, said at the same time, looking at me.
"Of course they did," I said.
"Use your superpower." "See if we're lying," Henry said.
I looked at Henry then at Dawn, and Celia. "Just because you believe something, doesn't make it true."
"That's exactly what makes it true." "You should know more than anyone," Dawn told me.
"Why's that?" I asked them.
"Because you're in this book," Celia responded.
"Kids, you've got problems," I said, worried about them.
Henry looked at me. "Yep, and you're gonna fix them," Henry told me.
Henry looked back at the book.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
SNOW WHITE'S POV
The illustration of the torch in the book zoomed to a real dungeon.
"When we reach the cell, stay out of the light. "And whatever you do, do not let him know your name." "If he knows your name, he will have power over you," the guard told us."
"Rumplestiltskin." "Rumplestiltskin!" "I have a question for you," the guard said.
"No, you don't. They do. Snow White and Prince Charming… You insult me. Step into the light and take off those ridiculous robes," Rumplestiltskin told them.
Charming and I do as he says and takes off the robes.
Rumplestiltskin cackled. "That's much better."
"We've come to ask you about the…" Charming begins, but Rumplestiltskin cuts him off.
"Yes!" "Yes!" "I know why you're here!" "You want to know about the Queen's threat." Rumplestiltskin said.
"Tell us what you know," I said.
"Ooh, tense, aren't we?" "Fear not!" "For I can ease your mind. "But…" "It's going to cost you something in return," Rumplestiltskin told us.
"What do you want?" I asked him.
"Oh…" "The name of your unborn child?" Rumplestiltskin said.
"Absolutely not!" Charming said.
"Deal!" "What do you know?" I said.
"The Queen has created a powerful curse." "And it's coming." "Soon, you'll all be in a prison. "Just like me, only worse." "Your prison, all of our prisons, will be time. "Time will stop, and we will be trapped." "Someplace horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love, will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity." "While the Queen celebrates, victorious at last." "No more happy endings," Rumplestiltskin said."
"What can we do?" I asked him.
"We can't do anything," Rumplestiltskin said."
"Who can?" I asked.
"That little thing, growing inside your belly Rumplestiltskin said." He points at my belly. Charming slashed his hand away with a sword.
"Next time, I cut it off," Charming told Rumplestiltskin.
"Tsk ,tsk- "The infant is our only hope." "Get the child to safety and on its twenty-eighth birthday, the child will return." "The child will find you and a final battle will begin," Rumplestiltskin told us." He laughs maniacally.
"We heard enough. "We're leaving," Charming said.
Charming and I head for the dungeon's exit.
"Hey! No!" "We made a deal!" "I want her name!" "We had a deal!" "I need her name!" "I want her name!" Rumplestiltskin said.
"Her?" It's a boy," Charming said.
"Missy…" "Missy…" "You know I'm right." "Tell me, what's her name?"
"Emma!" "Her name is Emma!" I told him."
"Emma…" Rumplestiltskin says.
–[Real World]–
EMMA'S POV
We finally arrive in Storybrooke and it is a rainy night.
We go past a sign that says Welcome to San Francisco, Storybrooke. Quaint little town."
I looked in the rear view mirror. Sam was awake.
"Okay, kids. "How about an address?" I told Henry, Sam, Dawn and Celia.
"One, three not telling you street," Sam said, smartly and I so wanted to hit her- I know I already said that, but it was true. She was only 4 years old but she was a smartass." And she wasn't my child.
"You're in trouble," Celia sang to Sam. "Emma's gonna tell Prue that you were a smart aleck and you'll get spanked and grounded."
"So will you and Dawn." Sam told her.
Celia and Dawn groaned, they knew Sam was right.
The brakes squealed as I stopped the car. I stepped out and as I slammed the door the power lines blew a fuse. I ignored it and glared and Sam. She, Henry and the other girls got out of the car.
"Look, it's been a long night and it's almost… 8:15?" I said fed up with Sam's smart aleck comments.
"That clock hasn't moved in Sam and I's whole life. Times frozen here," Henry said.
"Excuse me?" I asked hardly believing what he said.
"It's true!" Sam retorted.
"The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here." Henry, Sam, Dawn and Cecelia insisted at the same time.
"Okay, the Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairy tale characters here." I told them.
"Yeah, and now they're trapped." Sam said.
I frowned. "Frozen in time. Stuck in San Francisco, Storybrooke, Maine. That's what you're going with." I said, my tone disbelieving.
"It's true!" All the kids told me.
I looked at them. "Then why doesn't everyone just leave?" I asked them.
"They can't - if they try, bad things will happen." Henry said.
Sam, Dawn and Celia nodded.
Someone called out to Henry, Dawn, Sam and Celia. A man with a dog approached us.
"Henry! Sam! Dan! Celia! What are you four doing here? It's late, is everything alright?" The man asked.
Sam patted the dog, I could tell she loved dogs.
"We're fine Archie." Dawn told him.
Archie looked at the kids, then his gaze travelled to me. "Who's this?" Archie said.
"Just someone trying to give these kids a ride home." I explained.
"She's my mum, Archie." Henry said.
"Oh, I see." Archie said.
"Do you know where they live? They won't tell me." I told him.
"Yeah, sure. Just, ah, right up on Mifflin Street. The Mayor's house is the biggest one on the block. Dawn, Celia and Samantha live a street down from Henry- in a Manor on 1329 Prescott Street."
"Archie, I hate it when people call me my full name, you should know that. We all have to come to you a lot."
I rolled my eyes. I've only known the kid a few hours but already I knew this was a typical Sam thing to do.
"Woah." I looked at the girls, "You guys live in a big house?"
They just nodded in response.
I looked at Henry. "And you're the mayor's kid?"
Henry shrugged and looked at the ground. "Maybe."
Archie looked at Dawn, Henry, Celia and Sam. "Hey, where you guys today? You missed your sessions."
"We forgot to tell you. The school took us on a fieldtrip." Henry lied.
Archie crouched down to the kid's level. "What did I say about lying? Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything." He said.
"Archie I know that Sam, Dawn, Celia, Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Buffy are my second cousins."
"Henry, that's not true and you know it. Dawn's mother and Celia's grandmother died."
"Oooookay, well I should really be getting them home." I said.
"Yeah, sure. Well, listen. Um. Have a good night and, uh, you be good, kids." And Archie walked off.
I watched as Archie retreated before I turned back to the kids.
"So that's your shrink?" I asked the kids.
"We're not crazy." Henry told me.
"I didn't say that. But he doesn't seem "cursed" to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you guys."
"He's the one who needs help. Because he doesn't know." Henry and Celia told me.
I looked at Henry, Celia, Sam and Dawn. "That he's a fairy tale character?" I said.
"None of them do. They don't remember who they are," Henry and Celia told me.
"Convenient." "Alright, I'll play. Who's he supposed to be?" I asked them.
"Jiminy Cricket," Dawn told me as we got back into the car.
"Right, the lying thing. Thought all of you're noses grew a little bit," I said as I got into my car.
"We're not Pinocchio!" Celia replied.
"Course you're not. Because that would be ridiculous," I told them.
"IT IS NOT," Sam replied.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
Patricia/ PATTY'S POV
Everyone is gathered around a table at the castle. Charming is standing up and is leading the discussion.
Charming slammed his hand down on the table.
"I say we fight!
"Fighting is a bad idea. Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything," Jiminy said.
"And how many wars has a clear conscience won?" Charming told him. "We need to take the Queen out before she can inflict her curse."
"Can we even trust Rumplestiltskin?" Doc asked Charming.
"I've sent my men into the forest." "The animals are abuzz with the Queen's plan. "This is going to happen unless we do something," Charming told us. .
"There's no point." "The future is written," Snow said.
"No. I refuse to believe that." "Good can't just lose- you and you're sisters are the Halliwell Sisters," Charming told us."
"Maybe it can," Paisley said."
"No." "No, not as long as we have each other- if you believe him about the curse, then you must believe him about our child." "She will be the saviour."
A noise is heard. Guards enter, dragging behind them a piece of a tree. The Blue Fairy also accompanies them.
"What the hell is this?" Charming asked the Blue Fairy.
"Our only hope of saving that child," Blue told us.
"A tree? Our fate rests on a tree?" "Let's get back to the fighting thing," Grumpy said.
"The tree is enchanted." "If fashioned into a vessel, it can ward off any curse." "Geppetto, can you build such a thing?" Blue said.
"Me and my boy, we can do it," Geppetto said, looking at Pinocchio.
"This will work." "We all must have faith," Blue told us.
Snow took Charming's hands in hers and looked up at him.
"There is, however, a catch." "The enchantment is, indeed, powerful, but all power has its limits." "And this tree can protect only one," Blue said."
–[Real World]–
SAM'S POV
Emmy, Dawn, Celia Henry and I arrive at the large, white house. We head through the gate and up the walkway.
"Please don't take me back there," Henry said to Emmy.
"I have to. I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you," Emmy said.
"I don't have parents. "Just a mom and she's evil," Henry said and I nod my head, yes.
Emmy turned around and faced us. She rolled her eyes. "Evil? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?"
"It's true, it's true," Henry, Dawn, Celia and I said.
"She is. "She doesn't love me." "She only pretends to," Henry said.
Emmy bent down to Henry's level. "Kid… I'm sure that's not true," she said as the door opened and Regina came running out towards us.
"Henry! Dawn! Celia! "Sam!" "Are you four okay?" What happened?" "Thank god, you're all okay." "Prue called and said you all went to Boston and that Emma brought you home."
Gina- that's my nickname for her hugs Henry then hugs Dawn, Celia and I.
"I found my real mom," Henry said, running past us into the house.
"Y-you're Henry's birth mother?" Gina said, stuttering.
Emmy looks at Gina. "Hi…"
"I'll just go…check on the lad. "Make sure he's alright," Graham said.
Gina forced a smile. "How would like a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted?"
"Got anything stronger?" Emmy asked her.
Dawn, Celia, Emmy, Gina and I went into the house. Gina turned to Dawn, Celia and I and told us to go to Henry's room and we happily obliged. We went up the stairs to see Henry talking to Graham.
REGINA'S POV
When I saw that they had gone up the stairs, I turned to Emma.
"How did they find me?" Emma asked.
"No idea. "When I adopted him, he was only three weeks old." "Records were sealed." "I was told the birth mother didn't want to have any contact," I told her.
"You were told right," Emma told me.
"And the father?" I asked her.
"There was one," Emma said.
"Do I need to be worried about him?" I asked her.
"Nope. "He doesn't even know," Emma said.
"Do I need to be worried about you, Miss Swan?" I asked.
"Absolutely not."
Sheriff Graham comes downstairs. "Madam Mayor, you can relax. "Other than being a tired little boy, Henry's fine." "Oh, and Samantha fell asleep on Henry's bed,"
I nodded. "Can you call Prue and tell her that the girls will stay the night with me."
Graham nodded and called Prue.
"I'm sorry they dragged you out of your life." "I really don't know what's gotten into them," I told Emma. We walked into my private room, where I shut the door.
" The Kid's are having a rough time. "It happens," Emma said."
"You have to understand." "Ever since I became mayor, balancing things has been tricky." "You have a job, I assume?" I asked her.
"Uh, I keep busy, yeah," Emma told me.
"Imagine having another one on top of it." "That's being a single mom." "So I push for order." "Am I strict?" "I suppose. "But I do it for his own good. "I want Henry to excel in life." "I don't think that makes me evil, do you?" I asked her.
"I'm sure he's just saying that because of the fairy tale thing," Emma told me.
"What fairy tale thing?" I asked her, confused. I had no idea."
"Oh, you know." "His book." "How he thinks everyone's a cartoon character from it." "Like his shrink is Jiminy Cricket." Emma told me. "And on top of that, he's gotten the girls to believe in it too."
"You know what?" "It's none of my business- he's your kid." "And I really should be heading back," Emma said.
"Of course," I told Emma, rising from my seat and letting Emma out.
EMMA'S POV
As I walk down the walkway to my car, I look up to the second story window and sees Henry, Dawn, Sam and Celia. Henry closes the curtain and turns off the light.
I drove along the road out of Storybrooke. I look over and saw Henry's book on the seat. "Sneaky bastards.
My eyes went back to the road and I see a wolf in front of her car. I swerve to avoid it and ended up hitting the Storybrooke entrance sign. My head fell on the steering wheel and knocked me out unconscious. The wolf howled.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
Snow White's POV
Geppetto and Pinocchio are seen carving the magical wardrobe out of the enchanted tree. In another part of the castle, Snow White stands on a balcony. Patricia and Paisley are beside her.
"I don't want to do this," I said.
"It has to be you," Charming told me.
I'm not leaving you," I said.
"It's the only way." "You'll go in there, and you'll be safe from the curse," Charming told me.
"He said it would be on her twenty-eighth birthday," I said.
"What's twenty eight years when you have eternal love?" "I have faith. "You'll save me as I did you," Charming told me, confidently.
They kiss and my sisters clapped. When we break apart, I looked distraught.
"What is it?" Charming and my sisters asked me.
"Baby…" "She's coming.
—–
Grumpy is watching the castle. He sees something and kicks Sleepy, who is sleeping next to him.
"Get up!" "Get up!" "Look," Grumpy said.
A dark blue smoke is seen in the distance. It rapidly covers the land and is progressing towards the castle. A dragon flies past. Thunder crashed. Grumpy frantically rings a bell."
"The curse!" "It's here!" Grumpy yells.
–[Real World]–
EMMA'S POV
My eyes open and I wake up and I realize that I'm in jail. "How did I get in here?" I looked around and saw another prisoner.
"What are you looking at, sister?" Leroy said.
"Hey, Leroy! Manners. "We have a guest." "So you are, uh, Henry's mother?" "How lovely for him to have you back in his life," Marco said.
I got up from the uncomfortable bed and walked over.
I put my hand on my forehead. I had a killer headache.
"Actually, I was just dropping him off," I told him.
"Don't blame ya." "They're all brats, who needs 'em," Leroy said.
: "Well, I'd give anything for one." "My wife and I, we tried for many years. "But, uh, he was not meant to be," Marco said."
Sheriff Graham enters the room and unlocks Leroy's cell. "Leroy!" "If I'm going to let you out, you need to behave. "Put on a smile and stay out of trouble," Graham told him."
Leroy smiles sarcastically, and leaves.
I leaned against the bars. "Seriously?"
Sheriff Graham looked at me. "Regina's drinks are a little stronger than we thought."
I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't drunk. There was a wolf standing in the middle of the road.
Sheriff Graham looked at me like I was crazy. "A wolf. Right."
Regina enters and calls for Sheriff Graham. "Graham!" "Henry's run away again." "I called Prue and told her that the little mastermind has taken Sam with him." Dawn and Celia were in their rooms, fast asleep." "We have to…" She stops. "What is she doing here?" "Do you know where he is?" she asked me. She looked at me.
"Honey, I haven't seen him since I dropped him and the girls off at your house." "And, I have a pretty good alibi," I told her. I waved my hands up.
"Yeah, well, he and Sam weren't in their room this morning." Regina explained.
I looked at Regina. "Did you try his friends?"
He and Sam don't really have any." "Their kind of a loner," Regina said."
"Every kid has friends." "Did you check his computer?" "If he and Sam are close to someone, they'd be emailing them," I told Regina.
"And you know this how?" Regina asked me.
"Finding people is what I do." "Here's an idea." "How about you guys let me out and I'll help you find him," I told them.
The three of them are in Henry's room. I am searching through Henry's computer. Dawn and Celia are beside me.
"Smart kid – cleared his inbox." "I'm smart too." "A little hard disk recovery utility I like to use…" I told them, holding up a memory stick.
"I'm a bit more old fashioned in my techniques- pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, that sort of thing," Graham said.
"You're on salary. "I get paid for delivery." "Pounding the pavement is not a luxury that I get. "Huh." "His receipt for a website – . It's expensive. He has a credit card?" I asked Regina.
"He's ten," Regina told me.
"Well, he used one." "Let's pull up a transaction record." "Mary Margaret Blanchard…" "Who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?" I asked, looking at Regina. Dawn and Celia giggled.
"Henry's teacher," Regina answered me.
There's a classroom full of younger kids. It appears to be an art class and they're making bird houses." The teacher is holding a bluebird.
As we build our bird houses, remember – what you're making is a home, not a cage." "The bird is free and will do what it will." "This is for them, not us." "They're loyal creatures. "If you love them and they love you, they will always find you." the class watched as Mary Margaret went to the window and the bird flew off into a birdhouse.
The bell rings.
"We'll pick this up after recess." "No running!"
The kids file out of the classroom, while Regina shoves through them. Dawn, Celia and I trail behind her.
"Miss Mills. "What are you doing here?" Mary Margaret Blanchard said.
"Where are my son and godaughter?" Regina demanded.
"Henry! I assumed he was home sick with you," Mary Margaret said. "And I assumed Sam was with her sisters."
"You think I'd be here if he was?" "Did you give them your credit card so they can find her?"
Mary Margaret looks at me, Dawn and Celia. "I'm sorry, who are you?"
"I'm his…" "I'm his…" I tried to say.
"The woman who gave him up for adoption," Regina said. "And these two girls standing beside the woman is Dawn and Celia, Sam's cousins." "They will be coming to this school. Dawn will be in you're class."
Mary Margaret looked through her bag.
"You don't know anything about this do you?" I said.
"No, unfortunately not," Mary Margaret said.
"Clever boy…" "I should never have given him that book." Mary Margaret told us.
"What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?"
"Just some old stories I gave him. "As you well know, Henry is a special boy." "So smart, so creative, and as you might be aware, lonely." "He needed it." "Sam did too."
"What he needs is a dose of reality." "This is a waste of time," Regina said, knocking over a stack of books.
"Have a nice trip back to Boston."
Dawn, Celia and I bent down to help Mary Margaret pick up the books.
Mary Margaret looks up at me. "Sorry to bother you.
"No it's… "It's okay," I told her."
"I hear this is partially my fault," Mary Margaret told me.
I looked at Mary Margaret. "How's a book supposed to help?"
"What do you think stories are for?" "These stories are classics. "There's a reason we all know them." "They're a way for us to deal with our world." "A world that doesn't always make sense." "See, Henry hasn't had the easiest life," Mary Margaret said.
"Yeah, she's kind of a hardass." I said.
Dawn and Celia giggled at my word.
"No, it's more than her- he's like any adopted child." "He wrestles with that most basic question they all inevitably face – why would anyone give me away?" …I am so sorry." "I'm so sorry. "I didn't mean in any way to judge you," Mary Margaret told me."
"It's okay.
"Look, I gave the book to him because I wanted Henry to have the most important thing anyone can have." Hope. "Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing." Mary Margaret said.
"You know where he and Sam are, don't you?" I told her.
"You might want to check his castle," Mary Margaret said.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
PATRICIA/ PATTY'S POV
Snow was screaming as she was in labor. Paisley and I were around her bedside, each of us squeezing her hand.
"I can't have this baby now!" Snow said.
"Doc, do something." "It's going to be okay." "The wardrobe is almost finished, just hold on," Charming told her.
The Evil Queen and her cohorts and seen traveling through the forest towards the castle." Geppetto enters the room. "It's ready."
Charming went to pick Snow up. "It's too late. We can't move her," Doc said.
"Push," Paisley told Snow.
Paisley and I's niece, Emma is born. Snow White is holding her, while the prince looks on.
"The wardrobe… It only takes one.
"Then our plan has failed. "At least we're together- you, me, Paisley, Patty and Emma," Charming said.
"No." "You have to take her." "Take the baby to the wardrobe," Snow said as Paisley and I held unto Emma's hand and kissed her forehead.
"Are you out of your mind?" Charming said.
"No, it's the only way." "You have to save her," Snow told him and we agreed.
"No, no, no." "You don't know what you're saying," Charming said.
"No, I do. "We have to believe that she'll come back for us." "We have to give her, her best chance," Snow said.
Snow and the Charming kiss Emma and Charming takes the baby. He looks at us before going with Emma. Snow, Paisley and I cry.
Charming takes a sword near the door and enters the hallway. He fends off two of the Queen's guards, but is injured himself, and heads toward where the wardrobe is kept. He places the baby inside the wardrobe and kisses her forehead.)
"Find us…" Charming whispers.
Two more guards enter the room. One appears to mortally wound the prince. The guards break open the wardrobe, but discover that it's empty and the baby is gone.
"Goodbye, Emma…" Snow, Paisley and I whisper.
–[Real World]–
HENRY'S POV
Sam and I are sitting on Sam and I's 'castle, which is actually a wooden castle-shaped slide at a playground. The playground is along the shore. We love it here. Emma walks up behind them, carrying my book. Dawn and Celia are next to her. They sit beside us. We were looking at the clock tower.
"You left this in my car," Emma said, handing the book to me.
"Emma, Dawn and Celia looked at the clock tower as well.
"Still hasn't moved, huh?" I asked them.
"Sam, Dawn and Celia and I were was hoping that when we brought you back, things would change here." "That the final battle would begin," I said.
"I'm not fighting any battles, kids," Emma told us.
"Yes, you are. "Because it's your destiny." "You're going to bring back the happy endings," Sam told her.
"Can you cut it with the book crap," Emma said.
"You don't have to be hostile," Dawn told Emma. "We know you like us – Henry, Sam, Celia and I can tell."
"You're just pushing us away because I make you feel guilty." "It's okay." "I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance," I said.
Emma was quite for a minute before answering us. "How do you know that?" Emma asked us.
"Because it's the same reason Snow White gave you away," Sam said.
"Listen to me, kids. "I'm not in any book." "I'm a real person." "And I'm no savior." "You guys were right about one thing, though." "Henry, I wanted you to have your best chance." "But it's not with me." "Come on, let's go." Emma said getting up.
"Please don't take me back there." "Just stay with Dawn, Celia, Sam and I for one week." "That's all we ask." "One week, and you'll see that we're not crazy."
Dawn, Celia and I followed Emma.
"I have to get you back to your mom."
"You don't know what it's like with her," I told her. "My life sucks!"
"Oh, you want to know what sucking is?" "Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway." "My parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital." "I ended up in the foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own so then they sent me back." Emma bent down to my level. "Look, your mom is trying her best." "I know it's hard and I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you."
"Your parents didn't leave you on the side of a freeway. "That's just where you came through," Dawn, Celia, Sam and I told her.
"What?" Emma asked us.
"The wardrobe." "When you went through the wardrobe you appeared in the street." "Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."
Emma chuckled. Emma: Sure they were. Come on, kids. Emma held unto Sammy's hands and navigated our way down the hill.
–[Fairy Tale World]–
PAISLEY'S POV
Patty, Snow and I got up and went to the room with the wardrobe. We see Charming on the ground, who looks to be dead.
"No, no! No! No! No! Please… "Please come back to me," Snow said.
She kisses him twice, attempting to revive him. The Evil Queen enters the room. "Oh, don't worry dear." "In a few moments, you won't remember you knew him, let alone loved him."
"Why did you do this?" Snow and I said. Patty just looks at Regina. "I forgive you- I see the good in you, like I always have- I held my nieces hand before Charming left for the wardrobe," Patty said. "I'll see her one day."
"Shut up," Snow and I told Patty.
"Because this is my happy ending."
The two guards enter. "The child?" Regina asked the guard.
"Gone. "It was in the wardrobe, and then it was gone. "It's nowhere to be found.
Regina looks at us. "Where is she?" she demanded.
"She got away…" "You're going to lose." "I know that now. "Good will always win."
We'll see about that," Regina said.
The ceiling breaks apart. A twister starts to form in the room.
"Where are we going?" Snow and Paisley asked her.
"Somewhere horrible. "Absolutely horrible." "A place where the only happy ending will be mine." Regina said, happily.
–[Real World]–
EMMA'S POV
Regina opened the door as I brought Henry back to Regina. I had dropped the girls off at Prue and their house was big. Henry runs past me and into the house, going upstairs. Regina walked up to me. "Thank you.
Emma: No problem.
He's seemed to have taken quite a shine to you," Regina said.
"You know what's kind of crazy?" "Yesterday was my birthday and when I blew out the candle on this cupcake I bought myself, I actually made a wish." "That I didn't have to be alone on my birthday- and then, Henry, Sam, Dawn and Celia showed up," I said.
"I hope there's no misunderstanding here," Regina told me.
"I'm sorry?" I asked her.
"Don't mistake all this as invitation back into his life."
"Oh…" I said.
"Miss Swan, you made a decision ten years ago. "And in the last decade, while you've been… "Well, who knows what you've been doing." "I've changed every diaper." "Soothed every fever." "Endured every tantrum." "You may have given birth to him, but he is my son," Regina said.
"I was not…" I started, but Regina cuts me off.
"No!" "You don't get to speak." "You don't get to do anything." "You gave up that right when you tossed him away." Regina got into my face. "Do you know what a closed adoption is?" "It's what you asked for." "You have no legal right to Henry and you're going to be held to that." "So, I suggest you get in your car, and you leave this town." "Because if you don't, I will destroy you if it is the last thing I do." "Goodbye, Miss Swan."
(Regina heads back to the house, but I call after her.
"Do you love him?" I asked her, looking seriously at her.
Regina turned around. "Excuse me?"
"Henry. "Do you love him?"
"Of course I love him," Regina told me.
Regina goes back into the house. Henry is pretending to be asleep as she steals the book from Henry's room. She holds the book as she stares into a mirror looking angry.
—–
Mary Margaret is volunteering at a hospital. She puts vases of flowers next to patients' beds. She puts one next to a comatose patient, named 'John Doe', who is revealed to be Prince Charming. Elsewhere, Henry looks out the window of his room at the clock tower, which still hasn't changed. Sam, Dawn, and Celia look out their windows as well, at the Manor, looking at the clock. Meanwhile, I head to Granny's Bed and Breakfast. Inside, Granny and Ruby are arguing.
"You're out all night, and now you're going out again.
"I should have moved to Boston," Ruby says.
"I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the eastern seaboard.
I looked at the elderly woman. "Excuse me?" "I'd like a room.
Granny: "Really?" Ruby walks back in. "Would you like a forest view or a square view?" "Normally, there's an upgrade fee for the square but, as friends do, I'll wave it," Granny told me.
"Square is fine," I told her.
"Now, what's the name?" Granny asked me.
"Swan. "Emma Swan," I told Granny.
A man, Mr. Gold, has entered the inn, but no one has noticed until he speaks.
"Emma. What a lovely name.
I looked at him. "Thanks.
Granny passes Mr. Gold a roll of bills. "It's all here."
"Yes, yes, of course it is, dear. "Thank you. "You enjoy your stay…" Emma," Mr. Gold said.
Mr. Gold exits the inn.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"Mr. Gold. He owns this place," Ruby said.
"The inn?" I said.
"No, the town." "So, how long will you be with us?"
"A week. "Just a week," I said.
"Great," Granny told me..
Granny takes a key from the wall and hands it to me.
"Welcome to Storybrooke," Granny told me.
—–
Henry, Sam, Dawn and Celia are still watching the clock tower. When Emma takes the room key, the clock starts moving. They smiled.