Hello readers,

The long-awaited chapter is now here. Sorry about the delay. The next chapter will be up sooner than you think.

As Archimedes took flight from the trunk of the car. Charming heard the explosion of the cage falling apart from the other side of the car. He turned to Ruby and Grumpy yelling, "Stay back." He got a bad feeling from where he stood holding the fragile girl in his arms. The distance to get to Rumpelstiltskin now looked way off. He could only watch from where he stood and hearing the threat from Zelena. Everything she said was a danger to them of the position of where they stood. Any move he made with the girl would put them in complete danger. How to get out of this area where he stood? With a frustrated sound from his mouth. He lifted the girl higher in his arms. Wonder if I should make a dash towards in front of him. Then he saw the car was being lifted up from Zelena. Just great. I go to a safe haven to an absolute dangerous situation. All he could do was wait.

Ruby and Grumpy hearing the command from Charming backed up from the car to a safe position in the street.

As the white wolf had come charging down the street. Ruby turned to the new threat. Ready to pounce. She watched as the wolf change into an old man with a cane who was focused on the people in front of him. She stalked behind him. Before she leaped to encounter him. She saw the owl land on Rumpelstiltskin's arm. She hesitated to see what would happen.

As the words of the old man exited his mouth. She changed tactic and walked up beside him to his right to give assistance.

Grumpy realizing the dangerous surroundings that Charming was in followed Ruby to see if they could attack Zelena from behind. He heard and followed the same example except he came on the left of the man.

"Actually he's mine," Merlin said to the witch in front of him. He neither glanced to his left or right. He knew they were there. Interesting a dwarf and a lycan in the mist of this battle. More people to get to know about.

As he had come forward he had watched Archimedes landing on the powerful sorcerer's arm. So this must be Rumpelstiltskin. The new leader of the gatekeeper stood there with no fear but was ready to strike like a cobra. His stance was defensive but showed no fear on his face. This man is definitely not a coward. In his visions he had watched as the man come from being a shy spinner to the Dark One. He didn't see a monster but a man who saw the good and the bad in everyone. He balanced everything while being the Dark One in his deals. If you broke a deal then you paid the price of the magic yet good had emerged like ending the Ogre Wars and assisting people over the years.

Everyone saw a villain. He saw a hero come forward when everyone was in danger. Again he sees it now. Remembering Rumpelstiltskin stepping on the man who he made into a snail for injuring his son and the maid he killed for seeing his dagger. Those were uncalled for but it took time for the spinner to emerge to balance the Dark One. Unlike most seers his visions were clear and on point with no broken pieces. So with that balance makes him the perfect leader.

Ah Zelena his thoughts sad of the powerful sorcerer in front of him. She had potential to be so much more but her envy and jealousy has clouded her mind making her the ultimate evil for everyone. He saw her as a child till she was full-grown and continued of killing everyone here today with the exception of the young child in Prince Charming's arms. He hated potential like her to go to waste. Yet this must be done. You can't change destiny of a person if they won't try. She had her chance in OZ. She choose her path. With these thoughts she must be imprisoned for all time.

"Who are you?" Zelena asked the strange man as she turned around. She had never felt fear until now. This strange old man in front of him oozed with power. A shiver went up her spine. This is not a child she was facing. She gulped as she stood against him. With him in the picture she can't control the situation.

Merlin with a kind smile within in his beard. Stating, "My name is no matter at this point dear Zelena. The question will be is what action are you going to take going forward at this moment in time?"

"What do you mean?" Zelena answered in confusion.

Loving to throw off his opponents with encryption. He answers, "Each individual's destiny interweaving invisibly with the next, fashioning the beautiful and terrifying tapestries of our lives, shaping our passions and our destinies. Extractions of such strange and expected prices, demanding that in order for one person to flourish, another must perish."

Taking a challenged step forward to her with his cane. His voice changed to a firm one, "You my dear must perish or at least be imprisoned for all time so that the destinies of the gatekeepers are to be reborn."

"Really old man," Zelena smirking at him with her eyes slitting of the challenge.

Archimedes hearing the conversation from Merlin made him laugh inside his head that the witch could go against Merlin. Knowing that his old friend was taunting the witch. He turned this head with his wings down to gaze at Rumpelstiltskin.

"Be prepared to stop the car," He said looking into the face of man holding him. Once Rumpelstiltskin nodded. He bobbed his owl head in return and then let go to fly upwards to soar towards Lumiere down the road.

As Rumpelstiltskin watched the brown owl flying away from him. He had been in many realms to search of power to cross realms to this land of no magic. Yet he never ran across an owl that could talk. Rubbing his hands together of to loosen the tension in them. He silently waited in preparation to ensure that the car came nowhere near his daughter and Charming. He didn't have to wait long.

Zelena could no longer wait to see the outcome of the threat. For she had not one but two people surrounding her. Using her magic with a push of desperation. She slammed the car into the building.

The red 4 door Ford car never even near the brick building. All you could hear was metal scraping with windows breaking and crashing onto the ground. It was stopped by Rumpelstliskin who had lifted his arms to make a magical barrier.

Charming who was standing by the building hearing everything had closed his eyes in preparation of the car hitting them. Earshot of hearing the loud sounds of the car smashed against the barrier. Made him cringe inside. Opening his eyes with a gasp of surprise to see the destruction of the car only a foot away from him. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth. He looked up to see Rumpelstiltskin was walking towards him with Belle following him from behind. He glanced then at Zelena and the old man. This must be Merlin that Rumbella had foretold to come. The old man was a skinny fella but even without magic he could feel the power from the ground. Without a doubt he was strong but can he stop Zelena and help Regina. He saw Regina attacking everyone and he questioned her sanity. Yet it was unlike her to attack everyone after all she had overcome.

Rumpelstiltskin came up onto Charming.

"How is she?" he asked touching his daughter's head to close the bleeding above the eye brow with his magic.

"Other than the bleeding you see she hasn't woken up," Charming replied with concern.

"Allow me," Rumpelstiltskin stated as he closed his eyes. Summoning his blue-white magic from his fingertips over the girl's body from head to her toes. Knitting the abrasions and removing the bruises from the impact she sustained from hitting the car. He then called upon her from the bridge of telepathy that she established with him.

"Rumbella answer me girl," he demanded with conviction.

Rumbella was in a sea of pain. Washing as the pain flowed through her seeing bright lights of rainbow colors and then blackness. She could hear the sounds of destruction surround her but couldn't see. As if in a limbo land of darkness floating away. Then she felt the light magic enter her healing the wounds that ached on her body. As the aches disappeared she finally heard her father call her. Got to tell him not to call her a girl. Always hated being called that by Aunt Regina. Slowly her eyes opened to see his face gazing at her with the same amber eyes as hers.

She croaked out to him, "Don't call me a girl, Papa!"

His amber eyes just gleamed at her with his lips slowly going upward into a smile for her. She frowned at him but then thought better of it. She smiled at him instead. Turning her head to see why she was in someone's arms. Seeing Charming had a grin on his face. Grimacing of being in the spotlight. She wiggled wanting to be put down. As she landed on her feet getting her bearings she looked up to see Zelena facing off to an old man. Didn't have to be told who that was. Neal was right. He came. She held her breath to watch the scene unfold in front of them.

Zelena circled the old man with a slow walk with a smirk on her face. She may not win this battle but she could win the war. Continued watching the man like a hawk ready to pounce. It's all about timing. Since I can't get what I want. I will get that bookworm instead. That will knock out the gatekeeper in the picture. Besides I can always go to another realm to regroup my pets. As for my dear sister well she will be my eyes and ears till next time. This old man may try to interfere but she was sure she had advantage with the heart inside of her.

He didn't move from where he stood. His blue eyes just watched as the witch glided from one spot to another. Ah dear Zelena I can hear your thoughts. Coming from the bloodline of a fairy. He was one of the most powerful beings in Sidhe Magic. He could hear her thoughts as she tried to distract him with her walking. Knowing he was not the target just made him sigh of such foolishness of this young witch.

"Young Zelena life's lessons must sometimes be learned at a terrible cost," He quoted to her leaning on his cane. He continued saying, "Be careful of the choice you make. Some choices are easy. Some stay with you forever."

"I know what choice I'm making old man," She retorted back to him with a wicked smile.

"You're a clever woman, Zelena. But there is much you have yet to learn," he responded back to her.

"Indeed!" Zelena sarcastically says to him. Lifting her hand to throw magic not at him but towards Belle who was standing next to Rumpelstiltskin.

"So be it!" He finalized from her action, "Alakazam!" Pounding his cane down and waving with his left hand he snatched the fire-ball that had left Zelena's hand snuffing it out without blinking his eyes. The light blue eyes then changed to reddish glow as he muttered a spell in an old ancient language.

Zelena's body had frozen on the spot. Walking forward he reached her left side towards the heart.

"You made your choice young one," he muttered into her mind. Looking into her shocked face. His hand reach into her breast for the heart beating there. With a squishing sound his hand exited with the heart of Regina's in his hand. The heart which once was half black and red was a glowing solid red with no darkness inside. With a swirl of his feet he walked around her towards the chained body of Regina down the street.

Lumiere released the white bubble of protection surrounding the group he was protecting after seeing Merlin arriving. Knowing how his master did not want interference when doing using such a powerful rich magic on Zelena. He waited.

As he watched. Archimedes flew from the car towards him. Lifting his arm for the wise owl to land. Still watching as Zelena was being overpowered with a swift movement from Merlin. He just shook his head of the action that the witch did. Knowing his master had probably gave her a warning and she didn't heed him.

He turned his gaze to the owl on his arm. Archimedes looks at him with a knowing look.

"What?" He asked.

"You let that young witch enchant you into a candle!" He taunted the man.

"Don't start now Archimedes," He commented back to the owl.

The crackling of the bird from his mouth sounded like laughter. With a wretched swing of his arm in the air. He stated, "Get off me you dang bird!"

The bird flew up in the air finally dove to the ground. Landing on the concrete walking towards Regina still laughing at Lumiere with glee of his shaking feathers that were ruffling from his body.

Henry who was sitting on the ground next to his adoptive mom just watched as the bird came closer. He was intrigued of the brown talking owl. Never seeing one this up close especially one that could actually talk. Even he had a sense of humor to understand that Lumiere got handed by a girl.

"Hello truest believer," Archimedes acknowledging him when he approached the laughter disappearing.

"Hi," Henry answered back to him with excitement, "Are you from the Enchanted Forest?"

The owl blinked his eyes at that question and shook his body in a shiver. Sarcastically saying, "Never that forsaken place young on."

"Oh!" Henry voice a little disappointed.

"However I am from the realm of The Land Time Forgot," he stated with a proud voice, "A much more magical place." He lowered his voice snickering, "More powerful realm than that place."

"Another realm?" Henry saying to himself eyes opened more wide with wonder. He always wanted to go to the Enchanted Forest to be with his family. Since he was born here he couldn't like the last time due to the curse. It was a disappointment but he understood. Hopefully now he could see this owl and Merlin showing up. He knew that was Merlin going against the witch. Rumbella foretold it and he arrived. He was excited of the trip coming but looking down seeing his mom in the chains. He was worried for her. He didn't want her harm in any way. He needed her just as much as his other mom.

"You got to be kidding me!" Emma saying out loud. Her attention on the talking owl next to Henry.

Henry and Archimedes both turned looking at her. She was sitting on the ground leaning back against Hook's knee that was bent down and holding her shoulders with his hook. His other leg was on the ground with the sword next to him on the ground. It was a protective stance he was in case he needed to fight. His gaze however was focus on the scene unfold down the road. Not paying any mind to the bird talking.

Hook was listening with a half ear. Personally he was not shocked about the talking bird. Traveling from realm to another you see many things in your lifetime. The realm the bird state has never been found although he has heard of it. It was said the land was so beautiful that you could stay there forever. Never worrying about anything due to all things were magical from the soil to the top of a tree. No evil lived there due to the land was of peace. If evil entered the realm it destroyed it or sent the darkness from the land. Personally it's a load of crock in his mind. Hearing that little tiny bit of information. He wonders if the stories are true.

"I mean really a talking owl?" Emma gasping out of breath to say the words. She was bone tired. Still dizzy using most of her magic. Her head is still trying to grasp of actually seeing a bird talking to them. Nowhere in the fairy tales tell about a bird talking to people.

"A wise owl if you must know savior," Archimedes retorted with a disapproval stare at her. If you could call it a stare Emma saying to herself. Looked more like a predator staring at her and she was bait to be eaten.

Lumiere turned to view the group next to him. Seeing Archimedes trying to intimidate the savior/gatekeeper. He only could shake his head at the old bird. Always trying to be Mr. Know-It-All in everything. Time to put him in his place till we take care of this witch. His French accent going sharp. "Archimedes leave the woman alone. We got more pressing business to handle."

The only sound from the bird was a Humph. As his wings spread apart wide to stretch then slowly his feathers closed down onto his body. With his talons he makes a half circle taking baby steps to towards Regina's body. Nearing her head he cocked his head from left to right looking into her face blinking his eyes at her.

"I know you can hear me sorcerer," his voice gentle for the first time arriving here, "Not to worry your heart will be returned to you soon. No harm will come to your child sleeping inside of you."

Regina who was frozen in the chains. Felt so defeated as her sister had taken over her body. She fought but it was like she was not there. A hellish feeling to be controlled. She raged, snarled and screamed at Zelena throughout the ordeal. Her sister only laughed continuing on with the fireballs at Rumple and Belle. Then she felt Emma's magic hit her a relief came over her. Finally Ms. Swan's magic was released. About time. She started at that point to laugh in madness at her sister who could only hear her. She taunted her sister still as Merlin took control of her. Yet when the bird came into her view of its head peering down at her and spoke those words. Her body reflects started to return to her. A lone tear drop fell from her face landing onto her cheek.

A child she reflects to herself. She didn't think on the tiny seed in her womb until now. Always wanted a child. After taking on so many lovers after her marriage to Snow White's father she never thought she would have a chance. She didn't know until Zelena pointed that out to Rumple. It was a fear she knows all too well as a mother and seeing Rumple's face. Raising and loving Henry as she did like any mother she knew he would choose his daughter but if a chance was made to save her he would. Knowing no matter the situation of his deals he never harmed children let alone a pregnant woman. Having to take lives in the past but never towards children.

A kind voice entered her mind surprising her.

"Hello Regina," Merlin calmly says to her in her mind. While walking down the concrete road to her.

"Who are you?" she asks slowly.

"You know who I am child," Merlin replied.

"Merlin!" She states with an astonishment in her voice.

"Right on all counts child," He chuckled at her in her mind. Slowly he sobered to state as he came upon her, "Now it's time to return your heart where it belongs."

Archimedes slowly backed away as he felt his friend's magic behind him as he waltzed down the street. He watched as Merlin came closer walking with the long cane lifting it high. His magic lifting her up from the ground to remove the huge chains surrounding her body. The chains slowly moved onto the concrete with a sound of clatter as it dropped to the ground. Moving forward he slowly levitated her away from the chains back onto the ground towards him. It was done so quickly to see someone who did magic that fast in front of them with so much ease.

Arriving to her body he knelt down on one knee and slowly placed the beating heart back into Regina's body.

She gasped a breath of air as the heart was returned back to her. She blinked at the old man with kind light blue eyes who was gazing at her. Her hands came up onto her chest to massage the spot of the organ which now was beating in her body.

"Welcome back," Merlin voiced with his lips going upwards into a smile emerging on his face.

"Mom!" Henry spoke with a relief crawling over to her grabbing onto her left shoulder with one hand while the other clasped one of her hands on her chest.

Regina turned to the sound of Henry's voice while gripping his hand. She reached up with the other to touch his face. A sigh of relief escaped from her breath before she muttered, "Henry."

When she saw Henry out in the opening earlier. Her fear of losing him again had escalated during that time period. If she had to die to protect him she would have with no second thoughts about it. Even if the cost was herself and her unborn child. Seeing his face of concern in front of her. She had no regrets. He may not be of her blood but he was her son.

"You okay," Henry asked her as he helped assist her into a sitting position.

"Give me a minute," Regina said taking a deep breath. She used up a lot of magic against Rumpelstiltskin's magic barrier. Her magic sapped her strength. As she sat up seeing Emma was like her. Tapped out. A small grin escaped her lips. Now she know how it feels. Whoo in her mind. Overcoming the dizziness.

She turning her head to look at Henry to tell she was alright. She saw Robin's figure over his shoulder laying next to the car from across the street not moving. She gasped with concern. Gazing at her son. She stated, "Get me up."

"Are you sure Mom?" Henry answered her, " You look beat."

Shaking her head at him. "Don't matter help me up."

Henry stood up and assisted her onto her feet. She stumbled for a moment taking a breath. Yet her gaze still on the man who was a few feet away from them. She took a step to get to him. Almost falling down had not Henry put his shoulder under her arm to support her.

Seeing the direction she wanted to go. He understood and helped her to her destination.

Merlin had already stood up as Regina got into a sitting position. He knew she would be fine. Inspecting his surroundings. He was amazed at the cars and buildings. Like a little village but modern since he was last here. How fast the time has flown since then. Gathering his thoughts again knowing it is not over yet. Turning his gaze to his apprentice standing beside him.

"Hello Lumiere," Merlin smiling at him with his eyes crinkling in his face.

"Hello Master," Lumiere responding back to him nodding his head with respect.

"Enough of that," Merlin chuckling at him, "This is modern times and besides you are no longer a pupil. We will use our names. While I am taking care of Zelena. Be kind to help Regina and heal Robin Hood over there."

"Alright Merlin," Lumiere beamed of receiving the honor of no longer being an apprentice. He turned and walked over to help the father of the little boy he has watched over the years. His steps were with confidence as he strolled to the peopled.

Merlin then turned to the savior and Hook. Hook had also assisted Emma up at her request. She had a grip on his arm to get her balance.

"Excuse me Savior and Captain Jones," Merlin stated with a frown, "As I have to deal with Zelena."

"Be my guest," Emma said back to him with satisfy look with her hands waving him on his way.

Grumpy had watched the old man take out Zelena with such ease. He didn't know the guy but dang he did it with style.

Turning to Red in her wolf form as Merlin walked away with a heart in his hand.

"Hey sister?" Grumpy whistling to the wolf. The wolf looked up him.

Grumpy was smiling and pointed to the witch that was frozen in front of them.

"Look what we got," He stated swinging his axe in a swirl with expertise, "What do you say we guard the ugly witch."

The wolf responded with a grin if you can call it one. Its mouth open with huge canines of its tongue laying out of its mouth. Tail wagging with a small bark to the response. Red moved forward stalking the witch with a growl of slow steps. Stopping only two feet away staring at the witch with a stance saying you move you are dead.

Grumpy came up beside her with his axe in his arms. Lifting the axe up and down in anticipation of using it if need be. Hearing walking steps behind him. He turned his head seeing Charming, Rumbella, Rumpelstiltskin and Belle walking towards them.

He gazed at Charming asking, "What do we do with this hag?"

Charming came up putting his hand on Grumpy's left shoulder responding, " We wait till he returns." Nodding to the old man down the street working on Regina.

"Alright," Grumpy muttering to the group.

"Oh I know what I want to do to the dearie," Rumpelstiltskin smirking with an evil glare from his eyes gazing at Zelena. He could see the fear in the witch's eyes seeing she is finally defeated.

"No Papa," Rumbella twisting her body in front of him grasping his right arm, "I didn't come all this way for you to kill her. I have more right to do so but it will not be worth it. Trust me."

Belle was holding onto Rumple's arm when Rumbella spoke. Feeling the tension in his body. Knowing the rage he had the witch. Still she waited for him to make his decision. Praying he wanted to change especially for her. For a brief moment she thought he wouldn't then the anger in his body was gone as he gazed at the child.

His right arm reached up to move a twirl of hair out of Rumbella's face.

"Alright," he grimaced the words out of his mouth.

"You are not killing her, Deal?" Rumbella said with a determined look on her face of her right hand out in front of her. Knowing he doesn't break deals. She was going to make sure he promised.

Belle closed her eyes putting her head down leaning against him with a small grin to her face. Rubbing his arm since his body got stiff of that question.

Rumpelstiltskin was not very happy having to make this kind of deal with his daughter. He made a promise to his son to kill this witch but how can you choose between two children. Sighing with surrender. His right hand reached out to shake her hand on the deal.

"Deal," he answered.

After shaking his daughter's hand he glanced down at Belle on his arm seeing the grin. I can't believe I am being controlled by women. Rumpelstiltskin commented to himself. Well at least they were his women. His. Now that was great thought.

Moving his left arm to get Belle's attention. She looked up at him.

"Now I know where she gets her deals from hmm dear," he says to her smirking. She only smiled and patted his chest with her left hand.

Belle replying, "I am sure she won't always with you around."

A gruff sound emerged from his mouth yet he removed his arm from her grip. Placing his left arm around her holding her close. He kissed the top of her head. Remarking near her ear, "God I hope not!" Belle gave him a hug for that remark.

The group waited patiently for Merlin to return to them.

Up Next

See what Merlin wants to do with Zelena?

How Robin is doing?

Something is happening to Snow?

Can you guess?

Stay tuned...