Emma wakes to find herself shackled with a shock collar suffocating her neck, containing a higher voltage then what any realm carries. Time between realms is not consistent and Narnia seems to run quicker than most. With her heart in another realm Emma's strength is greatly weaken but she is still stubborn against The Lion and she holds on for a moment of strength so she can escape her cage.
Days becomes weeks though she losses count of the time that is passing. The day has finally come where she feels the strength of her heart, and she draws from that strength to gather the magic that is needed to release the shackles digging into her skin, her wrist and ankles finally free with a blast of magic, and she disappears not waiting around for she is unsure of the amount of time she has.
Emma doesn't just disappear from her tormenter, she disappears from Narnia to rejoin the council of guardians and plan the days to come. She travels the portals to the never-name/never speak-of realms, to gather other guardian for the days of war for the end is approaching.
"What are we doing here? What about Emma? We can't leave her with him!" Regina says quickly once appearing in the underworld, though not an area they are familiar with.
"I am sorry, but it is too late to turn back. A promise once we are finished here I shall return, but we must hurry for time moves slow here and quick in Narnia, much time has already passed." Sarah says though Henry tells her that's not good enough.
Just then they all step on what feels like a large scale and Rumple points out for them not to move.
A tall brunette with long black hair approaches them, "no need to fear, it is only a scale to measure your hearts," she tells them softly, "I am Ma'at, goddess of Egypt and weightier of hearts on their way to 'their afterlife', though none of you are dead," she tells them. "Sarah, what a surprise," Sarah hands Ma'at the bag that beyond to Emma telling her that it should do for payment to pass, but Ma'at not paying attention turns back to the group, pointing to the Charmings she mentions that they share a heart, and Henry has the heart of the truest believe, Rumple's is deceiving, and Regina's, "that is strange dear, it seems as though a heart was dip in your ashes, absorbing it then placed in your chest, oh and you have a full heart of a thieve," she says to Robin. Smirking she stands back, now opening the small bag Sarah gave her.
"She said it would do, that you would understand," Sarah tells her softly ignoring the group. Everyone stops talking and turns to see why the goddess is upset.
"I can't accept this,"
"Yes you can, and you will. She wants nothing to do with it, she rather it be used to save her family," Sarah tells her.
Ma'at ponders for a moment but Sarah informs her that time is wasting so she studies the pieces of bones and studies Regina. She walks up to her and tells her to stand still, after handing Sarah the bag she places one hand on Regina's forehead and one on her chest above her breast, a blast of blue white light glimmers from her hands and Regina lands on the floor hand over her chest panting and looking shocked. Henry and Robin run to her but Henry pushes Robin away knocking him down.
Henry ask his mom if she is alright and helps her stand, when Robin gets up and walks over he yells that he has done his share in hurting her and to stand back.
"I am sorry but I had to make it seem like your heart was in Narnia, you are fine, nothing damaging, but.." Ma'at stops.
"But what?"ask Sarah, "your job is to protect those who come your way, not make them feel pain," she says with a bit of anger.
"I did what I had to, to provide a strength boost to Emma Swan. I can't do the same as all you; I can't just wait and do nothing, while she sits shackled in a cage, again. This war needs to be bought to an end Sarah, and you know she is the best person to lead. The day will come when the Lion dies and the Swan has to decide if she wants to survive him again," she says softly.
"She will survive," Henry says proudly, "she is a survivor."
"Yeah, she is. You know I first met her before she became a guardian, before she even found the portal to Narnia. Sadly I met her when she died, ten years old and she wanted to live, her only reason was to show them they couldn't break her, well to their standers anyway. But this time is different, she is cursed, in full, and she willingly gave up her whole heart to someone she believes cannot love her, but she did it anyway because for years it beyond to her and all she wants is for you and your mother to be alive and happy, even if it is with a thief who does nothing but hurt her, because that is who your mother wants."
"You have no filter," Rumple states.
"I do not require one," she says glaring at him. "This time for her she most likely will survive and she will do what she needs to do, but that is it. She doesn't want to have to survive this again, and she believes everyone to be better off and that no one could love her enough to stay by her side and help her when this is over. I'm sorry but the outcome does not look good. You all must decide which realm you are going."
"We want to help our daughter," the Charmings say together.
"I'm in too, not turning back!" Henry says, looking at Rumple wondering what he will choose.
"Okay me too, I admit I have no problem with Ms. Swan and she is a better sheriff.
"I want to go back to Storybrook and be with my kids, Regina lets go," Robin says looking pleading at her.
"No! In no way am I leaving Emma willingly to battle her past and worst foster brother. You haven't seen her back or the look in her eyes when we were leaving, I am all for helping her, and you have done nothing but lie to me, so go. You are of no use to us."
Sarah looks at Regina and gently tells her, "you must be careful on this journey, if you die so does she. So guard yourself as though you are protecting her, and here," she hands over the bag, "when the time comes."
"Although I am glad of the outcome of your decisions, Emma will not be so you five must hide, and you are leaving," Ma'at says Robin walks through a transparent door and lands in Storybrook. "For all of you who are staying come with me until I can safely send you."
"But wouldn't it be easier to just send us with Emma, clearly she will understand," Snow says.
"She rather protects you herself by sending you off away from the chaos," Sarah says nodding to Ma'at to take the group of misfits.
Once the group is away but in viewing distance a portal opens and a tall blonde man walks through, Sarah calls out to him, calling him Timmy and saying she thought he was dead, he smiles at her and holds out his hand in front of the portal. Emma takes is hand and steps through. she has a long black jacket covering her skin, the jacket is lined in a deep red, tracing her curves. She has a sword strap to her waist and one on her back.
"Hello Sarah, I see you are done here," Emma says, "good. The council wants you back; the end of the war is approaching."
"How much time has passed for you?" Sarah asks softly.
"Two years dear, give a few months or so. Now please," Emma says guiding her to the portal, "I rather this war come to an end and the council will need you both when I 'depart'," she says with a gentle smile as if leaving them and dying should be taken lightly.
The three of them step into the portal and the group of misfits come out wanting to follow but Ma'at stops them telling them that only guardians can go unless requested and that they will be escorted safely through the realms.
After five minutes of waiting Athena shows up to take them to Narnia. She looks at Regina and smiles, "I honestly believe if anyone can help save her it is you, but she is stubborn so it may take persistent," Regina thanks her and they walk through another secret portal, worried about how much time has passed again and rather or not if they are too late.