The others began to get settled and make camp since The Wicked Witch was going to keep them from settling into The Evil Queen's castle for now. The Flying Monkey from before soon flew into the private chamber that The Wicked Witch made herself home in.
"Did you get what I need?" The Wicked Witch asked her monkey minion.
The Flying Monkey screeched in reply.
"Show me." The Wicked Witch soon demanded.
The creature then held up his claw to show her.
"That's her blood?" The Wicked Witch asked eagerly. "The Queen's?"
The Flying Monkey nodded in response.
"Lovely," The Wicked Witch approved as she picked up a small bottle and the monkey poured the blood in. "Now, I shall get my revenge."
The Flying Monkey then screeched at her.
"Of course, I will. The Queen may be evil, but I'm wicked," The Wicked Witch replied as she looked at herself in the mirror with a dark smile. "And wicked always wins~"
The Flying Monkey then screeched and began to add in something.
"What's that?" The Wicked Witch asked. "The Queen has her own spawn out there?"
The Flying Monkey screeched and nodded.
"Interesting~" The Wicked Witch smirked. "Perhaps this spawn of The Queen's should meet me and that might help bring The Queen over to me~"
The Flying Monkey then screeched a bit more.
"Yes, yes, all in good time, but now I should look my best to make an entrance," The Wicked Witch replied. "Let's see what The Queen has in her wardrobe, shall we?"
The Flying Monkey grinned darkly at that as he hobbled in to follow her.
The Wicked Witch hummed to herself as she began to look through Regina's jewelry, passing by a necklace that had a red ruby on it shaped like a heart. "Look at all her things. Onyx, black pearl... diamond," she then noted before looking into the mirror to see how the earrings with red jewels looked on herself. "A family could live off what this is worth~" she then smirked before dropping the earring back into the jewelry box. "She just left it all behind." she then added before walking over to The Evil Queen's wardrobe.
The Flying Monkey looked at her, making some noises.
"Such pretty things. All wasted on her~" The Wicked Witch noted as she opened the wardrobe and searched through the outfits; picking out a dress. "Ahh. Now, this could work," she said before walking to the mirror with the dress as green smoke enveloped her and the smoke then cleared, showing that she was now wearing the dress and studying herself in the mirror. "Now, that's how you wear a dress." she said before turning her head to the Flying Monkey.
The creature soon looked at her with a look of admiration.
"I know I look lovely," The Wicked Witch soon told him. "Now go find the Evil Queen and let her know that I'm here, snatch that spawn of hers if you can. And no... there's no need to be gentle." she then commanded the primate.
The Flying Monkey then nodded and flew away.
Snow White, the group, and their descendants soon made their way across the land. The Evil Queen stopped and looked at her former palace in the distance.
"Seems like old times, doesn't it?" Red asked as she came beside Snow with a small smile. "Except, not running from Regina, but with her."
"She's changed," Snow remarked. "I have to believe for the better."
"I hope it sticks," Red nodded. "But regardless, she doesn't look too good. If she hadn't tried to hurt us so many times, I might be worried about her." she then added.
"I'll talk to her." Snow said before walking away suddenly.
Red looked soft at that before looking at Kiara who wore a pale orange/tan dress and appeared to have a necklace around her neck that resembled a lion's paw.
"This doesn't change anything, does it?" Kiara asked Red.
"Of course not," Red reassured her. "You're still my little sister even if you are a lion and I'm a wolf. After all, Simba and Nala trusted Granny to look after you like she did for me ever since I was a baby and she saved me from my vengeful mother."
"I love you, Ruby." Kiara said softly.
"My name isn't Ruby anymore." Red then reminded Kiara.
"Then what is your name?" Kiara asked out of confusion.
"Red Riding Hood, but you can call me Red," Red explained with a small smile. "I'm starting to remember my old friend, Violet Roberts. She was the first one who ever called me Red because I started wearing this cloak that Granny got for me." she then added.
Kiara then walked over and hugged Red's legs. "I love you, Red," she then said with a small smile. "You're still my sister even if I'm a lion and you're a wolf."
"Exactly, Kiki," Red nodded as she hugged Kiara back. "Maybe we'll even see you transform into a lion cub while I look after you as a grown wolf."
Kiara giggled and smiled at that as she looked hopeful. Granny looked soft to both of them, but she looked cautious towards Kovu, one of the Lost Boys who came from Neverland into Storybrooke, as he wore a spotted hyena pelt and she knew exactly why.
"You ready to make camp soon, Regina?" Snow asked Regina quietly.
Regina soon remained silent as something else was currently on her mind.
"You're thinking about Henry, aren't you?" Snow asked.
"I'm always thinking about Henry," Regina replied before she turned around to walk on. "And I was also thinking there are tunnels that run under the castle. They may run beneath the spell."
"Which means we can sneak an army inside." David suggested.
"No, an army would be detected." Regina retorted.
"Then how do the tunnels help us?" Snow asked.
"Because they can get me inside," Regina defended. "If I can get inside, then I can lower the shield. Then you can send in your army."
Evie looked up at her mother and held out her hand. Regina looked down at that and took Evie's hand, gently squeezing it in her hold. Snow and David looked softly at that, though it just reminded them a little of what could have been with Emma.
"I can't believe this is really happening," Robin said as he met Goldie with a warm smile. "My little sister is all grown up."
"And so is my big brother." Goldie smiled back at him with tears in her eyes.
The two siblings then hugged each other for the first time in a very long while. Neal and Belle smiled, looking very happy for the Locksley siblings.
"I can't wait for you to get to know your nephew," Robin told Goldie warmly. "His name is Roland."
"Aww... Roland Locksley..." Goldie smiled at that. "How old is he then?" she then asked.
"He's five now," Robin explained. "It'd be nice for him to get to know his Aunt Gilda better."
"Please, Robbie, you know I prefer Goldie," Goldie chuckled and reminded her big brother. "But yes, I'd like to get my nephew better too and I hope you can get to know yours too."
"My nephew?" Robin wondered. "My little sister has a child of her own?"
"Well, yes and no, he's sort of adopted," Goldie explained. "His name is Koda and he used to be a Lost Boy."
Robin looked concerned about the mention of Lost Boys.
"Don't worry, he was one of the more innocent ones," Goldie then reassured her brother. "He was just like a little lost bear cub, Robbie. I had to take care of him."
"Well, does he love you?" Robin then asked.
"For the most part, he seemed to," Goldie nodded. "We might give The Lost Ones a better chance at life after enduring pain and misery for years in Neverland."
"Well, as long as this makes you happy and you know what you're doing," Robin told his sister. "I already lost you once, I can't lose you again."
"You won't lose me, Robin," Goldie smiled. "I don't plan on leaving again any time soon."
"And I won't leave you either," Robin smiled back before looking curious. "Any word about Bluebeard though?"
"I haven't seen him since I left New York, but I'll be ready for him this time," Goldie reassured her brother. "Your Merry Men will be here with me this time too."
"Yes, you will, and I intend to keep it that way for the foreseeable future." Robin smiled warmly at that.
Goldie smiled back as she laughed and sniffled a bit. She just couldn't believe this was really happening about her being with Robin again after they were separated as children. However, before anything else could happen, shrieking could be heard and a flying monkey swooped. David soon drew his sword. Snow readied an arrow.
"Incoming!" Neal cried out.
The monkey soon pushed him out of its path and flew toward the young boy, presently standing right in front of Regina.
"Neal!" Ben yelped for his big brother.
"Papa!" Roland cried out.
Evie gasped as she ran out of the way for cover as the flying monkey seemed to target Roland.
"Roland!" Robin yelled.
Regina soon stood in front of Evie and the boy named Roland. "Not so fast," she demanded to the creature and she soon magically transformed the monkey into a stuffed animal. She then smiled and approached Evie, Roland, and Robin, giving the toy to the little boy. "See, not so scary. Now you have a new toy."
"Aww... I want one~" Evie pouted out of slight jealousy.
Robin ran over to collect his son. "Thank you." he then told The Evil Queen.
Regina just gave a nod in response.
"What the hell was that thing?" David soon wondered.
"Mommy, I remember hearing that noise from earlier!" Evie piped up.
"She's right," Snow agreed. "That's the same kind of monster that attacked us on our journey here."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say it looked an awful lot like a monkey." Grumpy commented as he stood with Nova, Dopey, Ebony, and Doug.
"A monkey with wings?" David asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what it is." Regina concluded as she realized that.
"Okay, you're acting like that's normal." Neal remarked in disbelief.
"Actually, it is. But not here," Belle spoke up. "There's only one land that has creatures like that. I've read about it. Oz."
"Oz? That's a real place?" Snow asked.
"As in The Wizard of?" Ben asked his mother.
"Yes, my dear, the very same." Belle nodded at him.
"We used to watch that all the time on sleepovers." Evie told Ben.
"I remember and you were ascared of wind for a while." Ben chuckled.
"Don't laugh." Evie pouted at him for that.
Ben then frowned, not meaning to hurt her feelings of course.
"The bookworm's right. It's quite real," Regina piped up. "If our simian friend is any indication, then I think we know exactly who's taken up residence in our castle. The Wicked Witch."
Grumpy paused thoughtfully. "...We talking East or West?" he then asked.
"Does it matter? Neither one sounds good." Snow asked and then said.
"One you drop a house on. The other one you toss a bucket of water at." Grumpy explained to Snow.
"I think it's West cuz of the monkeys." Evie spoke up.
"So, Regina, what exactly are we up against besides green skin and a pointy hat?" David soon asked The Evil Queen. "What did you do to her?"
"This time? Nothing," Regina scoffed. "Never met her."
This isn't a personal vendetta? Shocking," David remarked. "Okay then, Oz aside, we stick to the original plan. Arm up, then attack," he then told the others before looking at The Evil Queen. "Assuming you can get the shield down." he then added to her.
"You don't need to worry about me." Regina replied as she looked like she was going to go in alone.
"I'm coming with you." Snow started to say.
"No, this is a one-woman job." Regina demanded.
"What? Against The Wicked Witch?" Snow reminded her step-mother. "She has flying monkeys; who knows what else?"
"I don't care if The Lollipop Guild is protecting her," Regina scoffed at that. "I can lower that shield on my own."
"Then we'll be waiting for you on the other side." Snow said patiently.
Evie then pouted and hugged her mother's leg to stop her from moving.
"Evie, what do you think you're doing?" Regina demanded as she looked down at her daughter.
"Going with you," Evie said like it was obvious. "I know a shortcut we can take, Mommy."
"I'm glad you wanna help, Evie, but you're probably best safe over here." Regina chuckled and smiled as she patted her daughter on the head.
"I'll stand far away." Evie then said with a puppy dog pout.
"I'd be too worried about you if you came along," Regina told her daughter. "The others will look after you for me."
Evie still pouted before she sniffled and looked up at her mother with her big, brown sad eyes, looking just like a puppy herself right now. Regina looked down at her daughter, trying her hardest to resist the cute and innocent face.
"Please Mommy? Ple-e-e-ease?" Evie asked. "With a big bowl of sugar, whipped cream, and apple on top?~"
Regina looked down at her daughter before closing her eyes. "All right." she then relented.
"Yes!" Evie cheered.
"Just as long as you stay where The Wicked Witch or her monkeys won't easily get you," Regina then reminded her daughter. "The last thing I need on my mind is two lost children."
"Hooray!" Evie cheered as she got to go along.
"Spoiled brat." Regina mumbled playfully to herself as she walked off.
Evie then began to follow after her mother eagerly. Robin watched them go with a small frown.
"You wanna go with them, don't you, Robbie?" Goldie asked her big brother.
"Yes," Robin nodded. "The Queen might have owned that palace, but she and her family will never survive out here without the proper guidance."
"Well, you might as well go after them." Goldie suggested.
"Are you sure?" Robin asked his sister.
"I insist that you go," Goldie nodded. "Besides, who am I to stop the one and only Robin of Locksley?"
"Thanks, Goldie," Robin smiled warmly at his sister. "I don't know what I'd do without you... though I had to for a while until today of course."
"Let's just hope you never have to go through that again," Goldie told him. "Now go, you better hurry before you miss them. I'll look after Roland for you."
"It would be good for you two to bond as aunt and nephew," Robin agreed warmly. "I'll try to be careful around The Queen."
"That's the best advice I can give you about her right now," Goldie told her brother. "I see you're quite a charmer with the ladies though."
"You could say your big brother is a total fox." Robin suggested with a playful and boastful grin on his face.
"I'm never saying that," Goldie narrowed her eyes before she smirked. "Go on, get. You're gonna lose their trail."
Robin chuckled before he playfully ruffled up her hair and soon went to go after Regina and Evie.
"I'm glad you two are together again," Neal said as he came beside Goldie. "I can tell that you two are very important to each other."
"You have no idea, Baelfire. You have no idea." Goldie told him.
"Please Goldilocks, just call me Neal." Neal requested.
"Fine, then call me Goldie." Goldie told him.
"Done." Neal nodded at that.
Goldie also nodded and then looked over as she saw her brother one last time as he went after The Evil Queen and her daughter.
Regina and Evie soon continued to the palace together as it was getting darker and darker outside. Regina soon had Evie step out of the way as she began to levitate a boulder before turning around as she moved the boulder out of the way and then landed it. Evie smiled, impressed with her mother until a small glimmer of light was shown and it was a torch that came from a certain outlaw who had followed the mother and daughter.
"No." Regina glared once she saw that she and her daughter had been followed by Robin Hood of all people.
"No what?" Robin asked.
Evie glanced back at Robin.
"You're not." Regina continued.
"Not coming along?" Robin asked. "I do believe I am... I can help you both." he told them.
"I didn't ask for anyone's help except for Evie's." Regina retorted firmly.
"Well, that doesn't mean you won't need it," Robin retorted. "That flying monkey back there wasn't after my son... It was coming after you." he said.
"What makes you think that?" Regina scoffed.
"The woods are my home," Robin said. "I've seen many a hunter stalk its prey, that beast was coming for you... Roland just happened to be standing in between." he said.
"Your point?" Regina demanded from the outlaw.
Evie began to wander far from her mother and the outlaw while they were talking, unbeknownst by either of them. In the distance, light screeching could be heard as Evie gasped briefly, but she continued going which was probably a bad idea.
"That's the second time you've been attacked," Robin told Regina. "The Wicked Witch wants you dead."
"And what? You think you can stop her if she tries to hurt me?" Regina snorted and scoffed in response.
"Maybe, maybe not, but I have to try," Robin told her. "You see, despite the fact that neither of us likes it, I owe you and your princess a debt." he told her.
"Why is that?" Regina soon asked him.
"Even though that winged beast wasn't after Roland, he still could have hurt my son," Robin told her. "You saved him."
"Hm. Who knew a thief had honor?" Regina smirked a little.
"Who knew an evil queen had a soft spot for children?" Robin retorted. "Though I suppose having a child of your own is also evident of that."
Regina soon sighed in defeat. "Don't get in my way." she then warned the outlaw.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it~" Robin said, and gave a slight bow as if to gesture her onwards.
The two then began to walk only for Regina to suddenly stop in her tracks.
"What's the matter?" Robin asked her out of concern.
"Where did my daughter go...?" Regina wondered warily.
"MOMMY!" Evie's voice shrieked.
Regina's eyes widened as she ran that way before Robin came tumbling right after her. Robin and Regina rushed over and found that Evie was about to be snatched by a flying monkey who screeched and snarled at the blue-haired girl.
"Get. Away. FROM HER!" Regina glared at the flying monkey before conjuring up her own fireball in her hand, preparing to throw it.
Robin notched an arrow. Evie tried to pry the monkey's hands away. Regina narrowed her eyes as she tried to get a good angle and aim for the flying monkey instead of Katie. The flying monkey screeched as he grabbed Katie and began to try to fly away with her to take her back to The Wicked Witch.
"Lemme go!" Evie cried out to the stubborn flying monkey.
Regina soon threw the fireball at the flying monkey to scare it away, causing it to screech louder while trying to keep a hold of Evie, but also deflect the fireball with his wings.
"Mommy!" Evie wailed as the fireball was a bit close.
"Sorry!" Regina flinched and cringed for her daughter's sake.
The flying monkey kept tugging Evie and soon grabbed a hold of her, holding her close in his arms before taking off with her in his hold.
"Hey!" Regina yelled out and glared, about to get out another fireball.
"Mommy!" Evie cried out as she seemed to be stuck.
"Don't, you might hit your daughter." Robin warned Regina.
"You got a better idea, I'd love to hear it." Regina challenged in a rather hostile way.
"We follow, as we're going that way anyway." Robin said quietly.
"Very well... Since it'll be just you and me for a while, I'll show you around." Regina rolled her eyes slightly before nodding as she tried her best to tolerate his accompaniment.
Robin walked alongside her, using his torch as their light in the tunnels.
After a little while, Robin looked at Regina. "So, where are we headed?" He asked.
"There's a fire in the courtyard that powers the spell," Regina informed. "As long as it burns the shield will stay up."
"We simply need to put it out?" Robin asked Regina.
"I simply need to put it out," Regina retorted. "You need to stay out of my way," she then added as she prevented him to take a step forward as they reached a trap. "Step in between."
"Oh, nice little surprise." Robin commented as he saw the sharp points on the wall.
"To keep people like you out." Regina soon said.
"People like me?" Robin asked her.
"Thieves." Regina clarified.
"Oh, yes," Robin said after giving a scoff. "True... But we aren't quite so bad, you know." he then told her as he followed her carefully.
"Not if you're telling yourself you're stealing from the rich to give to the poor," Regina retorted. "I may have done bad things in my life but at least I own it."
"I own my mistakes, too," Robin retorted. "I hope you didn't let me come with you just to walk me into one of these traps, Roland has already lost his mother... I would hate him to lose his father, too." he then told her.
"Well, then you should have stayed with the others," Regina suggested with a smirk before she continued to lead the way. "So, Roland's mother what happened to her?" she then couldn't help but ask.
Robin sighed at that. "After our boy was born I inadvertently put her in harm's way during the job... It's my fault," he said quietly. "Like I said, I own my mistakes." he then pointed out.
Regina nodded to that.
"And your princess's father?" Robin soon wondered. "What happened to him?"
"Let's just say he died of a broken heart." Regina said softly.
"Oh, well, I'm very sorry to hear that." Robin told her quietly.
"It's okay... Everybody says they're sorry, but who does it really help?" Regina said softly before the two of them soon stopped to take a look closer leading to a particular door that soon bewildered her. That's impossible." she then muttered.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked.
"That door. It's open." Regina told him even though it was obvious.
"Perhaps you've left it unlocked?" Robin suggested.
"I sealed it with blood magic. I'm the only one who can open it." Regina replied as she shook her head in disbelief.
"Clearly not," Robin stated. "Appears the Wicked Witch is a formidable foe," he then said before entering the crypt with her. "What exactly was this place? Must have been important for you to seal it by blood." he asked, then told her.
"A crypt. Isn't that obvious?" Regina simply replied.
"Yes, what I meant was, who was it built for?" Robin corrected himself.
"My mother. Like you, I've lost people I care about," Regina replied. "More than I'd like to admit."
"Someone besides your princess's father?" Robin guessed, not unkindly. "Perhaps there was another child?"
"What do you know about that?" Regina scoffed slightly.
"I can sometimes sense these things, especially with your touch of a mother." Robin told her calmly.
"...there was another child," Regina admitted softly. "Evie's little brother."
"He's not with us on this trek. What happened to him?" Robin stated and then asked.
"He's not dead if that's what you think," Regina defended before she looked a little sad briefly. "He's just lost to me and Evie forever."
"If The Wicked Witch is powerful enough to break blood magic perhaps we should reconsider this plan." Robin suggested after a small pause.
"I don't care how powerful this witch is. I have to go through with this plan," Regina told him before she soon came to open the door to her chambers. "Make yourself useful. Keep watch." she soon told him before walking over to her dressing table and preparing a spell.
"Nothing that concerns you." Regina replied, trying to ignore him.
"I won't ask you again. What is that?" Robin said and asked as he got out an arrow and notched his bow ready to shoot her if he needed to.
"How dare you threaten me in my own castle?" Regina glared as she turned around and used her magic to choke him.
Robin choked a little. "Even if you choke the life out of me this arrow will still leave my bow and trust me I never miss," he told her, his voice strained. "Now, what manner of dark potion are you making?" he asked.
Regina soon released him. "A sleeping curse." she then told him.
Robin took a few breaths then continued. "The kind you used on Snow White?" he asked.
"That spell came from Maleficent," Regina clarified and explained. "I finally learned how to make one of my own."
"This spell... This is why you wanted to come to the castle." Robin realized.
"Ingredients like these are hard to come by, especially when you have Snow White breathing down your neck every second of the day." Regina said.
"That was your plan? To use it on the witch?" Robin asked.
"The Witch? I don't care about her." Regina replied as she was soon finishing the spell.
"Then who do you plan to use it on?" Robin asked warily.
"Don't worry. No one you'll miss. No one anyone will miss." Regina reassured as she applied the spell on a hairpin of hers.
"This is about your son, isn't it?" Robin asked. "I can't let you do this." he then said as he walked towards her.
"It's a good thing you don't have a say in the matter." Regina scoffed as she used magic to freeze his feet to the ground, making him unable to approach her further.
"I know how you feel, Regina." Robin told her.
"I doubt that." Regina huffed.
"I lost my parents long ago and it was just me and my sister until I lost her and when I lost my wife I thought there was no reason to go on," Robin told her. "But then I found one: My son." he finished.
"That's where you and I are different. I've already lost Henry," Regina told him. "I've already lost half of the only thing I care about."
"That doesn't mean you won't find a new reason. We'll all get a second chance, Regina," Robin insisted as strongly as he could. "You'll just have to open your eyes to see it."
"It's too bad mine will be closed." Regina dismissed him.
"So, that's it?" Robin asked her. "You just wanna give up?"
"This isn't an end. It's an eternal middle for after I rescue Evie from that Wicked Witch and we can move on with our lives here in The Enchanted Forest," Regina explained firmly. "This curse can be broken by the only true love in my life and the only reason I'd even want to wake: My daughter's little brother."
"Regina, listen to me," Robin begged. "This is a mistake."
"Don't worry. I'll keep my word. I'll lower the protection spell so that Snow and Charming can be victorious," Regina told him before she left, leaving him by his lonesome. "But then, then I go to sleep."
Later, in the courtyard, a burning fire fueled the protection spell. Regina saw this and soon magically absorbed the green flame. A green dome could be shown surrounding the castle until it slowly faded away and ten disappeared entirely, allowing everyone to come to the court unharmed now that Regina had done her part with or without Evie.
Meanwhile, this was spotted by Grumpy and his spyglass. "IT'S DOWN!" he then alerted the others.
"Move on to the castle. Now." David then told the others after he was given the signal.
Everyone then got up, and gathered their things and their descendants as they began to make their way to The Dark Palace at once.
Meanwhile, Evie whimpered as she looked around in a seat that she was literally dropped off in.
"Hello dear, it's good to see you~" A voice greeted from the darkness.
"Ah!" Evie gasped and pouted. "Who's there?"
"Relax, my dear, I'm not going to hurt you," The Wicked Witch reassured the blue-haired girl once she stepped into the light with a dark smirk on her face. "Let's go and see your Mummy, shall we?"
"M-Mommy...?" Evie wondered.
"Come." The Wicked Witch demanded as she stepped over and grabbed Evie suddenly as she knew exactly where to go from here.
Evie whimpered and twitched, feeling very uncomfortable and nervous around The Wicked Witch of all people.
"Don't worry, my dear, I won't hurt you~" The Wicked Witch smirked. "I just need you to go and talk to your Mummy~"
Evie whimpered and frowned as she still felt very nervous on the way to go and see Regina as The Wicked Witch seemed to know where she was at this very moment.
