The darkened sky over the Enchanted Forest mirrored the unease settling over the group. Princess Aurora sat near the campfire, her expression weary as she rubbed her burned arm. The poppy powder Mulan had crafted earlier had allowed her to venture into the netherworld, where she had encountered the boy, Henry. But the experience had left her shaken, and the burns on her arm only deepened her determination.

As her companions prepared to rest for the night, Aurora stretched out on her blanket, staring up at the stars. Sleep didn't come easily, not when every dream plunged her back into the fiery red room.

Aurora's breathing slowed, and the world shifted around her. The campfire and her companions faded into darkness, replaced by flickering red light. The fiery room greeted her again—the oppressive heat, the crackling flames, and the heavy smoke pressing against her lungs.

This time, though, the flames were different. They twisted and coiled as if alive, but they didn't lash out at her. In the center of the room stood Henry, his small figure steady amidst the chaos.

"Who are you?" Aurora asked, her voice trembling.

Henry smiled gently, holding up the amulet around his neck. "I'm Henry. You're in the netherworld—it's where people go when they've been under a sleeping curse."

Aurora's eyes widened. "You're just a boy. How are you here?"

"I've never been under the curse," Henry explained, his voice calm but tinged with sadness. "But my mom was, and somehow, it connected me. The nightmares started when the magic around the curses got stronger."

Aurora stepped closer, the flames parting slightly. "Do you know how to stop this?"

Henry nodded. "We're working on it. My family's in Storybrooke, and I think we can help each other. But you need to tell them what I'm saying."

Aurora reached for him, but the flames surged, forcing her back. Henry raised his hands, calming the fire again. "You have to wake up now," he said. "But tell them—tell them my name is Henry."

Aurora awoke with a gasp, her chest heaving as she sat upright. Emmett and Snow White rushed to her side, their concern etched across their faces.

"What happened?" Snow asked, brushing Aurora's hair back from her damp forehead.

Aurora's wide eyes locked onto Emmett. "I met someone," she said breathlessly. "A boy. His name is Henry."

Emmett froze, his expression shifting from confusion to disbelief. "Henry? Are you sure?"

Aurora nodded vigorously. "He was in the fire. He said he's in Storybrooke and that we need to work together."

Snow quickly pulled a photograph of Henry from her satchel, one she had kept for comfort. "Is this him?" she asked, showing it to Aurora.

Aurora's hand flew to her mouth. "That's him."

Snow's breath caught. "I've seen the fiery room too," she admitted quietly. "But I didn't want to frighten you by saying anything."

Emmett stared at her. "You've been there?"

Snow nodded, her eyes filled with guilt. "When I was under the sleeping curse, I saw the same room. It's a connection between people who've been cursed. I should have told you sooner."

Emmett's jaw tightened. "Why didn't you?"

"Because I didn't want you to blame yourself," Snow replied gently. "We can't change the past, Emmett. But we can use this connection to help."

The group sat together, forming a plan. Snow decided that Aurora would need to enter the netherworld again to relay their situation to Henry, but Mulan was reluctant.

"Aurora's already been burned," Mulan protested, her hand resting protectively on Aurora's shoulder. "How can you ask her to do this again?"

Aurora touched Mulan's arm, her expression resolute. "Every day since Phillip saved me has been a gift. I need to do this—for Phillip, and for us."

Snow placed a hand over Aurora's. "We'll protect you."

Mulan nodded reluctantly and began crafting more poppy powder. But before Aurora could enter the netherworld again, their camp was ambushed. Morwenna's corpse army descended upon them, their grotesque forms moving with terrifying precision.

"Protect the compass!" Snow shouted as she drew her bow.

Emmett fought alongside them, using his magic to deflect attacks, but it wasn't enough. In the chaos, Aurora was grabbed and dragged away. Her screams echoed through the forest as Mulan fought desperately to reach her, but it was too late.

Aurora awoke in a dimly lit cell, her hands chained to the wall. Morwenna stood before her, her cold beauty marred by the hatred in her eyes.

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble," Morwenna said icily.

Aurora glared at her. "What do you want?"

Morwenna smirked. "Your loyalty. Hand over the compass, and I'll return Phillip's soul. I'll even send the wraith to another realm where it can't harm him—or anyone else."

Aurora's heart twisted at the mention of Phillip, but she straightened her spine. "I won't betray them."

Morwenna's smirk vanished, replaced by a sneer. "You foolish girl. Do you think loyalty will save you? I'll give you until sundown to reconsider."

She left the cell, slamming the door behind her. Aurora leaned back against the cold stone wall, her resolve unshaken despite the tears in her eyes.

Morwenna's raven delivered her ultimatum to the group. Mulan wanted to trade the compass, but Snow suggested a different approach: entering the netherworld to seek advice from Mr. Gold.

"We're out of powder," Mulan pointed out.

"Then we'll find more," Snow said firmly. "There's a field of poppies in the Woods of the Dead. We'll get what we need."

As they traveled, Emmett wrestled with his emotions. "Why does Henry have a connection to the sleeping curse?" he asked Snow.

"Because magic doesn't care about logic," Snow replied. "It's messy, and it lingers. You couldn't have stopped it, Emmett. None of this is your fault."

Her words offered some comfort, but Emmett remained focused. "We'll get Aurora back. And we'll stop Morwenna."

The camp was eerily quiet when Emmett and Snow returned from gathering poppies. Their small fire still smoldered, and their supplies remained where they had left them, but something was wrong. The compass was missing.

"She's gone," Snow said grimly, her eyes scanning the area. "Mulan took the compass."

Emmett's jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists. "She's going to trade it with Morwenna."

Snow grabbed her bow, slinging it over her shoulder. "We can't let her. That compass is our only way back to Storybrooke."

Without hesitation, they followed Mulan's trail. The woods were dense, and the faint glow of moonlight barely filtered through the canopy above. Emmett's heart pounded as they ran, anger and frustration building with each step.

They found her near the edge of a ravine, the compass clutched tightly in her hand. She turned at the sound of their approach, her expression conflicted but resolute.

"Mulan!" Snow shouted. "What are you doing?"

Mulan squared her shoulders. "I'm doing what I promised. I'm protecting Aurora. She's more important than this quest."

"You don't understand what you're doing," Emmett said, his voice low and dangerous. "Morwenna can't be trusted."

Mulan's grip on the compass tightened. "I don't care. If it means saving Aurora, I'll take that risk."

Emmett lunged at Mulan, his magic sparking instinctively to life. The force of his attack knocked her backward, but she recovered quickly, drawing her sword. The blade glinted in the moonlight as she swung it toward him.

Their clash was fierce and unrelenting. Emmett used his powers to deflect her strikes, sending bursts of energy toward her, but Mulan was quick and precise, her movements honed by years of training. Snow tried to intervene, but the intensity of their fight kept her at bay.

"You're going to get us all killed!" Emmett shouted, his voice filled with fury.

"And you're too blind to see that Aurora's life is worth more than this damn compass!" Mulan shot back, her sword grazing his arm.

Emmett's anger flared, and he summoned a wave of energy that sent Mulan sprawling to the ground. He advanced on her, his hands glowing with magic as he prepared to strike again.

"Emmett, stop!" Snow yelled, but he didn't hear her.

Mulan struggled to her feet, gripping her sword tightly. "If you want the compass, you'll have to kill me," she said, her voice steady despite her labored breathing.

Emmett hesitated for only a moment before raising his hand, his magic sparking dangerously. But before he could unleash it, Aurora burst through the trees, her voice piercing the tension.

"Stop!" she cried, stepping between them.

Emmett froze, his hand still raised, as Aurora placed herself between him and Mulan. Her chain marks were still fresh on her wrists, and her dress was torn from her escape.

"Aurora?" Snow said, rushing to her side. "How did you—?"

"Hook released me," Aurora said quickly. "He said he wanted to prove he could be trusted. But he's not working with Morwenna anymore. He left me to find you."

Emmett lowered his hand slowly, his magic fading. "Hook? Why would he do that?"

Aurora glanced at him, her expression uncertain. "He said he has feelings for you."

Emmett's eyes widened, his confusion evident. "What?"

Aurora shrugged. "I think it's his way of trying to earn your trust. But I don't think it's entirely selfless."

Emmett's mind reeled. Was Hook manipulating him, or was there something genuine in his actions? The thought left him more conflicted than he cared to admit.

The group regrouped, their focus shifting back to the urgent task at hand. Mulan, though chastised, still held the sleeping powder and reluctantly handed it to Snow.

"I'm sorry," Mulan said quietly. "I just… I couldn't let her stay with Morwenna."

"We'll fix this," Snow said, her voice firm but kind. "But we have to stick together."

Snow prepared to use the sleeping powder on herself, lying down on a blanket near the fire. Emmett sat beside her, his expression filled with concern.

"You don't have to do this," he said softly.

"Yes, I do," Snow replied, giving him a reassuring smile. "We need Mr. Gold's help—and Regina's."

Emmett nodded reluctantly, stepping back as Mulan sprinkled the powder over Snow's face. Within moments, Snow's breathing slowed, and her body went still.