Chapter Nine - Lady of the Lake
Season 2 - Episode 3
There was an Enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know.
Or think we know.
One day, they found themselves trapped where all their happy endings were stolen.
Our World.
This is how it happened…
Snow White takes off into the woods but is followed by the masked Knight, who manages to get ahead and easily knocks her down. "What kind of general hides behind a mask?" Snow asks. "Who are you really, Leviathan?"
"Leviathan? That's what they're calling me?" Lancelot questions, surprised, and removes his helmet. "Name's Lancelot."
"Lancelot? Of the Round Table?" She retorts, looking at him.
"Not anymore," He replies shortly.
In the pit, Mary Margaret is still unconscious; Cora tends to her while Emma watches. "You sure she's going to be okay?" Emma asks, worried about her mother.
"Don't worry. She'll be fine," Cora assures her.
"What is this place? Where are we?" She asks, looking around.
"It's a little island our captors like to think of as their haven," Mrs Mills explains.
"Haven? From what?" The blond woman questions, still getting used to this magical world.
"The world's dangerous. What's left of it, anyway," Cora answers.
"Well, they can't keep us down here. We didn't do anything wrong," Emma argues.
"Neither did I," She lies through her teeth.
"Then why are you here?" The Saviour asks her.
"I'm here because of something my older daughter did. The curse that ravaged this land? She cast it," The red-haired woman explains, shocking Emma.
"Regina. You're Regina and Octavia's mother?" Emma questions, looking at the woman who gave birth to Regina and Octavia.
"Yes. But you have nothing to fear from me," Cora fibs, lying, and Emma isn't too sure. "The apple fell very far from the tree. You're from over there, aren't you? How'd you get back?" Mary Margaret gains consciousness and sees the two others talking.
"Emma. No…" Mary Margaret groans, getting to her feet.
"Oh, Snow, you're awake. I'm so relieved," she smiles, trying to seem friendly, but Snow knows better and takes Emma aside.
"As bad as you think Regina is, this woman is worse," Snow warns her.
"Oh, Snow. Sweet Snow. Please… Believe me. Whatever she told you isn't true. I just want to help you," Mrs Mills assures her, not knowing that Octavia is with them.
"Let's hear her out," Emma suggests.
"Emma," Mary Maragret hisses.
"Okay. Right now, we are at the bottom of a hole with no other options. And Henry is back in Storybrooke with Regina," She argues.
"Who's Henry?" Cora asks, intrigued to know who has her late husband's name.
"My son. I kind of share him with Regina. It's complicated," The blond woman explains simply.
"Don't talk to her," Mary Margaret warns her.
"Enough!" The guard shouts, throwing a rope down into the pit. "Our leader requests an audience."
Henry and David walk down Main Street, talking about their latest operation. "So, what's on the agenda for Operation Scorpion?" Henry asks.
"What's Operation Scorpion?" David questions, looking at the kid.
"The code name for our mission to find Emma and Snow? Do you prefer viper? That was my second choice," he replies.
"Henry, we need to talk," Charming says.
"Yeah, scorpion's better," The young Mills boy agrees.
"No, it's not that. It's…" David replies.
"I'm not coming with you. But I… I thought we were going to find Jefferson?" Henry asks.
"I already did," He tells him.
"What? Is he going to help us?" The Mills boy wonders.
"No. No, Henry, he's not," The Prince answers, shaking his head.
"But why didn't you tell me you talked to him?" Henry asks, looking at his grandfather.
"Because I didn't want to disappoint you. I know you want to find your mom, but Jefferson can't help us. I need to find a way to restore the hat," David explains, not wanting to let the kid down after losing his mum, aunt and grandmother.
"So, why can't I help you look?" He questions, wanting to help.
"It'll require magic, Henry. And magic," Charming replies, shrugging.
"Always comes with a price. I've read the book, you know," The little Mills argues.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't let you anywhere near this stuff. If you really want to help me, you'll go to school where I know you'll be safe, okay?" David says, wanting to keep him safe.
"Okay," Henry huffs, wanting to help, and he heads towards the school bus; once David leads, however, Henry heads elsewhere, wanting to find Jefferson.
Emma and Mary Margaret are being led by one of the guards through the village, going to their leader. "Why can't you just listen to me?" Mary Margaret asks Emma, looking around.
"Why couldn't you have trusted me?" Emma questions. "I was just trying to find a way to get us home. I could've handled her."
"Cora? Don't be so sure. I've lived here, Emma. I know this world. And its dangers. Octavia will tell you what she is like." She argues, looking around. "Where is she, anyway?"
"Wait here," The guard orders them.
"Is that why you came through the portal? Because you thought I was helpless here?" Emma questions, looking at her mother.
"No… I came through to be with you," Mary Margaret argues, and Lancelot appears from one of the huts. "Lancelot?"
"Snow?" Lancelot smiles, the two of them embracing as old friends. "If I had known that you were the prisoners Mulan had brought back, I never would have locked you away. Please – forgive me."
"Of course," She smiles back.
"Lancelot? Really?" Emma questions, looking at him.
"He's an old friend. We can trust him. Actually, Octavia was with us, but they took her somewhere." The Princess assures her that Aurora and Mulan watch their reunion while across the camp.
"Why is he embracing them? They were responsible for Phillip's death," Aurora snaps, glaring at them.
"You're new here, Aurora. Phillip trusted Lancelot. So must we," Mulan argues, trying to calm her.
"I want justice," She growls, missing her beloved.
"Tread carefully. It's dangerous to confuse vengeance with justice. Do you understand me?" The warrior warns her, but the Princess says nothing. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes," Sleeping Beauty replies, pulling out a dagger concealed in her waistband.
Emma and Mary Margaret sit down to eat with Lancelot as he drops a plate of strange-looking meat on the table when Octavia comes over with a guard. "Finally," Octavia huffs, sitting next to Lancelot. "Hey, Lance," She greets him, and he gives her a little look, which makes her frown.
"What the hell is that?" Emma asks, looking at the meat in front of them.
"That is chimaera. An acquired taste, but all our hunting party could bring back. One part lion, one part serpent, one part goat," Lancelot tells her, seeming fine with the blond.
"Like turducken?" She questions.
"I don't understand. We were told this land didn't even exist anymore. How did you all escape the curse?" Mary Margaret asks.
"It is a mystery," Lancelot lies, knowing exactly how. "The curse struck and when the smoke cleared, most of us had been torn from this land. But some of us here, in this particular region, were left behind. We don't know how, and we don't know why. Finding this safe haven wasn't easy. Took some spilled blood. But worry not. You're safe here."
"We can't stay. My husband's back there, Emma's son—my grandson. We have to get back to them. Can you help us find a portal?" she asks, looking at Octavia, too.
"No, leaving is unwise. The Enchanted Forest is not as you remember it. The ogres have returned," He informs them.
"Ogres? Like, as in fee-fi-fo-fum?" Emma questions, looking at them.
"Those would be giants," Octavia corrects her, snapping a little taste of the chimaera.
"Ogres are far worse. And that's why we live here. On this island, where it's safe. Please, Snow. Stay here. There are no more portals left," Lancelot tells them.
"I might know of one," Mary Margret suggests, making Octavia look at her.
"You do?" Emma wonders, looking at her mother.
"Where?" Lancelot asks, leaning in closer.
"Cora's near. I don't feel comfortable voicing my plans. She's powerful," Mary Margaret argues, looking around.
"Not anymore. The curse stripped her of her powers," He assures her. "But, given her reputation, we kept her locked up as a precaution."
"Nevertheless, we shouldn't take any chances. Just trust me. We may have a way. Let us go?" Octavia tells him.
"I'll allow it," The Knight agrees, looking at Snow. "But on one condition – take my bravest warrior with you. Allow Mulan to defend you." He calls over the warrior.
"We can defend ourselves," Emma argues.
"Deal. Thank you, Lancelot. For always looking out for me," Mary Margaret thanks him, looking at Octavia, who nods back at her.
Mulan presents Emma, Mary Margaret, and Octavia with an arsenal of weapons before they head out. "Choose wisely," Mulan warns them. We must be vigilant if we hope to survive the journey." Mary Margaret takes a sword and straps it to her waist.
"Where's my gun? I want it back," Emma demands, looking at Mulan. Mulan takes the firearm from her pocket and inspects it a little before handing it to Emma.
"Is it magic?" Mulan questions, watching the blond woman.
"It depends on who's pulling the trigger," she counters, watching Mary Margaret take a bow and quiver of arrows for a second weapon and Octavia take a dagger and sword.
"Follow my lead. Step where I step. Do exactly as I say, and you might survive," The warrior tells them.
"Thanks for the pep talk, but I think we're okay. I just killed a dragon last week," The blond woman taunts her a little.
"Have you ever seen an ogre?" Octavia argues, siding with Mulan.
"Pretty sure I've dated a few," Emma jokes, not earning any laughs.
"Legend has it that when they kill you, the last thing you see is yourself dying in the reflection in their eyes. Let's walk. It'll be dark soon," Mulan warns her, stalking ahead of the group, with Mary Margaret, Emma and Octavia following close behind.
"Don't let her rattle you. I won't let anything happen to us. Stick to the plan," Mary Margaret tells her, trying to ease her daughter's mind.
"What is the plan? You haven't told me anything. What's going on?" Emma asks her, looking at Snow and Octavia.
"The wardrobe," Octavia answers.
"The wardrobe? The wardrobe?" She questions, looking at them. "Like, the wardrobe that sent little baby me to Maine? You think that can get us back to Storybrooke?"
"I don't know. First, we have to see if it survived the curse, then we'll worry about making it work," Mary Margaret replies, looking at Octavia.
"It could work, with a little hard work," Octavia assures them.
"Where is it?" Emma asks them.
"My place. Want to see where you're from, Emma? That's right. We're going home," Mary Margaret answers, surprising the blond woman, who looks at both women.
Jefferson sits on a bench by the docks, staring at a piece of paper with 'Have you seen my Papa?' and a crude, child-like drawing of a man on the poster. Henry approaches him slowly. "Jefferson… Right?" Henry asks, looking at him. "The Mad Hatter? I need your help."
"Look, I already told your grandfather. I can't do anything," Jefferson retorts quickly.
"I know. But there must be something we can do," he argues, wanting his aunt, mum, and grandmother back.
"I'm the wrong person to talk to, kid. Magic's not my thing. Try your mother," The Mad Hatter suggests. "Maybe she's got something in that vault of hers she can help you with."
"Vault? Her vault is here? In Storybrooke?" the young Mills boy asks, surprised to learn that the vault is in Storybrooke.
"It's none of my business. Talk to her," Jefferson tells him.
"What's that?" Henry asks, pointing to the poster that Jefferson folds up, hiding it and tucking it in his coat pocket. "Your daughter's looking for you, isn't she?"
"What do you know about it?" He wonders, looking at the boy.
"I read your story. I know how the two of you were separated. Why are you here? She's at school," The Mills boy tells him, not understanding why he'd be hiding away from his daughter.
"I've got to go home, kid," The Mad Hatter replies, getting up and starting to walk away with Henry following him.
"She probably wants to see you," Henry argues.
"Get out of my way," Jefferson huffs as the kid blocks his path. "Get out of my way."
"Why aren't you trying to find her?" He snaps, and the man grabs him by the shoulders.
"Because I left her! And she'll hate me," the madman argues angrily, though he is more angry at himself.
"How do you know that?" The kid questions.
"I was on my way… Fate reminded me I shouldn't," Jefferson counters, calming down.
"You should. I've been left, too. Anything's better than nothing. She'll spend her whole life wondering why you left her. Not knowing is the worst," Henry tells him, trying to get him to see reason.
Regina packs up her office into boxes as the citizens of Storybrooke don't feel like she can be Mayor anymore with everyone's memories restored. Her phone rings, and she looks to see it's Henry. "Henry! I'm just packing up the office. I've been asked to leave," Regina tells him. "No, of course, it can wait. I'd love to have lunch with you. Granny's - ten minutes." She hangs up, grabbing her bag before leaving. Once the coast is clear, Henry appears from behind one of the side doors. He looks in one of her filing cabinet drawers, locating the ring of Regina's skeleton keys.
Snow, Emma, Octavia, and Mulan arrive at a clearing in the forest to settle for the night before heading back out. "This will do. We'll make camp here for the night," Mulan announces. "We just need to find water, collect some firewood."
"Uh, if we're hiding from ogres, shouldn't we maybe, I don't know, not start a fire?" Emma argues, looking around.
"Ogres are blind. They hunt by sound alone," Octavia explains.
"Right. Because that's something everyone would know about ogres," She mutters, feeling out of place.
"Look, I know you're out of your element…" Mary Margaret says, trying to ease her nerves.
"I'm fine," The blond woman counters.
"I know. But, maybe you should just stay here while we get wood and water. Guard the campsite?" She suggests.
"You mean the big, empty clearing?" Emma questions, looking at Octavia.
"It's the safest place. We'll be right back," Snow promises, moving away with Mulan.
"Why haven't you used your magic?" She asks, turning to Octavia.
"Because I don't trust a lot of people, Emma, and Mulan is one of them," Octavia argues, looking into the trees and feeling someone following them since they left the village.
In the middle of the forest, King George's men toss Snow onto the ground and then leave. She spots Lancelot approaching on horseback, seemingly searching for her. After arming herself with a large branch, Snow hides behind a tree. When Lancelot rides past, she smashes him off his horse and then looms threateningly over him. "Wait!" Lancelot shouts. "I've come to help!"
"After what you did to me?" Snow snaps.
"After what the King did to you. I still do have a small shred of honour left," He argues, hating what the King did to her.
"You really think I'm that naive? You're going to earn my trust so I can lead you straight-," She growls.
"To the cabin. Where your Prince is hiding his mother?" The Knight counters, surprising her.
"How did you know?" The Princess asks him, frowning and growing scared for her Prince.
"Cause George knows where it is. He's sent them there to kill your man's mother," Lancelot warns her.
"Charming's at the cabin, too," She mutters.
Mary Margaret collects some firewood in the forest. Suddenly, Aurora ambushes the Princess with a dagger, holding it against her throat. "Don't move," Aurora warns her. "Phillip's gone because of you." Snow grabs Aurora's shoulders and throws her over her head, pinning her to the ground.
"Listen to me, Princess. You think I don't know what it's like to be separated from the people that I love? What happened to Phillip was not our fault. So I suggest you find another way to channel your anger," Mary Margaret suggests, and Mulan comes across them, pulling her off of Sleeping Beauty.
"Don't talk to her like that!" Mulan snaps at her.
"She tried to kill me," She argues.
"I will deal with her," The warrior counters, and they hear a warning shot, making them turn to Emma, who points her gun in their direction.
"I told you not to do that!" Octavia shouts angrily.
"Emma, what are you doing?" Mary Margaret asks, looking at her daughter.
"Protecting you. Drop the weapon," Emma answers, turning to Aurora.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" She argues, and they hear a low growling sound approaching them. "Ogres?" An ogre stomps into the clearing.
"Run!" Octavia shouts, and the women run into the forest while the ogre trails behind them.
"Split up!" Mary Margaret yells.
"Come on!" Mulan says, taking Aurora with her. She goes one way, Mary Margaret and Emma go another, and Octavia goes straight ahead.
"Over there," She shouts, and Emma trips over a branch, but Mary Margaret doesn't notice. The ogre catches up to the blond, and she attempts to shoot at it, but the creature grabs Emma's gun, crushing it in its hand.
"Seriously?" Emma asks. Mary Margaret and Octavia appear behind the ogre, and Octavia uses her magic to divert its attention away from the blond.
"Back away from my daughter!" Mary Margaret shouts, and the ogre turns its attention to them. Mary Margaret aims and fires an arrow into its eye, instantly killing it. Emma watches incredulously as Mary Margret pulls the arrow from the ogre's eye. "You have to shoot them in the eye,"
"When was the last time you shot an arrow?" The blond woman questions, looking at her mother.
"Twenty-eight years ago. Guess it's like riding a bike," She smirks.
"Yeah, but how did you know you could hit that?" Emma asks.
"I didn't. And next time, listen to me?" Snow warns her, wanting to keep her safe.
"That kind of thing isn't going to work here," Octavia tells her, pointing to the gun.
"Yeah…" Emma sighs, looking at her gun.
"We should get going," Mary Margaret tells the others.
Snow White, Prince Charming, and Lancelet gather around the Prince's injured mother, Ruth, after King George attacks the cabin, and they need to find a way to heal her. "It's poisoned," Lancelot states.
"Then we find an antidote," Charming replies, glaring at the injury as if willing it to disappear.
"With the fairies. They can help us," Snow agrees.
"No. I'm afraid this is going to take something stronger than fairy dust," Lancelot argues, shaking his head.
"Lake Nostos. I've been there before," Charming says, looking at the others. "Its waters have powerful magical properties. I've seen them turn a man from solid gold back into flesh. It isn't far – a day's journey at most."
"I'll prepare a wagon," He agrees, rushing to find something to carry Ruth on the long journey.
The small company travels on a path through the forest, with Ruth lying out on a wagon and Lancelot and Prince Charming on horseback. "Must be a curious tale," Charming comments, looking at the former Knight of the Round Table.
"What?" Lancelot questions, looking at him.
"Well, how a Knight of the Round Table ended up a sword for hire," He counters.
"You mean, how did I fall from grace? The same way you ended up running from King George – a woman," The Knight replies, and they stop in the middle of the road.
"We're going to scout ahead. We won't be long," Charming tells Snow, leaving the women alone. Snow sees Ruth in pain and wipes sweat off her forehead with a small cloth.
"Thank you," Ruth mutters, cringing in pain.
The women continue trekking through the forest on their way to the castle. "We're getting close," Mary Margaret announces, recognising their surroundings.
"Aurora, you've got to keep up," Mulan tells the Princess.
"Sorry, but I'm not exactly dressed for the woods. It's cold out here," Aurora replies, trying to keep up with the others more appropriately dressed.
"Then maybe, you should have listened to me and stayed back," She argues, and Emma gives Aurora her red leather jacket.
"Here," Emma offers.
"But I tried to kill your friend," Aurora points out, looking at the blond and taking the jacket.
"Actually, she's my mom. I have a feeling she can take care of herself. And I get it. You're not the only one who's been screwing up lately," She tells her.
"What kind of corset is this?" Sleeping Beauty wonders, admiring the jacket.
"Up here," Mulan announces.
"Is that it?" Emma asks, looking ahead.
"Yeah. That's our home," Mary Margaret smiles, looking out over the cliff, Snow White's decrepit former castle in the distance.
Snow and the others arrive at a small, desert-like basin devoid of any signs of life. "Where's the lake?" Snow asks, looking around.
"You're looking at it," Charming replies mournfully, thinking of his mother. "It's gone."
Henry uses his book as a guide as he finds Regina and Octavia's father's crypt. Using the stolen skeleton keys to get inside, he spies scrape marks along the floor, figuring out the sarcophagus can be moved. Henry pushes it aside, revealing the stairs that lead down to the vault. He climbs down, pausing at the wall of hearts, which gives a low pulsing sound inside their boxes. He goes farther into the vault to several vases and chests around the chamber. Henry opens one of the chests slowly with one of the keys. Two snakes spring out of the box, but David arrives just in time to shut the lid. "Maybe we should've gone with Operation Viper," Charming jokes. "You alright?"
"Yeah. How'd you know I was down here?" Henry asks him, looking at his grandfather.
"Your mum said you asked her to lunch and, when you stood her up, she checked her office, saw her keys missing, figured out the rest. She would've come herself, but she didn't think you'd go with her. Henry, what were you thinking?" He tells him, making the kid feel slightly guilty about his mum.
"I just want them back. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I should be over there with them. Riding horses, learning how to sword fight," The young Mills boy argues, missing the three women.
"I know. I know. It's okay. Because we're going to do this together. Come on, now. You got to get to school, and I got to make sure no one else finds this place," Charming replies, moving him out of the vault.
Lancelot and Prince Charming investigate the sandy floor of the former lake while Snow waits with Ruth by the wagon. "This is my fault," Charming sighs. "This siren who lived here? I killed her. That's why the lake is dry."
"You needn't worry. My mother raised me by a lake. There may yet be water. You just need to know where to look," Lancelot assures him. The two split up, searching the ground, and Lancelot comes across a shell containing a small amount of water. "God in His mercy and her grace."
"You found it?" He questions, moving towards him.
"It's all that's left. Just enough for one sip," The Knight informs him, and they pour the contents of the shell into a canteen.
"Enough to heal my mother?" The Prince asks.
"We shall find out," Lancelot answers, and Snow and Ruth overhear them.
"I want you to have it. That last sip of water – I want you to drink it," Ruth tells Snow quietly so her son doesn't hear them.
"No. No, I couldn't," Snow argues, shaking her head.
"That water can lift your curse. Allow you and my son to have a child," she counters, making Snow frown, wishing she hadn't been put into this situation.
The women arrive at the castle and enter one of the chambers, which appears to be a nursery with a crib and several old toys lying around. Emma recognises the wardrobe in the corner. "Oh my God… I recognise this from Henry's book," Emma says, looking at it.
"Come – we'll stand watch at the gate," Mulan says, moving Aurora out of the room.
"I never thought I'd see this place again. This room… It was your nursery," Mary Margaret tells her, moving around.
"I lived here?" Emma wonders, looking at Snow.
"You never even got to spend a night," Octavia answers, surprising the blond woman. "I was here, remember." Gaining looks from them.
"This is the life I wanted you to have," Mary Margaret says. "I was going to teach you how to walk in here. How to talk, how to dress for your first ball… You never got to do any of it. We never got to be a family."
"We have a family in Storybrooke. And, right now, they need us to get back there. So, how do we get this to work?" Emma asks, deflecting her hope and feelings and gesturing to the wardrobe.
Snow, Charming and Lancelot gather around Ruth. "Why isn't it working?" Charming asks after letting his mother drink from the canteen.
"Wounds take time to heal," Lancelot replies.
"No, no. I've used this magic before. It… It worked instantly. It wasn't enough water. We need more," He argues and starts running to the lake, but Ruth knows why it didn't work.
"Son… Stop," Ruth calls him, making him stop and return to her side. "There's no…more magic here. And I don't want to spend my last moments this way."
"This is all my fault. I am so… Sorry," The Prince sighs.
"For what? For being happy?" She questions, looking at him. "For finding your true love? For your happiness, I would gladly give my life. My only regret is that I won't live to see you marry Snow."
"Shh…" Charming says, trying to calm her down.
"Yes, you will. Lancelot. Does a disgraced member of the Round Table still have the power to perform a wedding?" Snow asks, looking at Lancelot.
Emma, Mary Margaret, and Octavia look over the wardrobe at the castle. "Where's the 'on' switch?" Emma asks, looking around at the enchanted tree.
"It's more complicated than that," Octavia tells her, looking at it and thinking of how she can get it to work.
"We'll have to get it back to the island. Hopefully, someone there has access to enough magic to help Octavia make it work again," Mary Margaret agrees.
"How are we going to carry this thing?" Emma asks, turning to Octavia, and Lancelot enters the room.
"With the help of an old friend," Lancelot replies, making them turn to look at him.
"Lancelot. What are you doing here?" Mary Margaret asks him.
"We heard about the ogre attack, and I had to make sure you were alright," He replies.
"Where are Mulan and Aurora?" Octavia questions, looking at Mary Margaret suspiciously.
"I sent them to find food. Tonight we'll make camp and then, in the morning, we'll head back. So, this is it – the portal you were after," The Knight questions, looking at the wardrobe.
"The same one Emma went through. That's how she skipped the curse," Mary Margaret answers.
"Remarkable…" Lancelot mutters, admiring it.
"Geppetto carved it from an enchanted tree, but there's no magic left," Octavia tells him.
"Well, a portal this powerful… There must be another way to recharge it," He argues, making the magic used suspiciously.
"Why are you so interested in the wardrobe?" Mary Margaret wonders, looking at her old friend.
"Well, I just want you to get home to your husband... and son. Henry. They must miss you," the former Round Table Knight says, making Snow and Octavia draw their swords and point them at Lancelot.
"Stay away from him, Emma. He is not who he says he is," She warns her daughter.
"What are you talking about? Who the hell is he?" Emma asks.
"There's only one person you told Henry's name," Snow reminds her.
"Cora," She mutters, and a puff of purple smoke appears, transforming Lancelot into Cora.
"Mother," Octavia growls.
"Clever girl," Cora smirks, looking at them.
"Where's Lancelot?" Mary Margaret demands.
"He's dead. I killed him a long time ago," She replies.
"And you've been posing as him ever since?" Octavia wonders.
"Well, they'd never listen to me. And besides… Every kingdom needs a hero, don't you think?" Mrs Mills questions, and Mary Margaret lunges at Cora, but she magically throws and pins against the wall. Emma attempts to help her mother, but Cora throws her back too. Octavia rolls her eyes. "Thank you, Snow. I've been looking for a way over for so long." Mary Margaret struggles to breathe, and Emma gets up and, again, tries helping, but Cora summons a rug, wrapping it around her legs. Octavia swipes her hand, moving the carpet away and throwing Emma away. "I never thought the person to help me find it would be you."
"Don't even, mother," Octavia snaps. "I'd never help you. I just want to beat you face to face. They'll just get in the way."
"No. 8, you're very naive sometimes, I do wonder where you learned it," Cora sighs, shaking her head.
"I am anything but naive," she smirks, closing her hand, which makes Cora uncomfortable. "Why are you doing this, mother?"
"I want to see your sister and you. It's been too long. And you know, I would love to meet my grandson, Henry," The red-haired woman argues, struggling to breathe.
"No, you won't," Emma snaps, not wanting her anywhere near her son, and she uses a bullet and piece of wood, creating a spark and starting a fire, burning the wardrobe.
"No!" Cora shouts, pulling the fire from the wardrobe and turning it into a fireball. She flings it towards Emma, but Mulan's sword blocks the shot, and Aurora is behind her.
"Mulan!" Mary Margaret shouts, looking at the warrior.
"We're not done," she warns them, disappearing from the room and leaving them alone. Octavia sighs profoundly and closes her eyes in relief as the flames consume the wardrobe.
"Are you okay?" Emma asks her mother.
"You saved me," Mary Margaret replies, looking at her daughter and Octavia.
"Yeah, well… Where is she?" She wonders, looking for Cora.
"Gone," Octavia answers, moving towards the ashes. She sees the sparkling and conjures a small glass bottle with a leather strap, which she pours the ash into.
"So's our ride home," The Saviour sighs, not seeing the Cruel Princess pocketing the bottle.
Charming lights a candle and places it on a rock above Ruth's grave after marrying Snow, and she tries comforting him. "I'm so sorry. She was all the family you had left."
"No. I still have you. I love you, Snow. And together, we can start a new family. Here – this belonged to her," Charming tells her, pulling out the pendant Ruth showed her earlier. "She would've wanted you to have it. She said that it could tell you what your child will be." He tries putting it above her head, but she pulls back, scared of what it will do.
"Please, don't," She sighs.
"It's just a superstition," The Prince jokes.
"There's something I need to tell you," The Princess says.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Charming asks her, and they look down, noticing the pendant swinging east to west.
"We're going to have a child…" Snow answers.
"What?" He gasps.
"We're going to have a child," She repeats confidently.
"Is there…something I need to know?" The Prince questions, looking at her.
"I mean someday," The fugitive assures her.
Mary Margaret, Emma, Octavia, Mulan, and Aurora stand in the castle's nursery after Cora's departure. "Lancelot was one of the most noble knights I ever knew," Snow mutters, hanging her head.
"He was. Lance was one of a kind," Octavia agrees.
"How could I be so blind? How could I not see that it was Cora?" Mulan scoffs, feeling at fault for the deception.
"Let's be fair – the whole shape shifting thing threw me, too," Emma argues, trying to help the woman.
"What are we going to tell the people on the island?" She wonders.
"The truth. That Lancelot was cut down by a terrible villain," Mary Margaret suggests. "He died an honourable death."
"Cora's still out there. We need to find her. We need to defend what's left of the kingdom," The Warrior argues.
"Who's going to lead us? You?" Aurora wonders, turning to Mulan.
"No. Her," Mulan says, looking pointedly at Mary Margaret.
"I'm glad it's not me," Octavia sighs, earning a scoff from Emma.
"I'm honoured. But Emma, Octavia and I still have to find a way back to Storybrooke," Mary Margaret argues.
"We'll help you. We'll find a way, won't we?" Mulan asks.
"Yes. Perhaps, it will help me channel my anger," Aurora agrees, wanting to help.
"Come," She says, leaving with the Princess.
"I'm, uh, sorry I torched our ride home. I couldn't let her get to Henry. I just-," Emma apologises.
"You had to put Henry first," Mary Margaret assures her, knowing she'd do the same.
"I was angry at you for so long… Wondering how you could choose to let me grow up without you. But then I just… Seeing all this… You gave up everything for me. And you're still doing that. I'm sorry, I'm not good at this. I… I guess I just… I'm not… I'm not used to someone putting me first," She tells her, and Snow embraces her daughter.
"Well, get used to it," Snow tells her, and the three women leave the room; before exiting, Mary Margaret reflects quickly on what could have been. When they leave, Cora reappears, approaching the burned wardrobe and taking a vial of the ashes like their youngest daughter.
Jefferson watches Paige and her classmates as they get off the bus. He hesitates but decides to call out for her, finding the courage to do so. "Grace," he calls, making her turn around and see him. Paige runs towards him and hugs him tightly, missing him greatly.
"Papa! You found me! I knew you would," Paige cries, and Jefferson holds her close, never wanting to let go again.
On Main Street, Henry waits in Emma's yellow bug when David knocks on the window with a bag in hand. "I've been thinking…" David says, getting into the car. If you're going to start helping me, we've got to make sure we do this right. So, I picked these up on my way home." He motions to the bag, which contains two wooden swords.
"Seriously?" Henry beams, growing excited.
"Yeah, you're the grandson of a Prince. I think it's about time you learned how to use a sword," He replies. "Henry, I can't get 'em back without you. So, what do you say? You with me?"
"Can you teach me how to fight a dragon?" The Mills boy asks.
"We'll work our way up to it," Charming replies, and the two get out of the car, preparing to duel. "My liege. En garde!" The two start play fighting on the sidewalk. Meanwhile, King George, otherwise known as Albert Spencer, watches them from a distance in his car.
Chapter Nine - The Crocodile
Season 2 - Episode 4
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.
This is how it happened…
Mr Gold and Belle are in the Pawn Shop. He takes out a small box and opens it, revealing a necklace. "It's, uh… It's very beautiful," Belle stutters, admiring it. So, what's the occasion?" He takes the necklace out of the box and goes to put it around her neck.
"The occasion is us. We haven't really gotten out much since Storybrooke awakened. So, I thought we should see it together," Mr Gold suggests, clasping the necklace. "Wow…"
"Thank you," She replies, and they embrace.
A human Rumpelstiltskin arrives home with a wool basket, calling for his son and wife. "Milah? Bae? I'm home," He calls as he limps inside. "Hey…" A young Baelfire sits at the table alone.
"Papa?" Baelfire says, looking at him.
"Where's mum? …Well, she probably just…lost track of time. Grab your cloak. We'll find her," He tells him, growing worried about his missing wife.
Rumpelstiltskin enters the local tavern and finds Milah gambling and throwing back shots with a group of men. He approaches the table. "Milah. Milah. It's time to go," he tells his wife, who is unhappy about her husband finding her.
"Good. So, go," Milah scoffs.
"Who's this?" Hook asks, looking at the man.
"Ah, that's no one. It's just my husband," She replies, waving Rumpelstiltskin off.
"Oh? Well, he's a tad taller than you described," He jokes.
"Please. You have responsibilities," Rumpelstiltskin begs her, not wanting to leave Baelfire alone outside for much longer.
"You mean, like, being a man and fighting in the Ogre Wars? Other wives became honoured widows, while I became lashed to the village coward. I need a break. Run home, Rumpel. It's what you're good at," Milah snaps and Baelfire emerges from behind his father.
"Mama?" Baelfire questions.
"Bae… You were supposed to wait outside, son," Rumpelstiltskin says, and Milah reluctantly moves, leaving with her husband and son.
Gold enters the house, where Belle is already waiting for him in the kitchen. "Hey," He greets her.
"Hey. What are you doing?" Belle asks him.
"I was, uh… Going to make you breakfast," Gold replies.
"No, in… In the basement. I saw you practising magic," She argues.
"Let's have breakfast," The Dark One suggests, trying to lie his way out of this situation.
"No, we need to talk about this," Beauty snaps, not wanting to be lied to.
"It was just a couple of spells. Nothing to be concerned about," Rumpelstiltskin assures her.
"Okay, then be honest with me. Why did you bring magic here?" She asks him, wanting the truth.
"I've told you – magic is power," Gold answers her, lying a little.
"Why do you need it? Tell me," Belle demands, and he says nothing. "You don't need power, Rumpel. You need courage to let me in." She walks away, leaving him with his thoughts.
At the docks, Rumpelstiltskin boards one of the pirate ships, trying to climb on, but trips and falls on the deck. He looks up and sees Captain Hook standing over him. "On your feet for the Captain," A pirate shouts to the rest of the crew, and two pirates grab Rumpelstiltskin, pulling him to his feet.
"I… I remember you. F-From the bar," Rumpelstiltskin stutters, looking at the man.
"It's always nice to make an impression. Well, where are my manners? We haven't been formally introduced. Killian Jones. Now, what are you doing aboard my ship?" Killian demands, looking at him.
"You have my wife," He replies.
"Well, I've had many a man's wife," Hook retorts.
"No. Y-You… Just… You see… We have a son, and he needs his mother," The weak man pleads with him.
"You see, I have a ship full of men that need companionship," Killian teases him.
"I-I'm begging you. Please let her go," Rumpelstiltskin asks again.
"I'm not much for bartering," He counters. "That said, I do consider myself an honourable man. A man with a code, so… If you truly want your wife back…" He throws a sword in front of Rumpelstiltskin. "All you have to do is take her." Hook holds his sword against the man's throat.
In the mines beneath Storybrooke, David and the dwarves mine for fairy dust with Henry watching them. "Keep swinging, dwarves," Leroy encourages his brothers, and finally, Ruby arrives with a basket of food.
"They find any fairy dust yet?" Ruby asks, looking at Henry.
"No, not yet. But they will. When… When they do, we'll figure out a way to get Mary Margaret, my mum, and aunt Octavia back," Henry tells them.
"I'll be back later with lunch," She promises before leaving, and David stops, going to put on his shirt.
"I hate mine dust," David mutters. "Leroy! If you find anything, I'll be at the Sheriff's station."
"You're taking over as Sheriff?" Leroy questions, looking at Charming.
"Stepping in. Until Emma gets back," He replies.
Some years later, after becoming the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin sits at a table in the corner of a tavern. A man with a floppy red hat enters the bar and sits opposite him. "It really is you," Smee gasps, looking at him. "The Dark One, in the flesh. Or… Whatever that is."
"You've gone to a lot of trouble to meet me. You better hope I agree it's worth my time," Rumpelstiltskin warns him.
"I've heard you'd been looking for something. And, as luck would have it, I'm a man who trades some hard-to-find objects," he replies, lowering his voice to a whisper the next time he speaks. "Like a bean. A magic bean that can transport you between worlds."
"I've been told they no longer exist in this land," The Dark One argues, having already looked for them.
"Not in this land, no. But the ships that dock here often return from far-off lands with treasures they don't always understand," The red-hatted man retorts knowingly.
"And yet, you do?" Rumpelstiltskin questions.
"It's my job. As is knowing the rumours of who might pay the highest price for said treasures," Smee replies.
"And what rumours could they be?" He wonders.
"That you were once a great coward, but that you became the Dark One to overcome that and protect the, uh, son who you lost, despite all." The trader says, making the Dark One angrily hold up his hand and constrict Smee's throat using his magic.
"It's not nice to spread rumours. The bean – where is it?" The Dark One demands.
"I don't have it. But I can get it, I swear," Smee wheezes and Rumpelstiltskin releases his hold on the man's neck. "You haven't heard my price."
After staying at the Diner for a while and talking to Ruby, she heads over to the library to check it out. She tries the front door, but it's locked. The windows are covered with newspaper or bordered up. Belle walks around the back of the library, where a homeless-looking Smee approaches her. "Excuse me, Miss?" Smee calls out to her.
"Oh, you startled me," Belle gasps, clutching her heart.
"I… I was just wondering if you had any spare change?" He asks her.
"Oh, no. Sorry, I… I don't have any money," She replies sadly, wishing she could help him.
"What… What about a friend? Are you meeting anyone here?" The man asks her another question.
"Uh, no. Why?" Beauty wonders, looking at him strangely.
"I just wanted to make sure," Smee replies, grabbing her and covering her mouth with his hand, and then drags her off.
Captain Hook and his drunken crew leave the tavern after Rumpelstiltskin sees them before leaving after he meets with Smee, and they stumble through the streets. A poorly disguised Rumpelstiltskin intentionally bumps into Hook's arm to get his attention. "Hey, you. Stop!" Hook snaps, turning to the Dark One. "Even gutter rats have more manners than you just displayed."
"I-I'm so sorry, sir," Rumpelstiltskin stutters fakely.
"Ah… I was wrong. Not a rat at all. More… More like a crocodile," he teases, getting a glimpse of scaly green skin. He kicks him over while his crew cheers him on. "What's your name, crocodile?" The Dark One gets up, revealing his face. "You… I remember you."
"Always nice to make an impression. Where are my manners? We haven't been properly introduced. Rumpelstiltskin. Or, as others know me, the Dark One." He smirks as Hook's crew begins backing away. "Oh! I see my reputation precedes me."
Mr Gold arrives at Mary Margaret's apartment, carrying a piece of paper, and David, the only one home, answers the door. "May I have a word, Sheriff?" Gold asks.
"Uh, acting Sheriff. And I'm already late on another busy day, cleaning up the mess you made." David retorts.
"My apologies. That was a moment of poor judgement on my part. And it's not lost on me that I'm now here to ask for your help," He replies.
"Well then, it shouldn't be lost on you when I say no," Charming smirks.
"Hear me out first. I'm here to report a missing person," The Dark One tells him, handing David the paper, which turns out to be the mission person poster. "She left my home early this morning, her name is Belle."
"Back in our land, you mentioned you loved someone once. Is-?" David asks, looking at the picture.
"Yes," Rumpelstiltskin answers shortly.
"You also said she died," He adds.
"I'd thought she had," Gold corrects him.
"Well, why don't you just use the tracking spell you gave me to find Jefferson?" The Prince questions.
"It only works if you have something the person owned. I don't," He tells him, needing his help.
"How can you be sure she's gone missing and not… Run away," Charming wonders.
"I can't. Look, the townsfolk are less than sympathetic to my plight. But you… You're in the rather unique position to understand exactly what I'm going through. Will you help me?" Gold asks.
Killian arrives at the designated duelling spot, and Rumpelstiltskin throws a sword down before him. "Pick it up, dearie, and let's begin," He sneers.
"There's no need," Hook replies, and the Dark One appears behind him, taking his sword.
"Sorry, but killing a man with his own sword was just too delicious to pass up," Rumpelstiltskin argues. Killian picks up the sword on the ground, and the two begin duelling. "Ships that pass in the night. Well, at least one ship." The two continue fighting until the Dark One gets the upper hand. Hook ends up on the ground, swordless, and Rumpelstiltskin holds his sword against the man's throat.
"Go on. I'm ready for the sword," The Captain replies.
"No… Do you know what it's like to have your wife stolen from you? To feel powerless to stop it? It feels like having your heart ripped from your chest. Actually, let me show you," Rumpelstiltskin growls, sticking his hand through Hook's cheek, attempting to tear out his heart.
"Stop!" Milah shouts, stopping him and making the Dark One look at her.
"Milah…" He gasps, looking at his wife.
Smee drops Belle off in a room at an unknown location. "Who are you? What… What do you want from me?" Belle asks him, looking around.
"I'm just a man who procures hard to find objects. In this case, the object was you," Smee replies.
"So then who put you up to this?" She wonders, and Moe enters the room.
"Belle," Mr French smiles, hugging his daughter. "Oh, I've missed you, Belle."
"Father…" Beauty smiles, glad to see him again.
David questions one of the townspeople while Mr Gold watches from a distance, and the Prince finishes, joining him. "Do you remember turning a butcher into a pig?" David asks him.
"Can't say that I do. Why?" Mr Gold replies, frowning.
"Well, he does. Apparently, it was his father. I'm beginning to understand why nobody wants to help you," He retorts, rolling his eyes.
"W-Well has he seen Belle?" The Dark One questions.
"Afraid not," The Prince replies.
"Okay, so what's next?" Gold asks, needing to find Belle.
"Granny's. We can see who else you terrorised there," David says.
"Look, uh… Can I ask you a question? A-About you and Mary Margaret? H-How… How does that work?" He wonders nervously, still figuring out how to be around Belle.
"Are you asking dating advice?" Charming questions, looking at him funny.
"Course not, no," The Dark One snaps.
"Honesty. That's how we did it. Hard work, and being honest with one another," David replies.
"Well, I don't lie," Gold argues.
"There's a difference between literal truth, and honesty of the heart. Nothing taught me that more than this curse," He remarks, heading for the Diner.
"Milah…" Rumpelstiltskin gasps, looking at his wife, and finally removes his hand from Hook's chest. "How?"
"Milah, you have to run," Killian warns her.
"No. I'm not leaving without you," Milah argues, looking at him.
"Oh, how sweet. It appears there's more to this tale than I know. Tell it to me, Milah," Rumpelstiltskin teases them hatefully.
"Please, don't hurt him. I can explain," Milah promises.
"Tick tock, dearie. Tick tock," He giggles.
"That first night, when Killian and his crew came into the tavern, he told stories about the places he'd been," She explains. "And I fell in love with him. I didn't mean for it to turn out this way. I didn't know how to tell you the truth. I'm sorry."
"And so, here we are. You've come to save the life of your twoo wuv – the pirate," The Dark One taunts her. "I didn't realise the power of true love before. It is impressive. I'd hate to break it up. Actually, no. I'd love to." He pushes the sword into the side of Hook until Milah jumps in to stop him.
"Wait. I have something you want," The woman tells him, making him look at his wife.
"Well, I find that very difficult to believe," Rumpelstiltskin argues, and she pulls out Smee's red hat. "Where did you get that?"
"You know who I took it from," Milah counters. "I may not know what the Dark One wants with a magic bean, but I have it."
"Oh, I feel a proposal coming on," He hums gleefully.
"The magic bean in exchange for our lives. Deal?" She bargains, looking at Killian.
"I want to see it first," The Dark One demands.
David and Mr Gold question Ruby at the Diner. "Belle, huh? Sorry, doesn't ring a bell," Ruby replies, lying through her teeth.
"Ruby, listen to me. If you've come across her, you've got to tell me," David warns her. "I'll make sure nothing bad happens."
"Yeah, but what about him?" She asks, glancing at Mr Gold.
"I've got him. Trust me," He assures her.
"She was in earlier. She was looking for a job," Red tells him. "I pointed her in the direction of the library."
"Well, you think she went there?" Mr Gold questions, looking at her.
"Don't know. But, when you find her, give her this. She left it in her booth," Ruby says, pulling a sweater from under the counter.
"Well, that's mine. She didn't have anything for the cold," He tells her.
"You sure you'll watch out for her?" She asks, turning to David.
"Yes. Why?" David asks back.
"I think… I think I can find her. Lately, since things changed, I've been a little more sensitive to odours," the waitress informs them.
"Well, you can smell her?" Gold questions.
"I guess it's cause of the wolf thing," Ruby replies, shrugging, needing to get used to everything again.
Using the scent of the sweater, Ruby leads David and Mr Gold to Moe's flower shop. "What's wrong?" David asks, looking at his friend.
"I had her, but, uh… I lost her trail. It must be the flowers. I… I can't track her anymore. I'm sorry," Ruby tells them.
"Don't be. This is her father's shop," Mr Gold assures her. The three of them enter, and Moe confronts them.
"You again. Out! This is a private establishment – you're not welcome!" Mr French shouts, trying to get him to leave.
"Where's Belle?" He demands, glaring at the man.
"I won't let anything happen to her, Moe," David promises him.
"We're just worried," Ruby adds.
"Don't be. She's safe. So you can stop looking," Moe argues, not wanting to lose his daughter again.
"Look, if I could just have the chance to talk to her," Gold asks.
"You will destroy Belle like you destroy everything else. Well, I won't let that happen," He snaps.
"What have you done with her?" The Dark One growls, growing angry.
"There's only one way to get her-!" Mr French sneers and Mr Gold jabs him in the chest.
"What have you done with her?" Rumpelstiltskin demands.
"I have to make her forget about you. No matter the cost. Even if it means she forgets me, too," Moe tells him.
"He's sending her across the town line," Gold informs the others, and they exit the shop with Moe in tow.
"Where are you sending Belle across? You know we have patrols on the town line to make sure no one crosses accidentally. So, how are you planning to pull it off?" David asks him, and Gold lunges at Moe, pinning him against the truck with his cane.
"Where? Where are you sending them across? Tell me!" He shouts.
"Stop it! You're going to kill him," Charming exclaims, prying the Dark One off of Moe. He looks at Moe's hand and sees it's covered in mine dust. "You've been down in the mines. The tunnels—they lead out of town."
Milah supports Hook on her shoulder as they board the ship. "Milah, what happened?" One of the pirates asks, growing worried for their Captain and his lover.
"Fetch some water. And get me that prisoner below deck, along with the goods that he carried. Now!" Milah orders the men.
"Bring up the prisoner!" He shouts, and Rumpelstiltskin boards the ship behind them.
"Well, well. Seems like you finally found a family… You could never have with me," Rumpelstiltskin remarks, looking around.
"Alright, get your sorry arse up there," The pirate snaps, and the crew drags Smee up from below deck. Milah takes the satchel from him, which contains the magic bean. She takes it out of the bag and holds the bean up as evidence for the Dark One. He goes to take it, but Milah throws the bean over to Killian, who clenches it in his hand.
"You asked to see it, and now, you have," Hook snaps, glaring at the crocodile.
"Do we have a deal? Can we go our separate ways?" Milah asks her ex-husband.
"Do you mean, do I forgive you? Can I move on? Perhaps, perhaps. I can see you are twooly in love," Rumpelstiltskin retorts.
"Thank you," She sighs.
"Just one question," He replies.
"What do you want to know?" The dark-haired woman questions.
"How could you leave Bae?" The Dark One wonders and several ropes anchored along the ship magically begin coming undone. "Do you know what it's like, walking home that night-?"
"Rumpel-," Milah tries to say.
"Knowing I had to tell our son-," Rumpelstiltskin snaps.
"Please," She pleads with him.
"That his mother was dead?" He argues.
"I was wrong to lie to you. I was the coward, I-," The wife says.
"You left him! You abandoned him!" The Dark One shouts, growing angry.
"And there's not a day that goes by that I don't feel sorry for that," Milah argues, missing her son.
"Well, sorry isn't enough! You let him go," Rumpelstiltskin growls.
"I let my misery cloud my judgement," She agrees.
"Why were you so miserable?" He asks her.
"Because I never loved you," The dark-haired woman sneers, and Rumpelstiltskin grows angry and sticks his hand through her chest.
"Milah!" Hook shouts, running to save her, but the Dark One uses his magic to bind the Captain to the mast, and he pulls out her heart as everyone watches. "No!" Killian manages to break free from the ropes, causing one of the hooks to fall. He runs over to Milah and gently lays her down on the deck.
"I love you," Milah gasps, and Rumpelstiltskin crushes her heart into dust.
"You may be more powerful now, demon, but you're no lesser coward," He hisses.
"I'll have what I came for, now," Rumpelstiltskin demands.
"You'll have to kill me first," Killian snaps.
"I'm afraid that's not in the cards for you, sonny boy," He replies, drawing his sword and slicing off the man's hand, which he thinks still holds the magic bean. "I want you alive. Because I want you to suffer like I did." The Dark One turns away, but Killain grabs the hook on the deck and stabs Rumpelstiltskin with it, but due to his armour, it doesn't do anything. "Killing me's going to take a lot more than that, dearie."
"Even demons can be killed. I will find a way," The Captain promises.
"Well, good luck living long enough," The Dark One replies before disappearing in a puff of red smoke, leaving behind the hook that Killian picks up.
Smee handcuffs Belle to one of the minecarts on the tracks down in the mines, leading deep inside. "Please! Please, stop! What are you doing?!" Belle shouts, trying to free herself.
"Sending you on a little ride under the town line. Once you cross, you'll forget who you were in the other realm and who you loved," Smee explains, handing her a flashlight. "This should help you find the key. I left it at the bottom of the cart. Good luck." He releases the mine cart, and it begins speeding down the track.
"No, wait! I'm begging you! Please don't! Don't do this! Please!" She pleads as she speeds away and searches for the key at the bottom of the cart. She finally finds it but accidentally drops it on the ground. The cart continues down the track until, suddenly, it stops. Along the stream of magic, Mr Gold is at the end, pulling the cart back up the track until it reaches the starting point, where Mr Gold, David, Moe and Ruby are waiting. The handcuffs magically break, releasing her.
"That is seriously… Wow," Ruby compliments, looking at the mine cart.
"Belle, are you alright?" Mr Gold asks her.
"Yeah. I, uh… I think so," Belle replies, shaking.
"You remember who I am?" He questions.
"I do, Rumpelstiltskin. I… I remember," She tells him, and he hugs her, but she doesn't return the embrace.
"Belle, what's wrong?" Rumpelstiltskin asks her.
"Thank you for what you just did, but that doesn't change that you're too cowardly to be honest with me," Beauty says sharply.
"Well, Belle, that's just-," Gold tries explaining.
"I tried to tell them that, Belle. Come with me, darling," Mr French argues, turning to his daughter.
"After what you just tried to do to me? You're no better, Father," Belle snaps. "You don't get to decide what I do or how I feel. I do. If either of you cared about me, you would've listened. I don't want to see either of you again. Ever."
At Granny's Diner, Ruby serves Belle a plate of food after her ordeal in the mines, feeling sorry for the woman. "This one is a classic. The syrup goes on the pancakes. It's, um, round things… But I kind of like it when it gets on everything," Ruby tells her, trying to be helpful.
"You know, um… Thank you. I-I mean not just for this, but… For everything," Belle replies, looking at her.
"No worries. And stay here until you're on your feet. Granny will be fine with it," She says. "Oh! I almost forgot. Someone dropped this off for you at the front desk." She gives Belle a small box and opens it, revealing a key labelled 'library'.
Belle finishes her food quickly and heads for the library, excited to use the key. She opens the door and briefly looks around inside until Mr Gold reveals himself. "We may sit in our library, and yet be in all corners of the earth," Gold says.
"You gave me the key," Belle replies, looking at him.
"I heard of your interest, and I, uh… I made some inquiries. There's an apartment for the caretaker if you want it," He informs her, though he wishes she'd come home with him.
"If… If this is some way to win me back after everything you-," She argues, glaring at him softly.
"No, that's… That's… That's not why I'm here. I came because you're right… About me. I am a coward," The Dark One tells her. "I have been my entire life. I tried to make up for it by collecting power, and the power became so important that I couldn't let go. Not even… And that meant losing the most important person in my life."
"Your son," Beauty says, finally getting it.
"Baelfire, is his name. After he left, I dedicated myself to finding him. I went down many, many paths. Until I found a curse that could take me to the land where he'd escaped," Rumpelstiltskin explains.
"Here," Belle confirms.
"And I found myself in this little town with only one thing left to do—wait for the curse to be broken so that I could leave and find him," he adds.
"But instead of looking for him, you… You brought magic," She argues lightly.
"Because I'm still a coward. Magic has become a crutch that I can't walk without. And, even if I could, I now know I can never leave this place," The Dark One explains.
"Because, anyone who leaves, forgets the people they love. So, when you go to look for Baelfire, you won't know him," The brunette woman remarks.
"Magic comes with a price. Belle, I have to break this new curse. That's why I was using magic. That night you saw me down in the basement… I have lost so much that I loved. I didn't want to lose you again…without you knowing everything. Goodbye, Belle," Gold says, going to leave, but she stops him.
"Do you, uh… Have you ever had a hamburger?" Belle asks him, making him look back at her.
"Yes, of course," He answers, looking at her.
"Well, uh, I haven't. But I hear that Granny's makes a great one. Maybe… Maybe we could try it sometime?" Beauty suggests.
"I would like that," Beast replies, smiling a little.
Rumplestiltskin places Hook's severed hand on his desk with several vials and a picture of Baelfire, and he slowly pulls the fingers open one by one but soon realises that the hand is empty. "No… He tricked me!" He shouts, pushing the deks over and spilling the contents onto the floor.
Aboard Killian's ship, he holds the magic bean while the crew tosses Milah's wrapped body overboard. Smee, still bound and gagged, attempts to speak. "Hey! Hey!"
"Allow him to speak," Hook states, and one of the pirates removes the gag and unties him.
"I want my bean," Smee demands.
"Let me tell you how it works on my ship—I make the demands, you follow them. Bean's now mine," he informs the man.
"You have to give me something for it," The trader argues.
"Oh, I will. Your life. A chance to join my crew," The Captain offers.
"So, instead of the promise of eternal life, I get to scrub blood off your decks? How is that right?" Smee questions.
"Well, what if I was to tell you I was about to set sail to a land where none of us will ever grow old? Where I can discover how to get my revenge on Rumpelstiltskin," Killian retorts.
"Guess I could live with that," He agrees, knowing he won't get out of it alive otherwise.
"Good. What's your name, sailor?" Hook asks him.
"William. William Smee. Can I have my hat?" William replies, and Killian gestures to the pirates with Smee's hat, who tosses it over.
"Well, Mr Smee, welcome aboard," Killian smirks, taking the magic bean and throwing it into the ocean. A giant whirlpool opens up, flashing lights as it grows bigger. "Hold on and get ready to set sail, mates. There's bumpy seas ahead!"
"What's the name of the place we're headed, Captain?" Smee asks, holding tightly to the ship's side, and Killian attaches the hook to his hand.
"Neverland," He answers, grinning.
Mr Gold quickly interrogates Smee in a basement, needing answers. "You're probably wondering why I brought you here. I found this in the mines, Mr Smee," He holds up the red hat.
"I am so sorry, I didn't-," Smee shudders, looking at the Dark One.
"I'm not interested in apologies. I'm interested in information. About the man you work for," Gold sneers.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know about Moe," He promises, shaking.
"No, no. Not about Moe – your Captain. Where is he?" The Dark One demands.
"I've never seen him in Storybrooke, I swear. For some reason, when the curse hit, it… It didn't take him," The hat-wearing man answers.
"Then, where is he?" Gold wonders.
Hook peers at the haven from a distance through a telescope when Cora joins him. "Hello, Hook," She greets him.
"Hello, Cora," Killian greets her back. "You told me you had something important you needed to show me." She holds up the vial of wardrobe dust. "Sparkly dirt. Wonderful."
"Just the remains of a magical wardrobe that can travel between worlds," Cora replies, smirking.
"Is there enough to get us where we need to go?" he asks, looking at her.
"Not quite. But it's a start," She tells him.
"We're almost ready to set sail. What's our port of destination?" Hook asks her.
"Storybrooke," Mrs Mills answers.
"Hm, curious name. Is that where…" Killian wonders.
"They are. And so is he," Cora tells him.
"Excellent. You'll be able to see your daughters, and I can skin myself a crocodile," He grins, thinking of his revenge.