Cruel Princess (No 20)

by DeadGirlEtarnal

Zelena isn't the only sister to the Evil Queen Regina, she has a younger sister, Octavia, and she's nothing like her older sister, though known for her fake alias, the Cruel Princess. Once in Storybrooke, things change maybe for the better for the two sisters, though the trouble seems to worsen once the Saviour steps into their town. Only Ocs.

11. Chapter Ten - Hurts like Betrayal

Chapter Ten - The Doctor

Season 2 - Episode 5

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…

Emma, Mary Margaret, Octavia, Mulan, and Aurora walk back to the haven after their failed attempt to get the others home. "I don't know if I can do this. I'm not a very good liar," Aurora argues.

"Oh, it's not really a lie, Aurora," Mary Margaret assures her. "Lancelot did die an honourable death, and Cora did escape. All true. Just leave the particulars to us. There's no reason to cause unnecessary panic amongst your people."

"I'm not so sure it's unnecessary," she replies, and Mulan notices the guard towers are empty.

"Wait. The tower—we always have sentries guarding the entrance. Stay close," Mulan warns them. The women enter the area below the guard tower, where they find piles of corpses strewn across the field.

"Oh my God…" Emma gasps.

"This can't be… Our land… We were protected here – hidden. How did the ogres find us?" She wonders, and Octavia notices the bodies have bloody chests.

"Ogres didn't do this," Octavia states, thinking of her mother and Regina's fondness for ripping out hearts.

"What?" The warrior asks, turning to her.

"Cora did," Mary Margaret agrees. "Their hearts… They were ripped out. This is her magic, twisted and evil. We have to stop her."

"Too late. She killed them. She killed them all," Mulan sighs, looking around.

"Well, we have to stop her before she hurts anyone else!" Octavia snaps, not wanting her mum to win.

"Hey! Hey! Look!" Emma shouts, rushing towards a stack of bodies and debris, under which she sees someone waving their hand.

"There's someone under there," Aurora announces, helping Emma free the person, who turns out to be Killian. "He's alive."

"Please," Killian says, gasping for breath.

"It's okay," Mary Margaret assures him.

"Please, help me," He pleads as they free him from the bodies.

"It's okay. You're safe now. We won't hurt you," Octavia promises, looking at him as she walks over to join the others.

"Thank you. Thank you…" Hook replies, looking at her and slowly admiring her.

Outside Granny's Diner, Dr Whale approaches David, needing to talk to him. "You - we need to talk," Dr Whale states, and David punches him. "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"Sleeping with my wife," David snaps.

"Kathryn?" He questions.

"Snow," Charming corrects him.

"Look, I didn't know, alright? I was cursed," Whale argues.

"Yeah, I got it. What do you want?" David asks, calming down a little.

"So… Is it true? People are saying that you're trying to find a way to build a portal back to your land, because that's where you think Emma, Mary Margaret, and Octavia are – that they're alive." The Doctor questions.

"Well, the whispers can stop. I have no secrets from this town. That's exactly what I'm doing," He confesses, not wanting to keep secrets from the town.

"But the land, it's… It's gone. Destroyed by the curse," Dr Whale argues, having heard the same as everyone else.

"Apparently not," The Prince counters.

"Well, you having any luck?" He asks him.

"Not yet. We're working on it," David replies, wanting to get home.

"Does that mean that all the lands still exist?" The Doctor questions, hoping to go home himself.

"Possibly," Charming confirms.

"So, the Queen lied to us. Again. Are you sure?" Whale asks, needing a firm answer.

"Remember who we're talking about," David replies, walking off.

Archie answers the door to his office, finding Regina standing there, though she doesn't look too happy to be there. "Regina. Are you here to see me?" Archie asks, looking at the Evil Queen.

"I've been trying to keep my promise to Henry, but it's been difficult…" Regina confesses, struggling to talk to him.

"To not use magic," He adds.

"It's been two days," She tells him.

"That's an excellent start. Come on in," The Shrink encourages her. Regina enters the office and sits on the couch across from Archie.

"It's just that, magic is the way I've always gotten everything," The Evil Queen tells him.

"It sounds like it's also the way you've lost everything. Regina, this is your chance to start over – to earn Henry," Archie replies, and Dr Whale barges into the room. "Dr Whale, this is highly inappropriate."

"Send me back," Dr Whale demands, glaring at the woman.

"Excuse me?" Regina questions, looking at him calmly.

"To my land. Send me back to my brother," He orders her.

"Why don't you check the 'missing' board like everyone else?" She quips back at him.

"Your curse only brought the living," The Doctor argues.

"Well then, I'm sorry for your loss. But I'm afraid I can't send anyone anywhere," The former Mayor counters.

"Can't or won't?" Dr Whale questions angrily.

"Dr Whale, I have to insist, please. Go!" Archie demands, and Dr Whale exits with the shrink and shuts the door behind him. "Sorry. What you said isn't entirely true, is it?"

"I'm sorry?" Regina asks, looking at him.

"About the curse only taking the living. The grave of your father's here, right?" He argues.

"I don't care about Whale or his brother. I brought who I wanted," She snaps.

"Anyone else? If you want help, you have to try and trust me. Stopping magic is a lot harder than starting," The Shrink replies calmly.

Regina and Rumpelstiltskin have their magic lesson in the forest by the castle, practising on a black unicorn. "Now, show me what you've learned. Immobilise it," Rumpelstiltskin tells her, and she listens, magically freezing the unicorn.

"There. I did it," Regina smiles, feeling proud of herself.

"Excellent work, my apprentice. Now there's just one last tiny, tiny, teeny little detail. Take its heart," He orders her.

"Like what my mother did to-," She replies, thinking of Daniel.

"Oh, your true love. Indeed. Then, you already know how it's done," The Dark One retorts, and the Queen slowly inches her hand towards the unicorn's chest. "Gentle. If you do it right, no harm will befall it. Unless, of course, you will it." Regina withdraws her hand.

"I can't. It's innocent," The dark-haired woman argues, stopping.

"Nothing is innocent," Rumpelstiltskin tells her and removes the unicorn's heart, which stops the immobilisation spell. "Now, it belongs to me. You see when you take a heart, it becomes enchanted. Stronger than a normal heart. You're not hurting the beast – you're controlling it. Now, show me you know what to do with that power," He explains, tossing the heart to Regina. "Kill it."

"What?" Regina gasps, looking at the still-beating heart in her hand.

"You've seen it done; now do it yourself. Show me, you can take the next step in your training. Crush it," he demands. She slowly squeezes the heart but stops when she sees the unicorn wither on the ground in pain. "Dearie, dearie, dearie. And I had such high hopes."

"And I didn't sign up to kill unicorns," She snaps at him.

"Magic is power. Until you can take power, you're not learning anything. Do you want me to teach you or not?" He questions.

"Yes," She answers.

"Then there's one simple question for you to ponder," The crocodile tells her.

"I'll tell you anything," The Queen says.

"I don't need the answer – you do. What's holding you back?" Rumpelstiltskin wonders, thinking of his former student, her younger sister.

Regina and Archie sit in his office together as they continue their session. Regina flashes back to when she put the enchantment spell on Daniel's body in the Enchanted Forest. "His name was Daniel," Regina gulps, hating the overwhelming sadness she gets from talking about him. "I preserved his body with an enchantment spell. He's dead, but frozen. And I've kept him in my family mausoleum."

"Because you couldn't let go of him. If you can't let go of the past, Regina, it's doomed to haunt you," Archie warns her, feeling slightly sorry for her.

"You know what? I think this has been quite enough," She replies, getting up and heading for the door. Archie tries to stop her.

"Regina, wait. I… I can help you," He promises her.

"I doubt it," The Evil Queen scoffs, leaving.

That evening, Regina drives home during a thunderstorm. While driving, a car cuts her off, and she stops abruptly. Looking up, she sees Daniel staring at her from across the street. "Daniel?" She gasps, briefly looking away as if trying to will herself to believe she isn't seeing him, but when she looks back, Daniel is gone.

The next day, David and Henry arrive at the local stables in David's truck, and he gets out. "Alright!" He beams, and Henry follows. David notices the kid yawning as they enter the stables early in the morning. "Come on. What's with the yawn? This isn't school. It should be fun."

"I couldn't sleep," Henry replies, thinking of his strange dream.

"Hey, I know. I miss 'em, too," He says, feeling sympathetic. "Now, just think how happy Emma, Snow, and Octavia will be when they come home to find that you've become a proper knight. Say hello to your steed." They come to a row of stalls housing the horses.

"Is he mine?" The Mills boy asks, looking at the beautiful steed.

"This one's yours," Charming confirms.

"Really? So… How do I get on him?" Henry asks, looking at the horse.

"Oh, you're not riding today," David corrects him.

"I'm not?" He questions, looking at David.

"No. There's much to learn before you hop in the saddle," The Prince argues.

"Like what?" The young Mills boy asks.

"Well, every morning, you'll have to muck out his stall. Then, you'll brush him and feed him. After school, you'll do it again. Every day, twice a day," David tells him, shocking the kid, who's never looked after an animal before.

"That's not riding, that's babysitting," Henry exclaims, not thinking about the responsibility of having a horse would be so much.

"Ah. Horse Sitting. It builds an essential bond. The trust between knight and steed," He corrects him.

"Okay. But, when will I ride him?" The Mills boy asks, looking back at the horse.

"When the horse tells you," Charming answers. "I'm going to go check in on the dwarves – see how the mining's coming. I'll pick you up later."

"So… Anything you want to tell me?" Henry asks the horse, making David laugh a little as he leaves.

Rumpelstiltskin spins straw at the wheel while the Queen prepares potions, continuing their lesson. "Are you ready to begin?" Regina asks him.

"Oh, I've been ready. The question is, are you?" Rumpelstiltskin counters.

"Yes, I am," She answers firmly.

"Tell me why you're really here," He tells her.

"For power-," The Queen answers, but he stops her.

"Stop wasting my time! What is it you want? Come on. You've done all your soul searching. Now tell me," The Dark One snaps, growing tired of her playing with magic and not taking it seriously.

"Can you teach me how to use magic to bring back the dead?" Regina asks him.

"That's what this is about? The stable boy?" Rumpelstiltskin questions, looking at her.

"I want true happiness," She tells him.

"Then find it elsewhere, dearie. Magic can do much, but not that. Dead is dead," He replies, waving his hand.

"Then I am lost," The dark-haired woman sighs.

"And I've had my time wasted. I'm sorry but, uh, transcending death is beyond even my reach," The crocodile replies. Jefferson enters the room with Octavia, talking about something, when they see Rumpelstiltskin and Regina.

"I thought nothing was beyond your reach?" Jefferson questions and notices Regina. "…Busy. Should we…"

"No, no. Nothing important going on here," Rumpelstiltskin argues, turning to Jefferson and Octavia.

"Rumpelstiltskin…" Regina calls him.

"Ignore her," He snaps.

"We got what you wanted," Octavia tells him, and Jefferson hands the Dark One a crystal ball.

"What about the slippers?" The Dark One questions.

"Oh. Couldn't find 'em. Heard talk they've already been moved to another land," Jefferson tells him.

"That's what I needed to get to that other land," Rumpelstiltskin argues.

"Well, come with me in my hat. I'm sure we can work something out," He retorts.

"No, no. Your hat only transports between magical realms. I need to get to a land without magic," He snaps.

"Why would anyone want that?" Octavia wonders, never hearing this before.

"My business," The Dark One replies.

"You want the ball or not?" Jefferson questions, and he takes the crystal ball.

"Mm… Yes. Help yourself to as much gold as you deem appropriate," Rumpelstiltskin says to Jefferson before turning to Regina. "Oh, and you. You can let yourself out. Our work is done." Jefferson walks off, heading for the gold. Octavia stays behind, needing to talk to the Dark One.

"Wait, so that's it? You're not going to teach me anymore?" Regina asks, stomping over to him.

"So long as you harbour foolish notions of bringing back the dead, so long as you live in the past, you'll never find your future. Teaching you is a waste of time," He waves her off and turns to Octavia, talking to her quietly about something.

"Pardon me…for eavesdropping, but I think you need to look elsewhere for assistance," Jefferson offers the Queen.

"What do you know about it?" Regina asks, turning to the man.

"I hear things," He replies. "Jefferson's the name, and I'm a man who travels and sees much. And I know the man who can do what you want – bring back the dead. He's, um, you might say, a wizard. I can bring him to you."

"At what price?" She questions.

"Always a price, indeed. So, here's mine. Like I said, I'm a man of travels, and I've made many enemies along the way and I'd like a royal passport so I can have free reign to traverse your kingdom," The Mad Hatter tells her, needing her help now that she's Queen.

"How would I do that?" The dark-haired woman asks, still getting used to being Queen.

"Well, you're the Queen, aren't you?" Jefferson retorts.

"That's right, I am. And this wizard… Can he really bring someone back from the dead?" Regina asks him, not wanting to be played by him.

"Well, if he can't, no one can," He replies, earning a look from Rumpelstiltskin.

Mulan and Emma watch Hook from a distance as Octavia talks with Mary Margaret. "Have you seen him before?" Emma asks.

"Yes, I've seen him around," Mulan answers. "He's a blacksmith. Came to our camp a couple months ago. Said he lost his hand in an ogre attack. Why would Cora leave a survivor?"

"It's messy. Doesn't make sense," She muses, looking at him as Aurora tends to him.

"You think he's lying?" The warrior questions.

"I think Cora's tricked us before. I don't want that to happen again. Here you go," The Saviour says, handing him a cup as Mary Margaret and Octavia join them.

"I can't thank you enough for your kindness. Fortune, it seems, has seen fit to show me favour," Killian comments.

"An island full of corpses. You're the only one to escape. How exactly did that happen?" Emma questions him.

"She attacked at night – slaughtered everyone in one fell swoop," He tells them. "When she started ripping out people's hearts, I hid under the bodies of those who had already been killed. Pretended to be dead myself. Mercifully, the ruse worked."

"So much for fortune favouring the brave," Octavia laughs, making him look at her.

"It was all I could do to survive," The Captain replies, making her smirk back at him.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I'm pretty good at knowing when someone is lying to me," Emma warns him.

"I'm telling you the truth," Killian assures her, but Emma knows better.

"We should leave here in case Cora decides to come back," Mulan suggests.

"We should start searching for a new portal back to Storybrooke," Mary Margaret adds. "I only got about five minutes with my husband, not to mention my grandson."

"You have a grandson?" Hook asks, looking at Snow, who seems too young to be a grandmother.

"Long story," Octavia says, waving him off.

"Well, I know this land well. I can guide you," He suggests, and Emma draws Aurora's dagger, holding it to Killian's throat.

"You're not going to guide us anywhere, until you tell us who you really are," Emma replies, glaring at him.

At the Queen's castle, Jefferson and Regina walk through the halls. "Where is he, this wizard?" She asks him. "You promised him to me."

"Indeed. And off we shall go to see him. But I warn you – be cautious," Jefferson warns her.

"Why? Is he dangerous?" She questions.

"Not to us. But bear in mind, he's never been to a world like this before. He's unfamiliar with our ways—with our magic," he tells her.

"All I care about are his ways and if they will do what I require," The Queen replies.

"Well, there's only one way to find out. May I present to you… Your salvation," The Mad Hatter says, leading her outside with a man awaiting.

"You're the wizard?" Regina questions, looking at the man.

"I prefer doctor. But you're welcome to call me whatever makes you comfortable," Frankenstein replies curtly.

"Very well…Doctor. You understand why you've been brought here?" She asks him.

"Of course. Now… Show me the patient," he says, wondering what's in store.

Regina and Jefferson bring Frankenstein to the room where Daniel's body is magically preserved. "It's remarkable," The Doctor compliments. "It's as if his last breath was drawn just moments ago."

"A preservation spell. Can you bring him back?" Regina informs him.

"Perhaps. Let's take a look," Frankenstein says, making an incision along Daniel's hand and squeezing out a bit of blood. He rubs the sample between his fingers. "It's wonderful. His condition is ideal. Apart from being dead, that is."

"Just how many times have you done this, doctor?" She asks him, intrigued by the way he works.

"You didn't tell her?" He questions, looking at Jefferson.

"Tell… Tell me? Tell me what?" The Queen questions, looking between the men.

"The procedure is experimental. Success is yet to occur. But if certain conditions are met, I'm optimistic," The Doctor explains.

"Optimistic?" Regina exclaims.

"Just hear him out," Jefferson offers, trying to calm her down.

"What kind of charlatan are you?" She demands, turning to the Doctor.

"I am no such thing. I was told the last crucial piece of the puzzle exists in this land," Frankenstein explains.

"What else do you need?" The dark-haired woman asks him.

"A heart. It's a fragile organ, and I need a strong one. I've searched the far reaches of my realm for one with the fortitude to stand the shock of my procedure," He informs her. "None have survived. But they say in your land, there are hearts transformed by magic. Hearts made so powerful, they glow."

"That's why you've come here?" Regina questions.

"I need this for my work. So, tell me – how do you change these hearts? How do you enchant them?" The Doctor asks her.

"Those who practise the dark arts do it by ripping the organ out of the living while it still beats," Jefferson tells him.

"Mmhmm. And you can do this?" Frankenstein questions, looking at the Queen.

"No," Regina answers, not wanting to become like her mother.

"You assured me that this Queen was some powerful sorceress," He says, turning to Jefferson.

"I will not use magic for evil," She snaps.

"Well, if you want your fiance back, then you're going to have to find someone who will," Jefferson tells her, trying to get her to help.

"Have I wasted my time here?" Frankenstein questions, looking at them.

"No. I know exactly who can help us. I know where to get a heart," Regina argues.

Regina, Jefferson, and Frankenstein stand in front of a large fireplace at the castle. "This… Was my mother's," Regina informs them.

"How sweet. But I'm not interested in heirlooms," Frankenstein retorts.

"Oh, I believe you will be. Listen," She replies.

"To a fireplace?" He questions.

"Just listen," The Queen tells him, and the faint sound of beating hearts can gradually be heard.

"Where is that coming from?" Jefferson asks.

"Her vault," Regina tells him and waves her hand, transforming the fireplace into an entrance. They enter the vault, unaware they're being watched by Octavia. Regina leads them to a room where the walls are lined with boxes containing hearts. "Take your pick."

"These are all hearts?" Frankenstein wonders, looking at the boxes lining the walls.

"My mother was a collector," She says.

"Whose hearts are these?" Jefferson asks.

"I have no idea. She took so many, caused so much pain," The dark-haired woman sighs, hating what her mother did. "It was impossible to keep track. She was a monster." Frankenstein pulls one of the boxes from the wall, opens the lid, and peers at the heart.

"Finally. After all this time. It's perfect," Frankenstein announces, smirking.

Mulan ties Killian to a tree in the woods away from the haven while Emma, Mary Margaret, Aurora, and Octavia stand by. "I already told you. I'm just a blacksmith," Hook argues, trying to free himself from the ropes.

"Sure you are," Emma scoffs and whistles, having a plan. "You don't want to talk to us? Maybe, you'll talk to the ogres while they rip you limb from limb." They can all hear the ogres beginning their approach. "Come on," The women go to leave, but Killian calls out to them, making them stop.

"You… You can't just leave me here like this!" He shouts at them.

"What if he's telling the truth?" Aurora asks, looking at Emma.

"He's not," Emma assures her.

"Good for you! You bested me. I can count the amount of people who've done that on one hand," Killian congratulates them.

"That supposed to be funny? Who are you?" Octavia asks him, moving towards the Captain.

"Killian Jones, but most people have taken to call me by my more colourful moniker – Hook," He tells them.

"Hook…" Mary Margaret wonders, knowing the name.

"Check my satchel," Hook tells them.

"As in, Captain Hook?" Emma questions.

"Ah, so you've heard of me," Killian smirks at the blond, though his attention is on Octavia.

"You better hurry up. They're getting closer. So, unless you want to be dinner, you better start talking," She warns him.

"Cora wanted me to gain your trust, so I could learn everything there is to know about your Storybrooke. She didn't want any surprises when she finally got over there," He replies.

"She can't get there. We destroyed the wardrobe," The blond woman argues.

"Ah, but the enchantment remains. Cora gathered the ashes. She's going to use them to open up a portal. Now, if you'll kindly cut me loose," The Captain explains.

"No. We should leave him here to die. To pay for all the lives that he took," Mulan snaps.

"That was Cora, not me," Killian argues.

"Let's go," Emma agrees, and the women head off again, but Hook stops them.

"Wait. Wait! You need me alive," he shouts.

"Why?" Octavia asks him.

"Because we both want the same thing – to get back to your land," Hook suggests.

"You would say anything to save yourself. Why are we supposed to believe you now?" Emma asks him.

"I arranged for transport with Cora. But, seeing how resourceful you are, I'll offer you the same deal. I'll help you, if you promise to take me along," Killian suggests.

"How are you going to help us get home?" She questions.

"The ashes will open a portal, but, to find your land, she needs more. There's an enchanted compass. Cora seeks it. I'll help you obtain it before she does," He informs them, and Octavia nods as Mary Margaret looks at her, confirming their suspicions.

"So, Cora won't make it to Storybrooke, and we'll be one step closer to getting home," The Saviour agrees.

"Sounds too good to be true," Octavia argues, trying to get him to be deterred.

"There's only one way to find out," Killian says, looking at her.

"You tell me one thing, and whatever you say, I better believe it – why does Captain Hook want to go to Storybrooke?" Emma asks him.

"To exact revenge on the man who took my hand… Rumpelstiltskin," he confesses, and Octavia remembers the story well, though she guesses some of it is a lie.

During a thunderstorm, Frankenstein sets up a tent in the middle of a field to do his experiment. Daniel's body lies inside. Jefferson and Regin wait outside while Frankenstein comes out to fetch the heart. "The heart, Your Majesty," The Doctor requests, and she hands him the box containing the heart. "Thank you. Now, please - wait here. The procedure is one I must perform alone." Frankenstein goes back into the tent, beginning the procedure. Regina and Jefferson watch the shadows through the tent.

"What's he doing back there? Magic?" Regina wonders as she watches.

"He says he wields power greater than magic," Jefferson tells her.

"Really? Why won't he let us see?" She asks.

"In his land, there's much we don't understand—or can't," he replies. If he can't achieve what you seek, Rumpelstiltskin was right. It can't be done." Lightning crashes and Frankenstein appears, plunging the heart into Daniel's chest. Then he exits the tent again.

"Well?" The Queen asks him.

"I'm sorry. I failed. The heart wasn't strong enough. It couldn't withstand the procedure," Frankenstein lies to her.

The women travel through the forest with Hook in tow, trying to get as far away from the village and Cora as possible. Hook leads them to their next destination: to get Emma, Mary Margaret, and Octavia back to Storybrooke. "Up ahead. We'll find the compass just over the ridge," Killian instructs them.

"Do you get the feeling he's leading us exactly where Cora wants us? That this whole thing's a trap?" Mary Margaret questions, looking at her daughter.

"It's definitely a trap. As long as we know they're trying to play us, we can-," Emma argues.

"Stay one step ahead of them," Octavia agrees.

"Exactly," She nods, and they come to the forest's edge, where they see a beanstalk in the distance.

"Let me guess – the compass is up there?" The Cruel Princess questions, looking at it.

"Oh, yeah," Killian smirks.

"So, how do we get to it?" Emma asks.

"It's not the climb you need to worry about. It's the giant at the top," He warns her.

"I hate giants sometimes," Octavia groans, not having a good history with some giants, though, like anything, there are good and bad everywhere.

Regina comes across Rumpelstiltskin and his new apprentice practising in the forest. "Who's this?" She asks, looking at them.

"Ah, your replacement, of course. I needed someone more dedicated," Rumpelstiltskin informs her.

"Dedicated?" Regina questions and rips the new apprentice's heart, crushing it to dust in her hand.

"Now… Where were we?" He laughs, seeing his plan come to life.

Regina knocks on Archie's office door again after having to let Daniel go, and Archie answers. "You're back," He states.

"I used magic," Regina tells him.

"Why don't you come in and tell me what happened?" Archie encourages her softly.

Jefferson leads Frankenstein through the woods until they reach their destination. "Enough. I need to be taken home. Now, I have work to do, and I believe our deal is done," Frankenstein tells him.

"The deal isn't done until he says it's done," Jefferson argues, and finally, Rumpelstiltskin arrives.

"Now, now. Patience, please. Our transaction is, uh, nearly complete," Rumpelstiltskin confirms.

"And are you satisfied with the results?" Frankenstein questions.

"She did seem rather… Heartbroken," He replies, giggling.

"She is. She bought my failure," The Doctor adds.

"You should've seen her tears," Jefferson comments, feeling slightly sorry for the Queen as he knows Octavia well.

"I've seen the aftermath. Impressive," Rumpelstiltskin remarks.

"Now… My property," Frankenstein demands.

"Yeah, here it is," Jefferson says, handing him a box containing the heart.

"You'll excuse me if I check," He adds, opening the lid to find the heart beating inside. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

"Oh, the pleasure was mine. Thanks to your efforts, I've made my monster. Now, I do hope you'll be able to make yours," Rumpelstiltskin retorts, grinning.

"I'm not making a monster," The Doctor argues, thinking of his brother.

"Sure you're not. Good luck," The Dark One replies.

"If these hearts are as strong as you say, I won't need luck," Frankenstein retorts.

"Oh, just magic," Rumpelstiltskin offers.

"No. What I'm going to accomplish goes far beyond magic," He argues.

"And yet, you need a magical heart to do it," The crocodile counters.

"So small minded. I need my powers to transcend the limitations of your magic," The Doctor tells him.

"This must be quite a land you hail from if you think your abilities are more powerful," Rumpelstiltskin frowns.

"They are," Frankenstein replies.

"Care to wager? I suspect, someday, you'll see it my way," He smirks, seeing something.

"I doubt it. Now, may we go?" Victor asks.

"Careful, dearie. Just remember – whatever it is you traffic in, it comes with a price," The Dark One agrees, looking at Jefferson. He throws his hat on the ground, forming a purple vortex.

"We'll see," Frankenstein agrees, and they jump into the portal.

"Rumpelstiltskin!" He hears his name being shouted, and he turns to see Octavia angrily storming towards him. Once she's upon him, she punches him across the face. "I won't tell Regina what you did, but be assured, if you ever do anything like that to her again. I will find the Dagger and take over as the next Dark One." Octavia threatens him before storming back off.

Dr Whale enters the Pawn Shop with a cooler containing his severed arm, thanks to Daniel. "When they say I charge an arm and a leg, that's meant as a figure of speech," Mr Gold teases the man.

"Put it back," Dr Whale demands, glaring at the Dark One.

"You want me to reattach your arm?" He questions, gesturing to the missing arm.

"Can you do it?" The Doctor asks him.

"Of course. But first, tell me why," The Dark One replies.

"Because I want to use it again," Dr Whale retorts.

"Obviously. I meant, why bring that stable boy back from the dead? Why now?" Rumpelstiltskin asks him.

"I thought… I thought that if I helped her, she would return me to my world. I want to see my brother – to try to bring him back again," He tells him, thinking of his past with his dear brother.

"Again?" Mr Gold questions.

"The first time ended badly. I need to return and try it once more," Frankenstein argues.

"Well, it seems that's rather beyond her abilities. My condolences," He replies.

"Now, my arm. You said you can do it," Dr Whale demands.

"Oh, yes. But there's a difference between can, and will," The Dark One argues.

"Name your price," He sighs, knowing all magic comes with a prince.

"Say it," Mr Gold smirks.

"Say what?" Dr Whale questions.

"You know what. You came here, not the hospital. So say it," He replies, grinning.

"I need magic," The Doctor says, gritting his teeth.

"That's all I needed to hear," The Dark One replies, waving his hand, and Dr Whale's arm magically reattaches. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, uh, Victor."

Frankenstein returns to his realm with the heart. He enters his castle as a thunderstorm rages outside. Inside, he finds his assistant waiting for him in the lab. A body covered in a blanket sits in the middle of a surgical table. "Doctor. You've returned. Did you find what you were looking for?" Igor asks.

"Yes," Frankenstein answers, taking the heart out of the box and holding it up. "Look at it. It's remarkable, isn't it?"

"The final piece to the puzzle," He replies.

"I believe so. Let's begin," The Doctor agrees, starting the experiment. He harnesses the electricity from the lightning and channels it towards the body on the table. Slowly, the body begins to raise its hand. "It's alive."

"You did it. Victor, you did it," The assistant congratulates him, and Frankenstein clasps the extended hand.

"Yes. I believe I have. Welcome back, brother," Victor smiles, looking at his brother as he rises slowly from the table.

"It's magic, Dr Frankenstein," Igor comments as he watches.

"No, not magic. Science," He corrects him with a smug look.

Chapter Ten - Tallahassee

Season 2 - Episode 6

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…

Emma, Octavia, Mary Margaret, Aurora, Mulan, and Hook approach the base of the beanstalk and look up, seeing that it extends through the clouds. "It's a little freakier than I remember from the story," Emma comments as she looks at it.

"Reminds me of death," Mulan remarks.

"Encouraging," Mary Margaret cringes.

"Well, your compass awaits. Shall we?" Hook asks, turning to the women.

"Wait. If these beans create…portals, why not just pick one and go home? Why the compass?" Emma asks them.

"Because there aren't any more beans," Octavia tells her.

"Whatever story you think you know, my dear, is most certainly wrong," Killian adds.

"There was a guy named Jack, and a cow, and something about an evil giant with a treasure and a golden goose. …Or harp," Emma replies, looking at the Captain.

"Sounds like a lovely tale. But the truth's a little bit more gruesome," He replies. "The giants grew the beans, but, rather than use them for good, they used them to plunder all the lands. Jack was a man who fought a terrible war, defeating all but one of the evil giants. The beans were destroyed by the giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody could. It's really very bad form."

"Evil giants, who made magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone just go up and grow some more?" She questions.

"Because one giant survived. The strongest and most terrible of them all. And we'll have to get past him to-," The Captain explains.

"The magic compass," Octavia smirks, looking at him.

"Indeed. The treasure remains, and amongst it is the compass. Now it will guide us to your land," Killian replies. "Cora has the means to open a portal with the wardrobe ashes, but she can't find your land without the compass. Once we get it, steal the ashes from her and we're on our way."

"How do we know you're not just using us to get the compass for Cora?" Mulan asks him.

"Because you four are far safer company. All I need is a ride back. I'll swear allegiance to whomever gets me there first," Hook says, looking at the women.

"Then we'd better start climbing," Emma suggests, not fully believing him.

"Right, so… I failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders," He tells them.

"Alright, so how do we get up there?" She asks, looking at him.

"I've got a counter spell from Cora. If you'd be so kind," Killian informs them, holding up his wrists tied together. Mary Margaret unties him. He holds up one of his arms. Showing a glowing cuff. "Thank you, milady. I've got one more of these. Cora was to accompany me. So… Which one of you four lovelies shall take her place? Hm? Go on, fight it out. Don't be afraid to, you know, really get into it."

The group stand at the bottom of the beanstalk, and the women argue while Hook watches. "All due respect, I'm the best equipped to go. How many wars have you been through?" Mulan snaps.

"My share," Mary Margaret argues.

"It should be me," Aurora suggests.

"You? You haven't fought in a battle," Mulan replies shortly.

"This is about us getting home to our loved ones. Why would you-," Mary Margaret questions, looking at the other women.

"Because I have no loved ones. If I fail, you can still go on," Aurora tells her.

"It's me. I'm going, and I'm not going to fail," Emma offers.

"You're new here," Mary Margaret argues, looking at her daughter.

"It's about getting back to Henry. I don't care what I have to face. You're not going to argue with me?" She replies, looking at her mother.

"Would it do any good?" Snow asks her.

"No," The blond woman tells her.

"I'm going," Octavia announces, throwing her hat into the ring. "I have magic, none of you do. I'll be safer."

"Are you sure?" Emma asks her. "I can come with you?"

"No. There's only one other cuff," She reminds her. "I can handle him."

"Anything in that bag that's going to help her with a giant?" Mary Margaret asks, looking at Mulan.

"A hook?" Mulan replies.

"Hey!" Hook shouts, hearing them.

"Come with me," she says, taking Octavia aside. She pulls out a cloth satchel and hands it to the Healer. "This – powder is made from poppies. He has to inhale it."

"And your sword – how strong is it?" Octavia questions, looking back at Mary Margaret and Emma.

"The most powerful blade in all the realms," The warrior answers.

"Is it strong enough to cut through that beanstalk?" The Cruel Princess wonders.

"Indeed," Mulan replies.

"Give me ten hours. If I'm not back, you cut it down and keep going," Octavia tells her.

"Snow and Emma won't like that," Mulan argues, looking at the two women.

"That's why I'm asking you. If I don't get back, you get them home," She demands, knowing they can return to Henry even if she doesn't make it back.

"Ladies. In this world, we are slaves to time. And ours is running out. In other words, tick tock," Hook calls out, and Octavia joins him. "I was hoping it'd be you," He smirks, looking at her.

"Just get on with it," The Healer snaps, glaring lightly at him.

"Put your hand right here," Killian tells her, and she puts her hand on his shoulder, allowing him to snap the second magical cuff to her wrist. "That's a good girl. This will allow you to climb. There are other dangers. Thankfully, you've got me to protect you. I can't climb one-handed, can I?" Emma hands him his hook from the bag.

"Don't think I'm taking my eyes off you for a second," Octavia warns him.

"I would despair if you did," He flirts with her.

"Let's go," She grumbles, heading for the beanstalk. "Hold on!" She holds her hand out and waves the other, changing her clothes into something much more stealthy, and even her hair changes.

Octavia and Hook climb, almost reaching the clouds. "First beanstalk?" Killian asks, looking at her. "Well, you never forget your first. You know, most men would take your silence as off-putting, but I love a challenge."

"I'm concentrating," Octavia retorts, keeping her eye on the beanstalk.

"No, you're afraid. Afraid to talk – to reveal yourself. Trust me – things'll be a lot smoother if you do," He replies, smirking.

"You should be used to people not trusting you," She argues, climbing a little higher.

"Ah, the pirate thing. Well, I don't need you to share. You're something of an open book," Hook remarks.

"Am I?" The Cruel Princess questions, thinking she does an excellent job hiding herself.

"Quite. Let's see – you volunteered to come up here because you were the most motivated. You need to get back to a child," Killian guesses.

"That's not perception. That's eavesdropping," Octavia argues.

"Ah, but you don't want him to feel alone like you did," He tells her.

"Was I?" She questions, thinking of her lonely childhood.

"Like I said, an open book," The Captain replies, seeing the darkness in her eyes growing and finding it fascinating.

"How would you know that?" The Cruel Princess wonders.

"I spent many years in Neverland – home of the Lost Boys," Killian tells her, and she cringes, thinking of the tales she's heard. "They all share the same look in their eyes… The look you get when you've been left alone."

"Yeah, well, my world ain't Neverland," Octavia snaps, not wanting to talk to a complete stranger about her life.

"But an orphan's an orphan," He argues, and she looks at him.

"You're an idiot," She scoffs. "I'm not an orphan." He looks at her funny. "Cora is my mother."

"What?" Hook exclaims, watching her climb ahead of him. "Cora said both her daughters were in Storybrooke?"

"She's a great liar," The Healer laughs. "She never even looked at me half my life, and my father only looked at my sister. My parents only ever looked at Regina."

Mulan uses a stick to make a sundial in the sand by the beanstalk. "What is that?" Aurora asks as she watches her.

"It keeps the time," Mulan tells her, and Emma grows worried about Octavia. But she knows she's tough; being a surgeon in Storybrooke and dealing with Regina proves it.

"You have somewhere to be?" Mary Margaret asks the warrior.

"We can mark watches – take turns sleeping. We'll most likely have to walk through the night again, so we should rest while we can," She suggests, looking at the others.

"We'll take first shift," Emma offers, looking at her mother.

"I'll stay up with you," Aurora says, looking at Mulan.

"Okay," Mulan agrees, leaving.

"When's the last time you slept?" Mary Margaret asks Aurora.

"I don't really sleep now. Not after what I've been through," Aurora argues lightly, thinking of her dreams.

"Sleeping curse," She guesses.

"The one time I did sleep, I had horrible nightmares," Sleeping Beauty tells her.

"It's a side effect. Same thing happened to me," Snow assures her.

"It did?" Aurora asks her.

"I had them for months. Charming – my husband – he used to wake me. When I cried out, he'd light a candle. He said it would capture the nightmares. He'd watch over me as I fell back to sleep," Mary Margaret tells her, and Emma smiles, thinking about her parents.

"Sounds like he lives up to his name," Aurora jokes.

"Yeah. Um… Why don't you try… To sleep?" She replies. "I'll watch over you. You'll be safe."

"Thank you," The Princess says, closing her eyes.

Killian and Octavia reach the top of the beanstalk and find a giant, destitute-looking castle. "This must have been where the final battle took place," Octavia remarks, looking around.

"Indeed it is," Hook replies, looking at her. "Give me your hand."

"What?" She asks, looking at him.

"Your hand – it's cut. Let me help you," He tells her.

"No, no. It's fine," The Cruel Princess argues, knowing she can heal it easily.

"No, it's not," Killian replies.

"So, now you're going to be a gentleman?" Octavia questions, looking at him.

"Giants can smell blood. And I'm always a gentleman," Hook retorts and uncorks a bottle, pouring the contents over her bloody hand, making her cringe from the pain.

"Ah! Ow! What the hell is that?" She hisses. "Now I know why everyone hates when I do that."

"It's rum. A bloody waste of it," He jokes, tying a piece of fabric around Octavia's injury. "Now, here's the plan – we wait for the giant to fall asleep. And when he does, we'll sneak past him into his cave. It's where the treasures are – where the compass lies."

"And then?" The Cruel Princess questions, holding her injured hand and pressing on the fabric.

"And then we run like hell," Killian replies, making her smirk.

"We don't have time to wait for a giant to fall asleep. The powder Mulan gave us – we need to use it. We got to knock him out," Octavia suggests, holding the pouch.

"Well, that's riskier," He argues.

"Then waiting for a giant to fall asleep when we need him to?" She argues, raising an eyebrow at him, and he can't help but think he likes her sassy attitude.

"Point taken. Oo, you're a tough lass. You'd make a hell of a pirate," The Captain compliments her.

"Who's Milah on the tattoo?" The Healer asks, not being able to stop herself.

"Someone from long ago," Killian answers shortly.

"Where is she?" Octavia wonders.

"She's gone," He replies.

"Rumpelstiltskin. He took more than your hand from you, didn't he? That's why you want to kill him," She states, remembering the story Gold once told her.

"For someone who's never been in love, you're quite perceptive, aren't you?" Hook questions, looking at her.

"I haven't. Not really," the Cruel Princess replies, a cold look coming over her face, but it quickly disappears. Killian can't help but wonder what happened to her.

Octavia arms herself with the poppy powder and perches herself on a statue near the castle's entrance. Still, on the ground, Killian finds a bone and turns to her, asking. "You ready?"

"Yeah," She answers, and Hook bangs a metal shield with the bone, the noise causing the giant to awaken from inside the castle. The giant exits the castle, and Octavia realises the giant is far taller than the statue she's currently sitting on. "Dammit." She curses, and Hook provokes the giant with taunts as he slowly leads the giant toward Octavia.

"Hey! You big git! Yeah, you. Huh? You want to kill a human? Huh? You want to kill a human?" Hook shouts, provoking the giant. "Well, I'm the worst human around. Come on. Come on, then! Come on, then!" When the giant leans over to grab Killian, Octavia throws the powder in his face. The giant is knocked unconscious and falls to the ground, but when she looks around, she can't see Hook anywhere.

"Hook?" Octavia shouts, glancing around. "Hook!" Killian appears behind the giant.

"He's out cold. I don't mean to upset you, Octavia, but I think we make quite the team." The Captain compliments her, smiling, and she can't keep herself from blushing.

"Let's go steal a compass," She replies, climbing down the statue.

Mulan checks the sundial and sees that it has been almost ten hours since Hook and Octavia headed up. Aurora thrashes in her sleep in the throes of a nightmare. Mary Margaret wakes her quickly. "Hey. Aurora? It was just a dream. It was just a dream."

"It was horrible," Aurora cries, clinging to the other woman.

"Why don't you tell me about it? Do you want to tell me about it?" She asks calmly. "Come on – let's stand. Tell me."

"It was the same as last time. I was in this room. This… This red room. It was bright. Blood-red curtains. There was no windows or doors, so it didn't make sense, and I couldn't get in or out. I was trapped. The curtains – they were on fire. It was horrible," Sleeping Beauty tells her, tears falling.

"It's okay," Snow assures her, trying to comfort her.

"I was hunched in a corner, and I looked over into the other corner. And in the shadows, there was someone else there. I just see his eyes. He was looking right at me," Aurora tells her, surprising Mary Margaret a little.

"It's okay. It's over now. These nightmares… They will fade away. I promise," Mary Margaret reassures her.

"Did they for you?" She asks, hoping for some relief.

"Yeah. Come on. Come on. I'll sit with you until you fall back asleep. Who else do I have to take care of?" The Princess replies, joking a little, and Emma looks at her mother, wishing she had someone to comfort her when growing up and having nightmares.

Octavia and Killian enter the treasury, seeing it filled with all types of treasures and gold. "They hoarded all of their greatest stolen treasures in here," Killian comments, looking around. "Piles of jewels, and every room filled with coins."

"Let's get to it. The compass," Octavia tells him, moving further into the room.

"What's your rush?" He asks, looking at her.

"How long do you think magic knockout powder lasts?" She questions, turning to him.

"I have no clue," Hook replies.

"That's my rush," The Cruel Princess retorts.

"Too right, lass. Come. Everything we need is right in front of us," Killian agrees, looking around for the compass.

Octavia and Killian continue exploring the treasure room, still looking for the compass. "They kill all the giant housekeepers, too?" Octavia jokes, moving some of the treasure out of the way. "How are we going to find a compass in this mess?"

"By looking. Start searching. I wonder how much treasure we could carry down the beanstalk. …In addition to the compass, of course," Killian wonders, and they come across a skeleton holding a sword with 'Jack' etched into the blade.

"What the hell?" She questions, looking at it.

"That… Would be Jack," He replies.

"As in Jack the giant killer?" The Healer asks, looking at the sword.

"Yes," Hook answers.

"With that toothpick?" Octavia scoffs.

"Well, it packs quite a wallop. You'd be surprised," Killian argues, walking away. She stops him and pulls him into her arms.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" She exclaims.

"It's about bloody time," He flirts, smirking at her.

"It's a tripwire. Quite a security system," The Cruel Princess replies, shaking him. They look up to see a cage attached to the tripwire.

"Well, that's a plausible excuse for grabbing me, but next time don't stand on ceremony," The Pirate teases her, trying to get a rise out of her.

"Let's find the compass and go home. After you," Octavia says, letting him pass and being mindful of the tripwire.

Killian and Octavia go further into the treasure room, still looking for the magic compass. "So it's just… in here somewhere?" Octavia asks him, unsure if she believes him because he previously worked with her mother.

"Allegedly. Give me a boost would you, love?" Killian asks, seeing something higher up.

"So I can't see what you're pocketing? No way. You give me a boost," She argues.

"Try something new, darling. It's called trust," he replies.

"We do it side by side and fast. Who knows how long before the-," The Cruel Princess retorts, and they have their answer as they hear the giant's footsteps in the distance.

"Someone's up. Quickly. Get under something," The Captain warns her. The giant charges into the treasure room, stomping on part of the ceiling, causing debris to fall onto where Killian is standing.

"Hook?" she calls him. The giant charges at her and reaches down, grabbing her. Octavia struggles in the giant's fist. "I'm not what you think!"

"You're a thief, and you poisoned me," The giant growls at her. "So yeah, I'm pretty sure you're exactly what I think."

"No. Look, you have a compass. I need it," Octavia tells him.

"I don't care what you need," He snaps, tightening his grip as Emma struggles to breathe.

"No, for my nephew! To save my nephew! Don't you have a family?" She shouts.

"No. Because humans killed them all," The giant yells, and Octavia's vision begins fading when she bites the giant's hand. He drops her, and she runs toward Jack's skeleton. She jumps over the tripwire and grabs Jack's sword, which Octavia then uses to set off the trap. The cage falls onto the giant, trapping him.

"Nice security system. Efficient," Octavia muses, pointing the sword towards the giant's face. The giant keeps shouting, "No!" at her. "I can tell by your face you know what this is. Let me guess – it's dipped in some sort of poison," She wonders, moving it closer. "You have a compass. I need it."

"You're going to kill me either way. Go ahead. Kill me," He sneers at her.

"You don't know me," The Healer argues.

"I know your kind. They massacred us, and destroyed our beans," The giant argues, thinking of his fallen family.

"I heard it the other way," Octavia replies.

"That's because the victors get to tell the story," He reminds her, and she pokes the sword closer. "Okay! Stop. Here." He slides the compass across the floor, and she retrieves it. "See? I'm not the bad guy."

"Maybe you are telling the truth. Doesn't really matter. I have to go," The Cruel Princess tells him. "Are there any more of you?"

"No. I'm alone," The giant answers, and Octavia spots a shrivelled-looking bean attached to the giant's necklace.

"What's this? Is this a bean? Can this make a portal?" She asks him, pointing to the necklace.

"Not anymore. It was destroyed like the rest of them. I wear it as a reminder… A reminder that you're all Killers," He replies, and Octavia points the sword towards him again.

"You're wrong," Octavia argues, lowering the sword and starting to walk away. When her back is turned, the giant breaks free from the cage. The giant grabs a boulder covering a tunnel that leads outside and throws it across the room.

"Go," The giant tells her.

"Why?" She asks him.

"Because you could've killed me, and you didn't. You get one favour. Now go, before I change my mind," He replies, and Octavia turns to leave but stops.

"Actually… I get two favours," The Cruel Princess argues.

"What?" The giant questions.

"Well, the way I see it, I could've killed you twice – the poison and when you were knocked out. I didn't," Octavia tells him.

"What do you want?" He asks her. Octavia explains to him about her favour and later pulls Hook out from under the debris.

"Hook," She calls him.

"You are bloody brilliant. Amazing. May I see it? The compass," Killian requests, and Octavia holds out the compass for him to see. "It's more beautiful than legend." Octavia withdraws her hand, growing suspicious of him and pocketing the compass away from him. "Come. Let's go." Hook extends his hand to Octavia, but instead of taking it, she grabs a nearby shackle and chains it from the floor, hooking Killian to the wall. "What are you doing?" He asks, looking at her/ "What are you doing?"

"Hook, I… I… I can't…" Octavia apologises.

"Octavia, look at me. Have I told you a lie? I brought you here," Hook argues, trying to free himself. "I rushed my own safety to help you. The compass is in your hand. Why do this to me now?"

"I can't take a chance that I'm wrong about you. I'm sorry," The Healer replies, feeling guilty about leaving him there.

"You're sorry? You're sorry?! I got you here! I got you the compass!" He snaps at her.

"I got the compass," She argues.

"Well, you're just going to leave me here to die? Have that beast to eat me, to crush my bones?" Killian questions, glaring at her.

"He's not a beast. And you're not going to die. I just need a head start – that's all," Octavia replies calmly.

"Octavia. Octavia! Octavia!" He shouts after her as she walks away, leaving him with the giant.

"I'm sorry," She mutters, leaving the treasure room and heading for the beanstalk.

Mulan checks the sundial and sees that it has been ten hours. Mary Margaret watches over Aurora still as she sleeps. Mulan draws her sword and heads towards the beanstalk. "Whoa, wait!" Mary Margaret shouts, gaining Emma's attention.

"What are you doing?" Emma yells, moving towards Mulan.

"Just stay back. Octavia gave me ten hours," Mulan replies, swinging her sword back.

"No, no, no!" Emma and Mary Margaret shout, running to stop the warrior and waking Aurora.

"What, you're just going to leave her to die?" Aurora questions.

"Ten hours. She may already be dead," Mulan replies.

"No, st-!" She shouts, and Mulan strikes the beanstalk with her sword, creating a surge of magic that travels upwards.

"No!" Emma yells.

"No, stop!" Mary Margaret and Aurora shout, and they rush towards Mulan, tackling her to the ground, and the three of them struggle.

"Stop!" Aurora screams, watching them. "Stop!"

"This was your friend's wish!" Mulan argues, trying to pull Mary Margaret off of her.

"I don't care what you say! You do not put my friend in danger!" Mary Margaret snaps.

"Stop!" Octavia shouts, gaining their attention as she jumps down from the beanstalk and makes the three stop fighting.

"Octavia!" Emma exclaims. "You okay?"

"Two earthquakes and a jump from a beanstalk. I think my brain's still rattling around a little," She jokes.

"I did what she ordered, nothing more than that," Mulan argues and turns to the Surgeon. "Did you get it?"

"Yep," The Cruel Princess replies.

"W-Where's Hook?" Aurora asks, waiting for the pirate to jump down next.

"He's detained. Let's go," Octavia tells them. "Get your stuff. We got ten hours before he follows us."

"What? How?" Mary Margaret questions, looking at her step-aunt.

"I got a friend looking after him till then," She assures them.

"You told her to cut it down?" Emma asks, glaring at the Cruel Princess.

"Yes. I couldn't risk-," The Healer argues.

"We go back together. That is the only way. Do you understand?" Mary Margaret replies and pulls her into a hug.

"Yeah…" Octavia mutters, looking at Emma. "Want to join the hug?" She pulls away from Snow.

"Good. Now, let's go get that dust from Cora," She agrees.

"Yeah, and go home," Emma adds, and Octavia thinks about the glass bottle of ash she pocketed before.

Henry suddenly bolts up in bed at the Blanchard's apartment, screaming. David rushes down the stairs to check on his grandson. "Henry? Henry?" David calls to him. "Hey, hey, hey, hey. You're okay, you're okay," He promises, sitting on the bedside. "You're okay, you're okay."

"I… I just had the worst nightmare," Henry tells him.

"It's over now," He assures him.

"Okay," The Mills boy answers.

"Okay? Here. This will help," Charming replies, lighting a candle next to the bed.

"A candle?" Henry questions, looking at it.

"Yeah. They keep the nightmares away. Now, talk to me. What was so bad?" David wonders.

"I… I was in this room, and… And it was red," He recounts his nightmare. "And there was no doors, no windows. And these curtains… And they were on fire. And… I was in this corner."

"Right," The Prince mutters, having a sinking feeling that he's heard it before.

"And… And… And… And I was looking out, and there was someone else there. She was staring at me through the flames. Th-Then I woke up and…" The young Mills boy tells him.

"Hey, don't worry, alright? It was just a bad dream," David assures him, trying to comfort the kid.

Chapter Ten - Child of the Moon

Season 2 - Episode 7

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…

The dwarves are down in the mines, continuing to look for the fairy dust, and Happy attempts to gather everyone. "Pick axes down, brother! First round at Granny's is on me!"

"Come on, Leroy. We're going to miss happy hour," Doc tells him, and everyone puts their axes in except Grumpy.

"Granny's running a two-for-one special on mead," He adds, trying to encourage him.

"Just cause it's called happy hour, Happy, don't mean you got to be there. We got work to do," Leroy snaps at them, continuing to mine.

"But you're tired. We all are. A break could help," Happy argues.

"Charming asked us to mine for dust – fairy dust. To help bring Snow, Emma, and Octavia back home. And that's…what I'm…going to do!" Grumpy replies, hacking at the rocky wall with his axe until suddenly, he breaks through the wall and falls into another cavern. The dwarves quickly call David to the scene, bringing Henry and Mother Superior.

"Where is he?" David asks, encountering Happy, who guides them to where Leroy fell through the wall. Below, David sees Leroy and several of the other dwarves, along with hundreds of diamonds lining the walls and ceiling of the mine.

"Are those…" Henry questions, looking around in awe.

"Diamonds. They're back. The magic brought them back," Mother Superior smiles, looking at them.

"You mean, the kind that becomes fairy dust?" He asks, turning to the fairy.

"Indeed. We just need to refine them – grind them up. Do you still have what remains of Jefferson's hat?" She asks, turning to David, who takes out the battered hat. "You lock this up. Keep it safe. Because, by this time tomorrow, we'll have enough magic dust to make it work again."

"So, Mary Margaret, Emma, and Octavia…" The young Mills boy wonders, looking at the adults.

"That's right, kid. We're bringing 'em home," David confirms.

At Granny's Diner, David, Mother Superior, Belle, and the dwarves celebrate the discovery of the diamonds with a round of drinks, which Ruby serves. "To the dwarves!" David announces, and everyone happily cheers. "That was quite a spill. Are you okay?" he asks Grumpy.

"I've had worse," Leroy grumbles back at him, and Ruby goes to clear off a table, where Billy waits for her.

"A mouse," Billy tells her.

"What? Where?" Ruby asks, looking around.

"No. I meant me. I was a mouse. My name was Gus," he tells her. "I lived in Cinderella's pantry, I ate cheese, I gnawed on wood, but I preferred the cheese."

"And, why are you telling me this?" She questions, looking at him.

"Uh, we haven't had a chance to talk since things…changed. I just wanted you to know who I was… Back home," The man replies.

"Uh, can I, um, still call you Billy?" Red asks him.

"You can call me whatever you want, as long as you let me buy you a drink after your shift. I already know Ruby. I want the chance to meet Red," Gus retorts, making her smile, but stops, realising what was happening that night.

"Um, tonight's actually not great. Because-," Ruby tells him.

"Uh, we, uh… We have, uh, plans," Belle lies for her.

"That's right, um… It's girls' night. I'm bringing the cheese. Which has nothing to do with you being a mouse. It has to do with the wine," She retorts awkwardly.

"Okay. Um… Maybe next time," Billy replies, leaving.

"Thank you," Red says, looking at Belle.

"I can spot a girl in trouble. He… He seems really nice," Belle comments, looking back at the door.

"It's… It's complicated," she explains. Henry drinks a cup of coffee on the other side of the diner, and David joins him.

"Is that coffee?" David asks his grandson.

"No," Henry replies, taking another sip.

"Trying to stay up, huh?" he asks, and Henry nods. "Still worried about those nightmares?" the kid nods again. "Well, don't be. Cause, when you go to sleep tonight, I'm going to be right in the next room. Now maybe, lose the java and go grab a cocoa." As soon as Henry leaves to get himself a hot chocolate, Albert sits in the booth across from David.

"Congratulations, Sheriff. Quite a celebration," Albert remarks.

"What are you doing here?" Charming asks, glaring at the man.

"You may have taken care of me in the old world, but, in this one, we get another go at each other," He retorts, glaring at his 'son'.

"Whenever you're ready," The Prince snaps, not scared of the man.

"It's a big moment for you, isn't it? On your way to getting your family back," King George questions, taunting the man.

"Ah… Yeah, it must be hard for you. You know, watching good win," David remarks, glaring at him.

"Good? So sure of yourself. But I know the truth. You're still just a shepherd pretending to be a prince. You weren't fit to run the kingdom, and you sure as hell aren't fit to run this town," Albert sneers angrily.

"I think the people of Storybrooke might disagree with you," He argues firmly.

"Today. But I'm going to see to it that they see things my way," The former King snaps. "That they see you for who you really are. By the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you'd killed me when you had the chance."

"The people of this town know who I really am. And they've seen me defeat you before. So, if you want to try and take me down, they'll see it again," Charming warns him, not afraid of him.

Henry returns to the burning room from his nightmare and tries to defend himself from the flames. He yells for help, and across the room, another person appears. He calls out to them, "Hey! Hey! Who are you? Where are we?"

Regina wakes Henry up before the person from the burning room has a chance to respond. "Henry? Henry, wake up," she calls to him. He wakes up with a start. "It's okay. It's okay. You're okay," She assures him.

"Wh-what are you doing here? Where's David?" Henry asks her, looking around for her granddad.

"He got an emergency call this morning, and he asked me to look after you," Regina replies. "He told me you've been having nightmares. It's okay. You can-." Regina touches his hand, making him recoil and yelp in pain. She inspects his hand, finding a burn running up the side. "Is that a burn?"

Regina quickly calls Mr Gold to come over to the apartment, and when he arrives, she makes Henry show his burnt hand to the Dark One. "Oh, yes. You were quite right to call me," Rumpelstiltskin muses as he inspects the burn.

"So y-you can help? It was just a dream," Henry says, looking at the burn.

"Well, what you're describing's certainly not a dream," He retorts.

"Then, what was it?" Regina asks, concerned for her son.

"A side effect. You know, it's remarkable you'd cast a curse you know so little about," Mr Gold comments, glancing at her.

"My victims are not supposed to wake up. That's why I certainly never cared what happened to them after. …Until now," She argues, feeling guilty about putting her son through this. Gold uses the kit of potions he brought along with him, beginning to prepare a potion. He carefully drips the various liquids into a pendant attached to a chain.

"When people fall under a sleeping curse, the soul travels to a Netherworld, where it resides until awoken," He explains. "Now, this world is between life and death, and it's very real. However, even when the curse is broken, sometimes, in sleep, the victims find their way back to that world. Victims like you." He looks at Henry.

"This other world is tormenting my son every time he sleeps. I want you to give him something that will keep him from going there," The Evil Queen demands.

"Well, I'm afraid that's not possible. I can, however, provide you with something that will allow him to control his actions whilst in that world," The Dark One counters. "And once one controls something, one no longer need fear it." He holds up his finished product - a necklace.

"A necklace?" Henry questions, looking at it.

"You wear this while you're sleeping," Mr Gold tells him. "Once you control the journey, fear will stop. And then, you can come and go as you please." He extends the jewellery to Henry, but Regina stops him from taking it.

"Everything comes at a price with you. What do you want for this?" Regina asks angrily.

"For a house call? You couldn't afford it. But this is for Henry. This one's on me," Rumpelstiltskin retorts, handing the necklace to Henry, who takes it this time.

David and Granny are on Storybrooke's main street as she sniffs Billy's jacket to pick up an odour to track the real murderer. "This way," Granny announces, leading him to a parked car. "The trunk." David pops the truck, and inside, they find it appears normal. However, underneath, they find Ruby's hood and a hatchet in the spare tyre compartment.

"The wolf didn't kill Billy," David reveals.

"Ruby's hood," She gasps.

"So she'd be forced to change back into a wolf. So whoever killed Billy could pin the murder on her," He concludes.

"Who would want to hurt my Ruby?" Granny wonders and David smashes the driver's side window and finds the registration in the glove compartment.

"This isn't about Ruby. It's about me. Spencer," Charming sneers, thinking of the old man.

"King George?" She questions, looking at him.

"He needed a reason to wrestle power away from me, so he created one," He explains, and a wolf howling can be heard in the distance.

"She's out," Granny declares.

"The mob. They're going to kill her," David says, running off with Granny not far behind him.

At Mary Margaret's apartment, David and Ruby watch as Henry sleeps, seeming a little peaceful. "He may never see his mother, grandmother or aunt again," David mutters, feeling guilty. "How am I going to break that news to him?"

"You won't have to," Ruby assures him.

"Travel between worlds is as hard as it comes," He argues. "Fairy dust on its own isn't enough. It took an entire curse to get us here in the first place. Without the hat…"

"You'll find another way," She tells him.

"You don't know that," Charming counters, shaking it off.

"But I know you. And I know you'll never give up until you do. And David? You're not going to be doing this alone," Red promises him.

"Thank you," David replies, and she turns to leave.

"Do you mind giving Granny a call?" Ruby asks him.

"Sure. Why? What for?" He questions, looking at her.

"I may have left Belle chained up in the library. Somebody should probably…" She tells him, cringing as she feels a little bad about doing it before helping David and Granny with King George and the mob of angry citizens.

"Unchain her?" The Prince finishes.

"Yeah," Red chuckles.

"Yeah, I'll take care of it. Where you going?" David asks her.

"I've still got a few hours of Wolfstime left. You helped me regain control. I want to do something I haven't done in a very long time," Ruby replies.

"What's that?" He wonders.

"Run," She replies, leaving the apartment. David hears a howl from outside and can't help but smile.

Emma finds Mary Margaret sitting alone in the woods, away from the others. "What are you doing?" Emma asks her mother.

"Uh, just thinking," Mary Margaret replies.

"Come on. Mulan and Octavia have some ideas where Cora might be hiding," She tells her, and they head back to the camp. Meanwhile, Aurora is sleeping.

Aurora finds herself back in the burning room from her nightmare. She screams as the flames jump at her. Suddenly, Henry appears across the room, wearing his necklace. He closes his eyes, and the fire gradually subsides. "Wait. Don't be scared," Henry calls out to her.

Aurora abruptly wakes from her nightmare, calling out for the one person who understands. "Snow! Snow!"

"Hey. I'm here," Mary Margaret assures her, crouching beside her. "It's okay, it's okay. It was just another nightmare."

"No, this time was different. There was a little boy," She argues, gasping. "He… He put out the fire. He talked to me."

"A little boy?" Octavia asks her.

"What'd he say?" Emma asks her.

"He said… He said his name was Henry," Aurora reveals, making the three women look at each other.