Birds chirping, thunder clapping, and cars honking their horns at people and cars, a guy in a suit and tie with a backpack on his shoulder was walking down the sidewalk passing a horse. He crossed the road and got onto a train to his apartment. He used the elevator to get up to his room. He opened the door and tossed his bag onto the floor near the door.
He walked over to the open window and tried to close the window before the storm got too bad but before he could get the window to close, his phone slipped out of his hand down the fire escape. He bent his head forward, sighing heavily.
A dove came to his window with a paper on its leg and dropped it in front of the man. And the note just said one word: Broken. It was a greeting card from none other than Storybrooke.
In the middle of the desert, two horses came galloping down a dirt road, Prince Phillip and Mulan came to a large open building. There was a girl, lying on a brick table and she was under a sleeping curse.
Prince Phillip came to the girl, slowly walking towards her, leaning down as he was about to kiss her but then he looked up at Mulan. "If this works, we don't tell her everything," he said. "Not right away."
Mulan nodded once.
Prince Phillip leaned down once again and kissed her lips. The spell broke and he pulled away from her.
The girl gasped as she opened her eyes, taking a few deep breaths before looking over at Phillip. "Phillip," she whispered.
Prince Phillip laughed softly with a smile. "Yes, Aurora," he whispered.
"I told you not to come after me," said Aurora.
Prince Phillip laughed once again before leaning down and kissing her over and over again. Mulan looked away from the two lovebirds. She walked down the steps to give them some space.
Aurora sat up. "How long have I been asleep?" she asked. "What happened?"
"It doesn't matter. The worst of it is over," said Phillip as Aurora swung her legs to the side. "Now that we're together, we'll restore this castle. And our kingdom. As we dreamt, be here always."
Aurora looked around, confused. "Where is everyone?" she asked. "Why does it need to be rebuilt?"
"It's a long store. And you, my love, need rest," said Phillip.
"I've had my fill of rest."
"Then come with me," said Phillip, helping her get down from the brick table. "Our people have gathered in a new safe haven. We must join them."
"A safe haven," repeated Aurora. "From Maleficent?"
"No," he breathed out. "Worry not, she can no longer harm us."
"First she goes after my mother. Then me. Forgive me if I'm still a bit wary."
"Don't be. There are new dangers now. But nothing we can't handle." Phillip leaned in and kissed her once more.
The purple smoke finally disappeared from the town of Storybrooke, David and Mary Margaret looked at each other momentarily.
"What's happening?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Let's find out," said David.
Mary Margaret nodded once before they embraced before they broke apart, and walked down the road. They passed Granny's Diner, where they found Granny and Ruby hugging each other.
"Oh," Granny gasped.
"Oh! Snow!" said Ruby, breaking Granny's hug.
"Oh!" said Snow, hugging Ruby while David hugged Granny.
"Snow, oh!" said Granny, hugging Snow and Ruby hugging David.
"Your Highness?" said Leroy.
The seven dwarfs smiled at Snow and bowed halfway, Snow and the dwarfs hugged.
"The curse, it's broken?" asked Leroy.
"It would appear so," said David.
"So what do we do now?" asked Ruby.
"Now?" repeated Snow, inhaling softly. "Now I find my daughter."
"So it's true," said Emma who was behind the small crowd.
David and Mary Margaret turned around to face their daughter and they slowly walked up to her. Mary Margaret placed her hands on Emma's cheeks, taking in every feature of her then she hugged her daughter tightly as she started crying.
"You found us," Mary Margaret's voice breaking.
Then slowly, David placed a hand on the back of Emma's head and hugged her and Mary Margaret tightly.
"Grandpa?" said Henry.
Mary Margaret started laughing.
"Yeah, kid," said David as the three of them broke apart. "I suppose so."
Henry and David hugged gently.
"She did it. She saved you." Henry looked up at his grandparents.
"She saved all of us," said Mary Margaret.
"I… Well…" Emma started to say.
"Uh, then why are we still here?" asked Leroy.
"That, my friend, is an excellent question," said David, turning to face them.
Mr. Clarke sneezed. "And what was that smoke?" he asked.
"Who did this?" asked Doc.
"And why?" asked Dopey.
"And what was that smoke?" asked Mr. Clarke.
"Magic," said Mother Superior. "It's here. I can feel it."
Mary Margaret and Mother Superior smiled at each other and squeezed hands together.
"Magic? In Storybrooke?" asked Henry. "You're the Blue Fairy. Do something magical."
Mother Superior smiled at Henry. "It's not quite that simple, Henry. No wand. No fairy dust. Matters are complicated now."
"Let's go to the person responsible for bringing it, the Queen," said Leroy.
All the other agreed.
"No, wait," said Emma. "It wasn't Regina."
"My darling, Belle," whispered Mr. Gold, looking at Belle. "You have to tell me what happened to you."
"I was abducted," confessed Belle.
"Regina?" he muttered angrily.
Belle nodded. "She locked me away until her curse. And I've been in the asylum ever since," she explained.
"For 28 years," said Mr. Gold.
Belle nodded once again.
"All these years, you've been here," said Mr. Gold. "Alive."
"Is that why you did this?" asked Belle. "Why you wanted magic? For revenge?"
"Oh, no. But it might come in handy."
She started shaking her head. "No. No!"
"I cannot let this stand, Belle, I will not let this stand!" He yelled.
"Look. Promise me. Promise me you won't give in to your hate. Promise me you won't kill her." Mr. Gold looked away for a second. "Promise me and we can be together," said Belle.
"Oh," whispered Mr. Gold, placing his hand on her cheek. "Sweetheart, I promise." He nodded.
He leaned in and kissed Belle, then she leaned her head on his chest, smiling.
"Is there anything that you wanted to ask us?" asked Mary Margaret. "I mean, you must have questions."
"The only questions I have are Mr. Gold," said Emma.
The small crowd walked with them, trying to look for Mr. Gold.
"Why did he double-cross me and what did he do to this town?" asked Emma.
"Shouldn't we talk about it first?" asked Mary Margaret.
"What?" asked Emma, glancing at her mom.
"Us. Your life. Everything?" asked Mary Margaret.
"Can we do everything maybe later?" asked Emma. "Like, with a glass of wine. Or several bottles."
"I know it's a lot to take in. For all of us," said David.
"And we don't want to push, but we've waited for this moment for so long…," said Mary Margaret.
"Yeah, so have I!" Emma said, turning to face her parents, stopping in the middle of the road. "I've thought about this moment my entire life. I've imagined who you might be." She looked at David. "But of all the scenarios that I concocted, my parents being…" taking a deep breath. "I just need a little time. That's all."
There's a crowd shouting in the distance, who is running across the street towards Regina's house.
"Come on, everyone!" said a man.
"Snow?" said David, noticing the crowd.
Dr. Hopper ran to Emma's small crowd of people, he was panting. "There you are. Come with me. I need your help," he begged. "Dr. Whale's whipped everyone into a frenzy. They're going to Regina's house. They're gonna kill her."
"Great, let's watch," said Leroy. "No. No, we cannot stoop to her level," said Dr. Hopper. "No matter who she is or what she's done, killing her is wrong."
"He's right," said Henry. "Please. She's still my mom."
Emma looked at all of them with sympathetic eyes. "We have to stop them," she said.
"If the Blue Fairy is right and magic is here, Regina could have her powers back. They could be marching into a slaughter," said David.
Mary Margaret and David looked at each other for a moment, then the small group ran toward the larger. They wanted to stop them before it got too bad for then, group of people. They wanted to stop them before it was too late.
Aurora and Phillip were still talking while Mulan was pacing back and forth waiting for them. Then she walked in the middle of the open space and up the stairs, leaning down and feeling the marble ground. Then she heard it, the rumbling as she took out her sword. Then the rumbling became harsh and a black hooded creature came from the floor, sending Mulan across the room, and the creature started roaring. Aurora and Phillip looked up their eyes wide with shock and fear.
Phillip took out his sword and ran toward the hooded creature, swinging his sword toward the creature as the creature continued roaring.
"Phillip!" screamed Aurora.
Phillip stood in front of Mulan, protecting her just in case the creature came and attacked her. The creature moved closer to Phillip and Phillip's sword connected with a golden chain around its neck. It came falling off the creature's neck, screeching as it flew away from him.
Aurora stood next to Phillip while Mulan stood up.
Phillip knelt to pick up the golden chain and watched the creature fly away.
"What was that thing?" asked Aurora.
"Something bad," answered Phillip, then he looked down at the golden necklace.
Mr. Gold and Belle came to his shop, he opened the door and the bell rang out, opening the door for Belle to walk through.
"You, uh…," he started to say before closing the door. "You wait here, Belle. I'm gonna find you something to wear." Belle smiled. "You've spent enough time in these in these rags." He walked off to find clothes for Belle.
"Thank you," said Belle softly.
Mr. Gold went to the back, walked past the rack of clothes and went straight to a large cabinet, he got the out of his pocket and unlocked the cabinet. He took out a medium gold case and that revealed the same gold necklace that the creature was wearing. He took it out of the case and looked at it.
The large crowd came to Regina's door, Dr. Whale banged on the door and yelled, "Open up! Open up or we're coming in!" He looked through the glass and banged on the door again.
Regina opened the door with a smile on her face. "Can I help you?" she asked.
"That smirk isn't gonna last forever, Regina," said Dr. Whale. "You took everything from us. And now…"
"What?" she asked. "Now you're gonna kill me?"
"Eventually. But first, you need to suffer."
Regina took a step forward. "Listening to you has been enough suffering for all of us." She pushed him and walked out then pushed him again. "That's right. You wanted to see your Queen?" She looked at the crowd, taking a step down from the set of stairs in front of her house. "Well, my dears." She started lifting her arms. "Here she is!" She flung her arms toward the crowd but no magic came out of her hands but the crowd gasped in horror and ducked down.
"She's powerless," said a man. "Let's get her."
"Get her!" said another man.
Dr. Whale grabbed Regina's shoulders and slammed her against one of the pillars. "Now, where were we?" he asked.
Emma came through the crowd, pushing the people aside. "Let her go! Let her go! Let her go!" she yelled to Dr. Whale, pushing him away from her.
"Why should I listen to you?" Dr. Whale asked.
"Because I am still the sheriff," said Emma.
"And because she saved you," said David. "All of you."
"And because no matter what Regina did, it does not justify this," said Mary Margaret.
"We are not murderers here," said Emma.
"Well, we're not from this world," said Dr. Whale.
"Yeah, well, you're in it now," said Emma.
"Okay, Whale. We're done," said David, quickly standing in front of him.
"Back off!" said Dr. Whale. "You're not my Prince."
David looked at him for a moment. "Who are you, Whale?" he asked.
"That's my business," said Dr. Whale.
David scoffed. "Well, my business is making sure this doesn't go to hell, so whether or not I'm your Prince isn't the issue. We have a lot to figure out. And this isn't the way to do it!"
Mary Margaret stood next to Regina, turning to face the crowd. "And Regina's death won't provide any answers," she said. "She needs to be locked up." Regina just smirked. "For her safety, and more importantly, for ours."
David slammed the jail cell door closed with Regina in the jail cell.
"So, I'm a prisoner now?" asked Regina.
"If the curse is broken, why didn't we go back?" asked David.
"Because there's nothing to go back to," answered Regina. "That land is gone."
Mary Margaret looked at David. "We should get to Gold," she said.
Emma, Henry, David, and Mary Margaret all walked out of the Police Station while Regina watched them, she sighed angrily. She tried to do magic on the lock but nothing came out.
"Magic is different here, dearie," said Mr. Gold, making Regina pull her hand back.
Regina looked up at him. "I noticed," she sneered. "I assume this is all you're doing."
"Most things are," he said, taking slow steps toward Regina.
"Get to it, Rumple. What do you want?" She paused. "You here to finish the job?"
"No, no, no," he said. "You're safe from me."
"I feel so relieved," she said sarcastically.
"I made a promise to someone that I won't kill you," he said.
"Who could elicit that from you?"
"Belle."
"She's alive?"
"You are a dreadful liar."
"I could have killed her. But I didn't." She wrapped her hands around the bars.
"Yeah, you did much worse than that." Mr. Gold took a step closer to the cell. "You kept her alive, so you could kill her when it suited you. A fate worse than death. Which, incidentally, is exactly what I've got in store for you." He pulled her arm out of the cell and placed the gold necklace and the symbol into her palm.
"Is that…?" she asked, fear in her voice.
"Yes, dearie. The one thing no one can escape. Destiny. And I promise, yours is particularly unpleasant," he said while Regina tried to get her hand free from him.
She finally got her hand free from him and she looked at him with anger in his eyes.
The necklace dangling from his hand, he looked at Regina. "Oh," he whispered, he started chuckling.
The symbol was burned on her hand, she glanced down at it and then back up at Mr. Gold.
Aurora, Phillip, and Mulan looked at the golden necklace in Phillip's hand. Aurora looked at the busted floor. Phillip put the necklace in his satchel.
"Qui Shen," said Mulan. "In your land, you would call it a Wraith."
Aurora looked at Phillip. "I'm sorry, who is this?" she asked.
"A friend," said Mulan, taking off her helmet.
"You're… a girl?" Aurora asked in a shocked voice.
"Woman," Mulan corrected her. "My name is Mulan."
"In your absence, she helped me like no other," said Phillip. "We've fought many battles together."
"With a woman," said Aurora in a jealous tone.
Phillip nodded.
"And now we have another to wage," said Mulan. "The Qui Shen, the Wraith, is one of the most dangerous creatures in all the known lands. A soul sucker. According to legend it marks its victims and removes their souls, damning them for all eternity."
A screaming voice echoed and the three of them looked around the land.
"Those are the sounds of the souls it's trapped, trying to escape," Mulan continued.
Aurora looked at Mulan quickly with worried eyes.
"But fortune favored us, as we all avoided the mark," said Mulan. "We need to begin our journey." She started walking off.
"It's okay. We'll be safe with our people," said Phillip. He pulled Aurora close and kissed her cheek, hugging her gently before looking at his hand and revealing that he had a mark on it. He quickly closed his hand as Aurora pulled back from the hug.
"Phillip, what is it?" Aurora asked worriedly.
"Nothing. Everything is fine," Phillip lied.
Mr. Gold was in the forest, in the middle of the clearing, and he had the necklace in his hand. He looked at it for a long minute then he dropped it, clanging it to the ground. He held up the dagger with his true name on it. "The Dark One summons thee!" he said then he turned the point to the ground next to the necklace.
Regina was on the bed, trying to get some rest, and then she shot up with a gasp. She swung her legs to the edge of the bed as she looked at her hand as the symbol started shaking. She gasped in fear.
A black smoke came out of the necklace and out came the creature, it started growling and screeching, and then it flew off while Mr. Gold watched the creature.
Ruby was in her car with Henry beside her, Emma leaned in with a smile on her face. "Keep him safe, Ruby," said Emma.
David looked at Mary Margaret. "Don't push it, Snow," he warned.
"I won't," she said.
"You guys ready?" Emma asked as she walked up to them.
"We need to talk," said Mary Margaret.
"Well, I don't… I don't wanna talk," said Emma.
"But I do, okay? Gold can wait. I can't. I mean, you're my daughter. And I wanna talk to you." Mary Margaret said with a smile. "I know that we have talked. But we didn't know that we were talking. And we talked about things we probably shouldn't have even talked about. One-night stands and the like."
"One-night stands?" David asked, shocked and confused.
"Whale," answered Mary Margaret.
"What?" David shouted.
"We were cursed. That is neither here nor there. The point is, we did not know that we were mother and daughter. And now we do. And, so, please, let's talk."
Emma looked at her for a moment then nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "What do you want to talk about?"
"We're together, finally," said Mary Margaret with a smile. She took a deep breath and looked between Emma and David. "And I can't help but think you're not happy about it."
Emma looked between her parents. "Oh, I am," she said softly. "But, see," she started as she sighed softly, "here's the thing. No matter what the circumstances, for 28 years I only knew one thing, that my parents sent me away."
"We did that to give you your best chance," said Mary Margaret.
"You did it for everyone. Because that's who you are," said Emma. "Leaders, heroes, princes, and princesses. And that's great and amazing, and wonderful, but it doesn't change the fact that for my entire life, I've been alone."
Mary Margaret sighed and nodded once. "But if we hadn't sent you away, you would have been cursed, too," she said, trying to reason with her daughter.
Emma smiled sadly. "But we would've been together," she said softly. "Which curse is worse?" She sniffled softly, trying not to cry. "Come on. Let's just… Let's go find Gold." She walked past her parents. David and Mary Margaret held hands.
Mulan was on one horse and Phillip and Aurora were on another horse, they were riding in the forest.
Mulan turned to look at the couple and said, "We should camp here tonight. The Wraith only appears when light is absent. Light is its adversary," she explained.
"And you want to stop? Now?" Aurora asked doubtfully.
"It's looking for a mark. Something alive," said Mulan. "Our best bet is to be still until night passes."
"She's right. We have to rest here," said Phillip.
They made a small tent out of the blankets they had with them along with sticks that they had found in the forest. Phillip tugged on the rope that he had stashed away in his bag.
"Here. You should sleep," said Phillip to Aurora.
"No, I can't," Aurora said, shaking her head.
Phillip stood in front of Aurora. "Just relax, it'll come," he said.
"No, I mean I won't sleep," she said. "Not after what I just went through.
Phillip looked at her and nodded.
Aurora took a step forward, taking his hand. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I just missed you so much," he admitted.
Aurora smiled. "And now you don't have to," she said.
"I'm going to go find wood to build us a fire," he said. "I'll be back in five minutes." He cupped her face and kissed her with passion like it was the last time he'd ever see her.
Aurora laughs once they pull away. "That's a see-you-in-five-minutes kiss?" she asked.
Phillip laughed. "I'm making up for lost time," he answered. "I love you."
Aurora smiled. "I love you, too," she replied.
Phillip squeezed her arms gently, then walked away. His expression was expressionless, and his eyes filled with tears. He was trying not to let Aurora know about what had happened with the necklace.
Mr. Gold was pouring tea into tea cups when Emma, Mary Margaret, and David walked into his shop.
Emma stood in front of Mr. Gold with an angry look, as if she were ready to punch him.
"What can I do for you?" Mr. Gold asked Emma.
"What you can do is tell us what you did," she answered.
"I'm sorry, you're gonna have to be more specific."
"You know damn well what we're talking about," said David.
"You double-crossed Emma, you, uh, took your potion from her," said Mary Margaret.
"And did who-knows-what to this town," said David.
"And worst of all you risked Henry's life," said Emma.
"Well, that is quite a litany of grievances, now, isn't it?" said Mr. Gold.
"Maybe I don't need answers," said Emma. "Maybe I just need to punch you in the face."
"Oh," Mr. Gold laughed. "Really, dearie?" He walked away from the tea and stood in front of the three of them. "Allow, me to answer your questions with some of my own, all right? Did your dear boy, Henry, survive?"
Emma crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah," she said evenly.
"Is the curse broken?" Mr. Gold asked. "And let's see here, Miss Swan, how long have you been searching for your parents? Looks like you're reunited. Seems like rather a punch in the face, I deserve a thank-you."
Emma licked her lips. "Twist my words all you want, what was that purple haze that you brought?" she asked.
"You know. Magic." He simply answered.
"Why?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Not telling," answered Mr. Gold.
A loud bang came from outside and made the building shake and a car started going off. The three of them looked toward the door and David ran to the door to see what it was.
"What the hell was that?" Emma asked.
Mary Margaret stood behind David, too look what was outside.
The creature was outside, destroying the town bit by bit.
"That is my gift to you," said Mr. Gold. "That is gonna take care of Regina."
David and Mary Margaret turned to face Emma.
"Emma, come on!" said Mary Margaret.
"We need to go take care of this," said David.
Emma turned to face Mr. Gold. "We're not done," she warned him.
"Oh, I know," he said, he leaned in slightly. "You still owe me a favor."
Emma gave Mr. Gold a tight, small smile and walked out the door with Mary Margaret, and David.
Mr. Gold cleared his throat while Belle came out from the back of the room. "Hey," he said to Belle.
"You lied to me," Belle's voice broke slightly.
"No, I kept my word," Mr. Gold said, shaking his head slightly. "I will not kill her."
Belle shook her head and walked toward Mr. Gold. "You know… You toy with words like you do people. You're still a man who makes wrong choices." She sighed heavily. "And I thought you had changed."
"What, in the hour you've known me?" Mr. Gold asked.
Belle started to cry softly and walked toward the door.
Mr. Gold sighed and closed his eyes briefly as he turned to her. "Belle, I'm sorry," he called out. "Belle, I'm sorry."
Belle looked back for a split second, opening the door slightly.
"I am," he said.
Belle walked out the door. Mr. Gold just watched her walk out of his shop, not knowing what to do now. He knew that he had to make it up to her. To show her that he is sorry for all of this.
Aurora was sitting in the small tent while Mulan was trying to get a fire started. After a few seconds, the Wraith started roaring. Aurora stood up and walked out of the small tent and was standing near Mulan.
"Where's Phillip?" asked Aurora.
"I thought he was in your tent," said Mulan.
"He said he was making a fire," said Aurora with a frown.
Mulan looked up at Aurora. "I'm making the fire," she said.
"I can see that," said Aurora.
Mulan stood up and turned slightly. "He left," she said. "The horses are gone."
Aurora looked at Mulan. "Why would he leave?" she asked.
"Because he was marked," Mulan realized as she said that.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Going after him," said Mulan. "He's sacrificing himself for you." She picked up her sword.
"No, for both of us! We have to get him!" Aurora shouted at her.
Mulan started walking off, looking over her shoulder. "I'm going alone. You'll only slow me down," she called over her shoulder.
"No, I won't slow you…," she started to say. "Mulan! Mulan!" She called out to her.
Mulan started to run into the woods, trying to find the source of the sound.
Aurora got her cloak from inside the tent. "Mulan, wait!" She shouted out while hiking up her dress in one hand while trying to catch up to Mulan. "Mulan!" She shouted, looking around the woods, trying to find her.
The Wraith was soaring through the sky of Storybrooke, roaring loudly. Regina gasped when the electricity flickered, she looked around the cell. "Hello? Who's there?" she called out.
The Wraith was getting closer and closer to Regina's cell, it started roaring. It used its power to remove the cell door to the wall and Regina stood up and pressed her back into the wall, fear in her eyes. A bright blue light came out of the Wraith's hand toward Regina and it started sucking her soul into the blue light.
"Hey!" David called out with a chair in his hands and he hit the Wraith with it, it screeched out and turned toward David.
The Wraith flung David to the wall, Emma and Mary Margaret looked at David with a gasp of fear. The Wraith moved the desk toward David and he jumped out of the way while he went back to Regina, trying to suck the soul out of her.
Mary Margaret walked closer to the Wraith with a lighter. "Over here!" she yelled and clicked the lighter on then used hair spray to make the fire go onto the creature. The Wraith screeched in pain and flew out of the window.
Emma and David slowly got up and Regina was on the floor, coughing and gasping.
Emma ran toward Regina to help her on her feet. "What the hell was that thing?" she asked.
"A Wraith," Regina gasped out. "A soul sucker."
"Did I…" Mary Margaret started to ask.
"Kill it?" Regina finished. "No. It's regenerating. It'll be back. It doesn't stop until it devours its prey. Me."
Emma looked at Regina. "So, how do we kill it?" she asked.
"There's no way," Regina said, sadly. "You can't kill something that's already dead."
"Then we have a problem," said Emma.
"No, we don't," said David. "Regina does."
Regina looked at David. "What?" she asked, shocked.
"David?" said Mary Margaret.
"You wanna let her die?" Emma asked.
"Why not? Then it goes away. Then we're safe," he answered.
"It's quite the example you're setting for your daughter, there," said Regina.
David walked up to Regina, pointing a finger at her. "No. You don't get to judge us!" His voice was hard.
"Let me ask you something, where do you think that thing came from?" she asked. "Gold."
Emma looked at her father. "I made a promise to Henry," she said. "She's not dying."
Regina looked at Emma with surprise.
Mary Margaret smiled at her daughter. "If it can't be killed, what do you suggest?" she asked.
"Send it somewhere it can't hurt anyone," said Regina.
Emma and Regina were back at Regina's house with the Mad Hatter's hat box, she lifted the lid and set it on the table. She looked at Emma. "Did Henry really ask you to protect me?" she asked.
"Yes," said Emma, nodded once.
Regina smiled at Emma a little. She took out the hat.
"The hat," said Emma softly. "You had it all along."
"What do you mean?" asked Regina.
"That's Jefferson's hat," said Emma.
"Who's Jefferson?"
Mary Margaret and David came into the room with a few brooms in their hands.
"Torches. For when it comes back," said David. "I know it's old-fashioned, but so am I."
"So, how does it work?" Mary Margaret asked.
Regina and the others went to a different room—a much bigger room. She had the hat in her hands. "It will open a portal to our land," she started explaining, setting the hat in the middle of the room. "All we have to do is send the Wraith in there."
David set the brooms on the table. "Oh, yeah, just that," he said.
"I don't understand, I thought our land was gone," said Mary Margaret.
"It is," said Regina. "But sending it to a place that no longer exists… Well, that's banishing it to oblivion." She started spinning the hat and then the rumbling started and the electricity started crackling.
David, Emma, and Mary Margaret held up with fired brooms.
"Regina…," said Emma softly.
"I'm trying," she said, starting to panic a bit as she kept spinning the hat.
The Wraith screeched and the doors opened, the four of them were panicking and were hoping that Regina's plan would work.
Mulan squat down and touched the ground then she heard the horse nickers and she took out her sword quickly and spun around fast.
"I found one of the horses," said Aurora. "I'm coming with you." She got down from the horse.
"You need to stay here. It's dangerous," said Mulan, putting her sword away.
"I wasn't asking for your permission," said Aurora, walking towards Mulan.
"That thing out there is dangerous. And Phillip? He left to protect you," she said. "So even if I don't believe in his methods, I'm gonna honor his wishes. I'm gonna keep you safe."
"I never asked him to."
"You never had to. Everything he does, he does for you. And now he's gonna do for you. Love is sacrifice. Something you clearly don't understand." Mulan turned her back to Aurora and started to walk away.
"I'm not gonna let him face that alone," said Aurora.
Mulan stopped walking. "He won't," she said. "But with all due respect, Your Highness, Phillip's best chance is me."
"You love him," Aurora said softly.
"What?" she asked, turning her head slightly.
"Phillip. You love him, too."
"I owe him much. We fought many battles together, side by side. Nothing more." Mulan turned to face her.
"Deny it all you want, I know love when I see it."
"You're wrong."
The Wraith was roaring in the distance, Mulan and Aurora looked up and around for a moment. It was close.
"Phillip…," said Aurora sadly.
The Wraith came into the room, screeching loudly at Emma, Regina, Mary Margaret, and David. David stood in front of the Wraith with the flaming broom.
"Regina," said Emma.
"I know," she said, she kept trying to spin the hat.
David swung the flaming broom at the Wraith but it backed up and tried to swat the broom out of David's hands.
Mary Margaret poured the alcohol on the banister rail and Emma looked at her mother. "David!" she called out to him.
David looked back at her for a moment and then ran back, closing the banister and setting the flamed broom on the soaked rail. It caught fire immediately.
Regina looked back and David yelled, "Hurry!"
"It's not working!" Regina said.
David kept swinging the flamed broom at the Wraith and it roared at him with frustration.
Phillip waved his torch and yelled, "Come on, you bastard!" He looked around the forest, trying to find the Wraith. But the silence was only met.
Mulan and Aurora came instead and Phillip turned to look at them. "No! Stay back!" he yelled at the two women.
Aurora and Mulan got down off the horse and Aurora ran toward him. "Phillip! What are you doing?" she asked.
"You know what I'm doing," he said.
"No, please. We can help you fight!"
"Go! It will find me."
The Wraith roared, it was close and Phillip was panicking.
"I've been marked. It's too late for me," he said, showing them his hand. "Go, there's no other way."
"Yes, there is," said Mulan, standing next to Aurora. "Give me the talisman, I can mark myself. You can live."
"This is my choice. To save you," said Phillip. "To save both to you."
"No, Phillip, I don't wanna live without you," said Aurora.
"Neither do I," said Phillip.
The Wraith roared and swooped down and went toward the three of them, Phillip went in front of the two women.
"You two need to keep each other safe," said Phillip, waving the torch.
"Phillip, no!" screamed Aurora, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The Wraith hovered the ground in front of Phillip, roaring at him. Phillip lowered the torch and looked at Aurora. "I love you," he said softly to her. He threw the torch onto the ground.
"Stop!" Aurora yelled.
The Wraith stretched out its hand and the bright blue light shot out and hit Phillip, sucking out his soul.
"No!" Aurora yelled.
"Phillip!" Mulan yelled.
"No, Phillip, no!" Aurora yelled.
Phillip dropped down to his knees and Aurora started sobbing.
"Phillip, no! Stop!" yelled Aurora, dropping down to her knees. "Phillip! Phillip!" Mulan and Aurora went over to Phillip and started crying.
David kept waving the flamed broom at the Wraith as the Wraith kept trying to get past David to Regina.
"It's not working!" Regina yelled over her shoulder, she kept spinning the hat.
"What is the problem?" Emma asked, standing behind Regina.
"Magic," Regina said. "It's different here."
"Now would be the time!" yelled David, thrusting the flamed broom at the Wraith which roared at him.
Emma bent down and gripped Regina's upper arm and the hat started to spin, and purple smoke came out of the hat. David kept swinging the flamed broom at the Wraith as Emma and Regina stood up and took a few steps back.
The Wraith slammed David across the room and David went flying and he hit the floor, he grunted in pain. The Wraith came toward Regina.
"It's coming!" yelled David.
"Regina!" Emma yelled as she pushed Regina out of the way.
The Wraith got into the hat but he outstretched his hand and the bright blue light shot out of its hand and got Emma instead.
"No!" screamed Mary Margaret and David.
"I'm not losing her again!" screamed Mary Margaret and she jumped into the hat.
"Neither am I," said David, and as soon as he jumped over the railing, the hat stopped and the purple smoke left.
Mulan and Aurora had taken Phillip's body to the same place where Aurora had laid once. They were both looking down at him with sad eyes.
"This palace was to be our home," said Aurora. "We were to spend eternity here."
"How did you end up here in your cursed state?" Mulan asked.
Aurora looked at Mulan. "You're not the only one who knows about sacrifice," she said.
Mulan took out the talisman and put it in a bag, handing Aurora the bag. "You should have it," she said.
Aurora looked at the bag and took it gently from her. "Thank you," she said gently. Mulan placed a hand on Aurora.
David was on his hands and knees and looked everywhere on the floor shaking his head. "No," he whispered. He picked up the hat and stared at it for a long minute. Then he looked up slowly at Regina and stood up with the hat in his hands. "Where are they?" he yelled.
"I have no idea," she admitted.
David quickly made his way to Regina. "Are they dead?" he asked.
"The curse, it destroyed all the lands," she said.
"Are they dead?" he yelled.
"I don't know," she answered.
"I should've killed you myself!" He said with tears in his eyes.
"Well, then, what's stopping you?" she said, she pushed him hard and she used her powers to pin him against the wall, and the vines from the wall pinned him in place. "You think you're some heroic Prince?" She walked up to him. "Please. You're nothing but the son of a shepherd. I should've killed you when I could. And now…" David was gasping for air when the vines tightened against him. "Now I can."
"Mom?" Henry said, coming into the room with Ruby behind him.
Regina turned around and stopped using her powers. "Henry, what are you doing here?" she asked, walking over to the two.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"It's okay," she said, with a soft smile. "You're safe now."
David was finally free from the vines, gasping for air and coughing as he fell to his knees. Ruby came running to help him stand up on his feet.
"Where's my mom? Where's…" Henry started to ask.
"They're gone," Regina said. "They fell through a portal. They're… I'm so sorry."
"No, you're not," Henry said, shaking his head. "You really are the Evil Queen. I don't wanna see you again."
"No, don't say that," Regina's voice broke. "I love you." She touched his cheek gently.
"Then, prove it," said Henry. "Get Emma and Mary Margaret back. And until then, leave me, leave everyone alone."
"Well, where will you go?" she asked.
"With me," said David.
Regina turned and looked at David, they stared at each other for a few seconds before David started walking toward them slowly. He placed a hand on Henry's shoulder and walked out of the building with Ruby following them behind. Leaving Regina in the room by herself, watching them.
Mr. Gold was in his shop, making wool from his spin wheel. Belle came in and moved the curtain aside to walk into the room.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," he said.
"I went for a long walk," she said, standing in front of him.
"I thought you didn't wanna see me," he said.
"I didn't," she said. "But I was worried."
"Well, the beast is gone. Regina lives."
"So, uh, you didn't get what you wanted?" she asked.
"Well, that remains to be seen."
Belle looked at him and then looked at the table, she walked over to it and picked up the chipped teacup that he had kept all this time. "You still have it?" she asked, laughing. "My chipped cup."
Mr. Gold stood up. "There are many, many things in this shop," he said. "But this…" he took the cup from her hands. "This is the only thing I truly cherish. And now you must leave."
"What?" she asked confused.
"You must leave, because despite what you hope, I'm still a monster."
Belle smiled and laughed, she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Don't you see? That's exactly the reason I have to stay," she said softly.
David and Henry opened the door to Emma's and Mary Margaret's apartment, Henry walked in and looked around the place, he set his book bag down next to the door and walked over to the picture of Emma and Mary Margaret, looking at them.
David closed the door and walked in, looking at Henry. "Henry?" he said.
"Yeah?" Henry asked, looking over at David.
"Don't worry," he said. "Emma and Mary Margaret, they're alive."
"How do you know?" Henry asked.
"I have faith," he admitted.
"But…" Henry started to say.
"Henry, come here," said David, standing in front of Henry. "I will find them. I will always find them."
Aurora laid her head down on Phillip's chest, sniffling softly. She wished she could have done something to protect her love but she didn't know what to do about it.
"We should leave this place. It's not safe here," said Mulan.
Aurora lifted her head and looked at Mulan, who stood beside her. "But the Wraith is gone," she said.
"There's more. You need to know everything," said Mulan.
Aurora looked at Mulan confused about what she meant.
Mulan sighed and looked at Aurora. "Much has changed in our land since you've been asleep," she said.
"It was less than a year."
"In a manner of speaking. You see, as you slept, and Phillip and I searched for you, something worse happened."
"What?"
"Are you familiar with Regina, the Queen?"
"Yes."
"She cast a curse on this land. A terrible, terrible curse. It ripped everyone away to another world."
"But we're still here."
"This corner of the land was untouched. No one knows why. But something saved us. And for 28 years we were frozen. And then, time started again. The terrible curse's power was weakened. Phillip and I were able to resume our search. We found you. But the land is ravaged with dangers more fearsome than you can imagine. For those of us who remain, we found a safe haven. We must go there now."
There was a rumble when Mulan finished explaining to Aurora what had happened in the last 28 years. Mulan and Aurora ran toward the hole where the Wraith had burst out of.
"Something's in there," said Mulan. "Stay back." She started walking closer and closer toward the hole.
"What did it bring?" asked Aurora.
Mulan took out her sword lifted a piece of metal and moved it aside.
"What is it? What do you see?" asked Aurora, as she walked beside Mulan. "Mulan, what is that?"
"That? That is what brought the Wraith here. That's what killed our Prince," said Mulan.
It was Mary Margaret and Emma, who lay unconscious, not knowing what they had done or what they had just gotten themselves into.