Sound of Surviving

31

"How will that help me?" Hook and Nevaeh asked.

"This new realm? It's a land without magic. Where the Dark One will be stripped of his powers. There, you won't need any magical weapon to kill him. You can do it with a mere flick of your wrist."

"Tell me what I have to do," Hook said.

"There's one person I don't want following me to this new land. You're to see to it that doesn't happen."

"An assassination. Who is it you want me and Nevaeh to dispose of?"

"My mother."

Nevaeh shook her head. "I've heard stories of her from Jefferson, and I've had brief encounters with her. I don't wish to come in contact with her again."

STORYBROOKE - PRESENT

In Mr. Gold's shop, Regina checked on David, who was still under the sleeping curse.

"Any change?" Mr. Gold asked.

"No," Regina replied. "He's not improving. He needs true love's kiss. He won't wake up until Mary Margaret comes back."

"Until? Well, that's rather optimistic, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"They're up against your mother. The only chance Snow, Scarlet and Emma have of defeating her, is with the squid ink."

"Which is why you sent the message through David."

"Which would be beneficial, if we knew that message were delivered. But alas, given the Prince's condition, we don't know. As such, it's important we take precautions. We have to consider the possibility that, when that portal opens, it won't be his family that come through. It'll be Cora."

"And neither one of us wants that."

"We have to find where they're coming through, and destroy the portal."

"But whoever came through would die."

"Exactly. But, I'm confident between the two of us, we can summon up enough magic to complete the task."

"Well, what if we're wrong? What if that portal opens up and it's not my mother. What if Mary Margaret, Jackie and Emma do defeat Cora, and go through it?"

"Well, I believe in this world, they call that a win-win."

"How exactly is that?"

"If we stop Cora, you are protected from your mother's wrath. If, on the other hand, we stop Snow and Emma, well... You become the only mother in your son's life, now don't you? Look, magic is unpredictable in this world. If something unfortunate were to happen while you were trying to help... Henry could hardly blame you for that, could he?"

"No. I can't lie to him. I am trying to be a better mother."

"You won't be a better anything if Cora comes through. And if she does, she will be a threat to everyone - including your son. So, if you truly want to be a good mother to Henry - to protect him - if you want to be better, prove it."

FAIRY TALE WORLD

Mary Margaret and company arrived at Rumpelstiltskin's cell.

"Rumpelstiltskin's cell," Mary Margaret said. "I haven't been here since before Regina's curse. This is where he told us you were going to be the savior."

"He knew?" Emma asked.

"It was prophesied. Come on."

Inside, they found the cell completely empty.