STORYBROOKE - PRESENT - BEFORE THE ICE WALL
"Wow, that is a lot of ice," Anna said.
"And it's time for it to come down," Elsa told the group.
"Okay. Now can we go back home?"
"Stop!" Emma yelled. "Don't take another step! That's the town line."
"Right. But I want to leave the town. Didn't I just say that?"
"The wall may be down, but I sense that some of Ingrid's magic remains. Yeah, leaving this town has never been simple. And Ingrid? She didn't change things. She wanted to be here alone with you and me. She wanted to make Storybrooke her ice castle, and clearly she wanted to protect it."
"So how do we get back home?"
"Walking wouldn't get us there anyway. We're in a different realm," Elsa pointed out.
"We need to find a portal," Emma said. "Or magic beans or something."
"Okay, now I'm lost," Kristoff stated.
"Well, then let's get one of those things," Anna suggested. "We have to hurry."
"No, we don't need to rush," Elsa said. "We need to be careful. Arendelle will still be there while we figure this out."
"It might not. Did we forget to tell her?"
"A lot of stuff was going on," Kristoff replied.
"Tell me what?" Elsa asked.
"Arendelle's been conquered... By Hans and his 12 brothers," Anna told her sister.
"Emma, we need to find a way back... Now."
"We'll do our best," Emma reassured.
MR. GOLD'S SHOP
"They didn't leave," Hook said. "The Snow Queen mucked up the border. Once you cross, there's no c... Coming back."
"If only the Snow Queen had succeeded... Everything would be much simpler," Mr. Gold stated.
"Yes. Perfect cover for your exit. But everybody survived. Sorry for the inconvenience."
"What about our friends from Arendelle?"
"Well, they're still searching for a portal back," Matthew replied.
"Well, that is a problem. Can't have that Anna running around town."
"She knows, doesn't she? She knows what you were doing, cleaving yourself from the dagger so you can leave with your power. Emma told me Belle confessed about knowing Anna."
"Still, quite the supposition."
"Why else would you care? Anna's a danger to you. You can't have your blissfully ignorant wife..." Hook was cut off.
"Lose either her bliss or ignorance. Watch Anna. Make sure she comes nowhere near this shop."
"But if I had the choice."
"Well, you don't. Your usefulness was unexpectedly extended. But tonight, when the stars in the sky align with the stars in the sorcerer's hat, I will finally do what I should have done so many years ago. I will crush your heart."
"And while I'm out doing your dirty work, what are you gonna do?"
"I'm simply gonna wake my wife and prepare her for my greatest gift. She's gonna have the life she always wanted."
ENCHANTED FOREST - PAST
Belle was searching in the Dark One's stuff.
"Don't cut yourself, dearie!" Rumpelstiltskin said.
"Aah!" Belle exclaimed. "I am so, so sorry. I thought..."
"You thought I would be away for a few more days and it would be fine to play with my... Toys."
"Well, you did say that..."
"Oh! I lied. I wanted to see how the mouse would play while the cat was away. And the mouse has done very little... Cleaning."
"You just have... You have so many things here from all over the world. I was curious. And... You never talk about them."
"Well, you're the help."
"And you're rude."
"Well, I could be much worse."
"Hmm. But you're not. Look, you have seen the world... Something that I've always wanted to do... Yet you share nothing."
"Mouthy, mouthy. And foolishly brave."
"No, if you were going to kill me, you would have done it long ago. Now, tell me what you've seen. How was your trip to Camelot?"
"Good for me. Not so good for Camelot. A souvenir. Clean it for me, will you?"
"Oh. W-w-what is it?"
"It's a magic gauntlet with a very specific power. It can locate anyone's greatest weakness."
"Hmm. How ominous. B-but why do you need this? W-with all your power, you could destroy any foe."
"Look, if you must know, it's about manipulation. And for that, you must find one's weakness. And for almost everyone, that weakness is the thing they love most. This will simply point me in the right direction."
STORYBROOKE - PRESENT
Mr. Gold woke up Belle.
"Whoa," Belle said. "Breakfast in bed, huh?"
"I have a much bigger surprise coming for you," Mr. Gold told her. "I think it's about time we had a proper honeymoon. How would you like to see a magical city called New York? So, after breakfast, pack a suitcase. It's time for you to see the world."
REGINA'S VAULT
Regina gave Marian her heart. She awoke and exclaimed, "Oh!"
---
Regina sat alone at Granny's Diner. Marian came in.
"Please, I'd rather be alone," Regina said.
"I thought we should talk," Marian replied. "Thank you for saving my life... Twice, actually."
"Forget about it."
"I can't because Robin can't. I see the way you two look at one another. And I understand. For me, it's only been a short time that I've been away. But for him, years have passed. His heart moved on. He's in love with you, Regina. And I think you're in love with him."
"Well, it doesn't really matter. He's a man of honor. He made a vow to you, and he's going to keep it."
"I don't want him to be with me out of obligation. I want to be chosen. If his heart leads him to me, fine. But if it does what I suspect and leads to you... I will step out of the way."
ABANDONED MANSION
"You may have got the best of me this time, Dark One, but I promise you, in the next life, it won't be so pleasant for you," Hook warned.
"Well, then, given my immortality, you'll have quite the wait amongst the fire and brimstone," Mr. Gold replied.
"If I really am to die, at least give me all the information. Whose house is this?"
"A powerful sorcerer. He brought the Snow Queen from Arendelle to this world, which means his magic is strong enough to move between that world and ours. There's a portal around here somewhere. We simply need to find it." The portal appeared. "There."
Belle was packing her clothes and Henry entered.
"Hey, grandma. Are you taking a trip?" Henry asked.
"Uh, yeah," Belle said. "Rumple's taking me to New York for our honeymoon."
"But the Snow Queen left a spell on the town line. Anyone who goes can't return. Didn't you hear?"
"No, I-I-I didn't. But I'm sure he must have a way to remove it. Hey, what's wrong?"
"This book. It's got all your stories in it. It started all this. And my mom... Lots of bad things happen to her in it."
"Well, that doesn't mean they'll always happen to her that way. I... I wouldn't worry. She's on a much better path now."
"Thanks, grandma."
"Yeah, you know... "Belle's" good."
"Got it."
"Okay, so, I need another suitcase. Help me look?"
"You know, when you're in New York, you've got to go to the public library. No offense, but it blows the one here away. It's got these lions outside of it..." A lot of items fell.
"Aah! Are you okay?"
"Sorry. Let me get those. Huh. He really keeps some strange things here. What's wrong? I'll clean it up."
"N-no, no. It's... It's okay. I-I got it. I just, uh, didn't expect to see this here."
ENCHANTED FOREST - PAST - DARK ONE'S CASTLE
"So, I figured it out... Why you collect so many magical objects," Belle said."You have a hole in your heart."
"There's only one thing missing from my life right now. Clean clothes," Rumpelstiltskin retorted, transporting Belle in the forest.
"You're just upset because you know I'm right. And no, I am not talking to myself because I know you can and do listen to me." Belle heard a dog. "Hello, puppy." The dog ran away and Belle followed it. "Hi. Hi. Gah! Where did you go?" Belle was kidnapped.
STORYBROOKE - PRESENT
Hook entered Granny's Diner and said, "Swan. Nevaeh. Come celebrate, for I may not be the Savior, but we've just saved the day."
"Hang on," Emma told him. "Don't get your hopes up yet. Okay. What, exactly, are we celebrating?"
"The portal to Arendelle. I found it. So, bottoms up."
"You... Found a portal?" Jefferson asked with a frown.
"Well, I found Gold, and he told me where to locate one. A door in the ballroom of that lakeside mansion. Yes. It appears that our Rumplestiltskin has turned over a new leaf."
"Apparently dozens of leaves," Nevaeh commented. "You sure we can trust him?"
---
Mr. Gold held Hook's heart in one hand and spoke through it. "Positive. The Crocodile truly has changed."
GRANNY'S DINER
"He gave me a long-winded explanation about a... Portal," Hook said.
"About how it brought the, uh..." Mr. Gold trailed.
"Snow Queen into this land... Which I don't recall.
"But the important thing is it works."
"All they have to do is walk through it."
"Then we should go," Emma told him.
"Brilliant. You do that. I, alas..."
"Bruised myself during the curse," Mr. Gold finished. "Really need to get it seen to."
Hook was about to leave, but Emma stopped him by saying, "Hey, Killian. What's wrong? You're acting strange."
"Nothing. I'm fine," Hook lied.
"See you around... Love, " Mr. Gold said.
Hook held Emma's wrist, then locked eyes with Nevaeh, and left.
ENCHANTED FOREST - PAST
Rumpelstiltskin was looking for Belle. "Belle? Belle?! Where have you gone? Don't tell me you've done something stupid like running away!" A raven gave him a message.
"Rumplestiltskin, I'm... I'm supposed to ask you for... For that gauntlet from Camelot. Bring it to the base of Demon's Bluff at midnight or... Or I'll be killed. Rumple, help!" Belle said.
"You! I know where you came from! Tell your master I know who she is and she's just crossed a line!"
STORYBROOKE - PRESENT - IN THE PARK
They look happy, " Regina noted.
"Having Marian back in his life, it means so much to Roland," Robin Hood said.
"I understand. At the end of the day, our children come first."
"Regina?"
"She's his mother."
"I choose you."
"But... But Roland. What would this look like to him?"
"It's gonna look like a messy, complicated situation, which it is. But if I went back to my life with Marian, I'd be living a lie. The best example I can set to my son is to live truthfully... To follow my heart... To you."
"Papa! Papa, help! Help, Papa!" Roland cried as Marian fell.
"I thought she was cured!"
"There must be some remnant of that spell still inside her," Regina explained. "Even by now her heart should be infected."
"So there's no hope?"
"There may be another way to save her. Now that the ice wall is down, she could leave Storybrooke. She can cross the town line and enter a world without magic. Without magic, the harm to her would end."
"S... S... So let's get to the town line!"
"Robin, you need to know something. It's a one-way trip. There's a curse on the town line, and once you leave, that's it."
"So you're saying..."
"I'm saying that we can't just send Marian into an unknown world. Someone has to go with her... You and Roland. And once you do go... You can never come back."
Regina was in her car watching the Merry Men. Mr. Gold joined her.
"I hate goodbyes," Mr. Gold said. "Don't you?"
"If you've come here to gloat, I'm really not in the mood," Regina retorted. "What do you want?"
"Belle and I are taking a trip. I came to bid you farewell."
"Have you been under a rock all day? There's a curse on the town line. If you leave, you can never come back."
"Hence the goodbye. But before I go, could you pass something on to my grandson? Tell Henry I'll miss him... And his charming attempts at snooping around my shop."
"You knew."
"Oh, I knew. Perhaps you can tell me why."
"He was looking for the impossible... My happy ending. The Storybook has me written as a villain, and villains always lose, so... He thought you might have a clue as to who the author is so I can make him change that."
"Intriguing idea. But, alas, I've no clue as to his identity."
"I know. Villains don't get happy endings."
"It would appear, in your case, that that's true."
"You and Belle seem... Content. How were you able to get one?"
"Because I took it. And, quite frankly, you should, uh, stop moping and do the same thing. I mean, if this Marian died, all would be well, would it not?"
"That's no longer me."
"Being good doesn't mean good things will happen."
"This sounds like the old Rumplestiltskin talking. I thought you changed."
"More like evolved. Coming back from the dead and being a slave to the Wicked Witch tends to do that to you. But if you don't think villains can get happy endings, just watch me take one. There's no author of my fate, no Storybook with my destiny. I've been a villain a thousand times over, and yet I'm about to get everything I desire. As unbelievable as it sounds, I want the same for you." Mr. Gold left.
Regina joined the Merry Men, Marian, Roland and Robin Hood.
"Mom," Roland called.
"The diner I told you about is just a few miles down the road," Regina said.
"Right. Uh, Regina..." Robin Hood was cut off.
"And you have the map I gave you? A... And the money, so that should be plenty to get you started."
"Yes, but..."
"Good. Then you should go."
"Thank you."
"She needs to cross the line now."
"Okay, you guys, go. I'll be right behind you, I promise. I just... I just need a moment, okay?"
"Of course," Marian said. "Thank you." She and Roland crossed the line.
"Mama!" Roland called.
"Robin?" Marian asked.
"Your family is waiting," Regina told him. "Go."
Robin Hood kissed Regina. "I..."
"I know," Regina said as Robin Hood crossed the line.
"Papa!" Roland exclaimed.
ENCHANTED FOREST - PAST - BASE OF DEMON'S BLUFF
"I have what you want, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin said. "Now show yourself."
"Rumple!" Belle called. "Ow! Help!"
"Yes, Rumplestiltskin!" Maleficent exclaimed. "Do help her!"
"Maleficent. Oh, I am impressed. Didn't think you had it in you."
"I'm not here for your praise. Give me the gauntlet and you can have your wench back."
"Seeing as how you asked so nicely..." Rumplestiltskin strangled Maleficent with his powers. "You think you can steal from the Dark One and live? Fatal mistake, dearie! Any last words?"
"I'm... Not... Alone."
"The Sea Witch."
"Such a pretty thing," Ursula said. "Seems a shame I'll have to crack her pipes."
"Harm one hair on her head, Maleficent burns."
"And Ursula will kill your maid, and where will that leave us?" Cruella asked.
"Cruella! Thought I caught a whiff of desperation and gin. I must say, I'm... I'm surprised to see you all here. Last time we crossed, it looked like things weren't going your way. And unless you hand back my maid, they won't be this time, either."
"Shall I get you a step stool so you can look in my eyes when you threaten me?"
"I don't need to threaten you, dearie. It took three of you to get this far, and I promise it isn't far enough."
"Have it your way. Ursula, darling, crush the maid's heart."
"That was, uh, a rather risky endeavour for an old glove, dearies." Rumplestiltskin gave Cruella the gauntlet.
"Oh, the risk was worth it," Ursula told him. "For too long we've lived in a world where the heroes always win."
"And the gauntlet will reveal our enemies' weaknesses, and we will be the victors," Cruella added.
"Let her go," Maleficent ordered, using her powers to make the Queens of Darkness disappear.
"Why... Why would you do that?" Belle asked. "I... I... I mean, with that object..."
"They still won't be able to harm you," Rumpelstiltskin told her.
"Why do you care about me?"
"I don't. But if anyone's gonna crush your heart, it's gonna be me."
STORYBROOKE - PRESENT - CLOCK TOWER
"When the stars on the hat align with those in the sky, we shall begin," Mr. Gold said.
"You mean I shall end," Hook corrected. "Let's not start mincing our words now."
"Oh, how brave. I half-expected you to crumble at the precipice of your demise."
"I'm not the one who's a coward."
"Well, then, you'll enjoy watching this coward crush your heart."
MANSION
"This place is amazing," Henry said. "Mom, Nevaeh, I'll, uh, be right back." He ran off, followed by Grace.
Nevaeh and Scarlet were both holding a twin's hand. Jefferson was holding his wife's other hand.
"Hey, kids, wait," Emma called.
"Henry, Grace-" Nevaeh and Jefferson began.
"Well, Emma, I think this is it," Mary Margaret stated.
"Crocuses!" Anna exclaimed. "Arendelle crocuses! Elsa, we're almost home."
"Wait, maybe I should open it," Emma suggested. "Magic can be unpredictable."
"So this is it," Elsa said.
"Appears so."
"Thank you for taking such good care of my sister," Anna told Emma.
"It's kind of what we do."
"It's our pleasure," Mary Margaret replied. "Now, don't you all have a kingdom to go save?"
"We sure do," Anna answered. "I hope Hans isn't too comfortable on that throne 'cause I'm gonna knock him right off the minute we get back."
"And the second minute we're back, maybe we could get married?" Kristoff suggested. "Just a thought."
"Emma, thank you for everything," Elsa said. "You've done so much. I could never repay you." She hugged Emma. "It's time. Please, thank Hook and Mr. Gold for us, as well."
Emma opened the door. Elsa and Kristoff went through the portal but Anna stopped.
"Good luck," Mary Margaret said.
"I wish I had met this Mr. Gold," Anna stated. "He seems super helpful. Who is he? I mean, who is he in the other world? Wait, let me guess. He was a fairy godfather, wasn't he?"
"Well, not exactly," David replied. "He was an evil sorcerer you're lucky you never met. Rumplestiltskin."
"Wait, what?"
"You know him?" Emma asked. "He explicitly said he didn't know anything about you."
"Well, that's a lie. Not that I'm surprised. All he does is lie."
"So Gold was playing us the whole time," Scarlet said with a scoff. "But why?"
CLOCK TOWER
Mr. Gold started the spell to release him from the dagger and said, "It's time."
Emma, Nevaeh and Mary Margaret entered and the former yelled, "Gold! Stop!"
Scarlet and Jefferson had chosen to stay outside with the twins.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I've waited too long for this. And I'm too close." He froze Emma, Nevaeh and Mary Margaret. "Well, maybe not everything has went to plan. But this next part... I'm really gonna enjoy." Mr Gold was crushing Hook's heart.
"Aah!" Hook cried.
"I don't understand. Why can't I..."
"Because I commanded you not to," Belle said. "Drop the heart. Now release everyone. And now? Now you can take us to the town line because we need to be alone for what comes next."
TOWN LINE
"Belle, what are you doing?" Mr. Gold asked.
"Finally facing the truth," Belle replied.
"No, please put the dagger down and let me explain."
"No! It's my turn to talk. Do you remember the first time you saved my life? You traded for me. I thought I... I saw something in you, something good. Well, I found that gauntlet today. And that's when I... I finally realized that all the signs I'd been seeing were correct. You'd never give up power for me, Rumple. You never have. You never will."
"Y... Y... you don't understand."
"No. You told me that gauntlet could lead you to... to someone's weakness, to the thing they loved the most. Well, you know where it led me, Rumple? To the real dagger. Your true love is your power."
"I like the power. But there's nothing wrong with power, not when it means that... That I... That we... That we can have it all."
"I just wanted you. I wanted to be chosen, not... I tried to be everything for you, Rumple. But I wasn't. And I... I lost my way trying to help you find yourself. Not anymore."
"Please, Belle. I... I... I'll make it up to you. I... I... I've changed once before. I can do it again."
"You've never changed."
"Please."
"No! It's too late. Once I... I saw the man behind the beast. Now there's only a beast. Rumplestiltskin, I command you... To leave Storybrooke."
"Belle, no. Please. I won't be able to come back."
"I know."
"I... I... I don't want to lose you."
"You already have."
"Belle, please. I'm afraid. Belle! Belle! No! Belle! Belle, please!"
ARENDELLE - CASTLE
"Isn't it beautiful?" Anna said. "I found it hidden in the east wing. What? Is it my hair? You're right. I should have worn the braids."
"Anna, you look absolutely perfect," Elsa told her.
"I wouldn't say perfect. Did you see these bruises?"
"Have you seen Hans' eye?"
"Yeah. Totally worth it. Okay. Let's get this wedding on the road. I mean "on the aisle.""
"Anna, why did you do it? Why did you postpone your whole wedding just to find out the truth?"
"Elsa. You're my sister. I couldn't walk down this aisle unless you were as happy as I was."
"Anna, I'm... Very happy." They hugged.
"What is that amazing smell?"
"Chocolate!" the sisters exclaimed.
"You ready?" Elsa asked.
"Ready," Anna confirmed.
STORYBROOKE - GRANNY'S DINER
"Just be gent... Ohh!" Hook groaned.
"Sorry," Emma apologized. "I just thought if I did it quickly, it'd be like ripping off a..."
He kissed Emma. "I told you, Swan. I'm a survivor."
---
"I'm not in the mood for a hope speech, Emma, Nevaeh," Regina said.
"You're mistaking us for my mother," Emma told her. "Besides, you don't need a speech. You need a drinking buddy. Shots?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Three. You know you did the right thing today."
"There it is... A hope speech. I thought we were drinking."
"It's not a speech. It's a compliment."
"Well, I don't need your validation. I know I did the right thing. I know because I'm miserable... Again."
"Thanks. Well, if it makes you feel any better, so is Gold."
"It does."
Henry and Grace entered.
"Whoa, kids," Emma said. "Slow down."
"Mom!" Henry cried. "Mom! Grace and I found something big! You're gonna want to see this. Come on, Nevaeh!"
ABANDONED MANSION
"After you guys left, Grace and I stayed behind to look around, and we found something," Henry told them.
"A library!" Regina exclaimed.
"Not just any library. Look."
"That looks like your book," Emma noted.
"Only it's blank. They all are. And if this place is full of potential Storybooks..."
"Then maybe this is the author's house," Regina finished. "Henry, Grace, you did it!"
"Did what?" Nevaeh asked. "What's going on?"
"Well, uh, we were looking for the author. I was hoping he could write me a happier story."
"We called that "Operation Mongoose,"" Grace said.
"I like it. It's got style," Emma stated. "I'm in."
Nevaeh nodded. "I am too. Scarlet might be; you should ask her."
"You are?" Regina questioned.
"I made you a promise I intend to keep," Emma said. "Everyone deserves their happy ending."
NEW YORK - SIX WEEKS LATER
Mr. Gold was walking New York's streets.
ENCHANTED FOREST - PAST - BASE OF DEMON'S BLUFF
"There may come a day when the students surpass the master," Rumpelstiltskin said. "But today is not that day. I want my gauntlet."
"We made a deal, Rumple, and you never go back on a deal," Maleficent told him.
"No. I paid a ransom. Quite different. Demanding a ransom from the Dark One is not a deal. It's a death wish... And a fool's errand. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"Whatever you're up to, it'll never work," Cruella said. "The game is rigged. The villains never win."
"Why don't you join us?" Ursula suggested. "Perhaps we can change the game together."
"You severely underestimate me, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin replied. "I always win. And I win alone. I certainly don't need to join you, uh, Queens of Darkness."
NEW YORK - SIX WEEKS LATER
Mr. Gold met Ursula at the Aquarium.
"It's all I got," Ursula said. "If you're not happy about it, try eating each other."
"I hear cannibalism is frowned upon in the aquatic world," Mr. Gold commented. "Or maybe you could tell me differently."
"So, this is what a man who always wins looks like."
"I assure you, Ursula, my situation is only temporary."
"Really? How you gonna fix that, play the lotto?"
"I'd like to tell you a story. It's about heroes and villains, where the villains always lose."
"Seems like someone's changed his tune."
"I've learned the rules do apply to me, but also there's someone who can change those rules."
"Who?"
"For now, let's call him "The Author.""
"Pretentious. I hate him already."
"Then let's go see him. Tell him what we think. Unless you prefer life as a fish-food dispenser."
"But if you're coming to me for help, I can assume it won't be easy. Who's standing in our way?"
"The usual people... The heroes. Let's get your things. We've two more stops to make."