(Sup people. Now listen, I'm gonna be real with y'all. I don't really care for the "We Are Both" episode. The only thing that saved it was the Cora and rumple stuff but other than that I don't care. In fact, I was gonna skip that episode and go straight to 3 since it's more important to the story of Noah and Sam. However, I had a brilliant idea for the things I could do with David. Let's just say it more than makes this feel just a little bit more relevant. I hope you all enjoy it. I apologize for some of the lack of polish this chapter has. Like I said, i really don't care for the episode.)

Last time on WSIWG(The Book title of the AU shortened), the 3 monsters came after the evil queen to put her down. Rumpelstiltskin, The Waith, and Noah. The dark lord came very close to putting Regina in an early grave when his family had stopped him. However, luckily for him, the wraith was trying to finish the job. However, the "Charming" family(Noah excluded) wouldn't let that happen. They attempt to save the queen and succeed but at the cost of losing Emma, Snow White, Noah, and even Sam as they portal into the enchanted forest. How will Charming get them back? How will the quartet survive in the Enchanted forest? Will Noah kill anyone? How will the town deal with the aftermath of the curse breaking and their being magic in their town? What will Regina do? Find out NOW!

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. The Seven Dwarves are at the town line. Leroy sprays a line over the Storybrooke border.

Leroy: This, gentlemen, is our mission, the great barrier of our existence. Does it remain? We must investigate the line. (He pulls out a small bag with straws inside) I made straws. Short one crosses. Draw.
Happy: With the curse broken, we can cross, right? Should be no problem yeah?
Walter: With magic back, it could be even worse now.
Doc: Like, vaporize us.
Bashful: Let's go home.
Leroy: Guys! We are the royal guard! Dwarves loyal to Snow White! This is our chance to prove ourselves to the prince. We must do this. Show your hands. (Mr. Clark is holding the shortest straw.)
Mr. Clark: (Sneezes twice)
Leroy: You're up, Snotty. (Exhales deeply)
Mr. Clark: You know, what if we found a turtle and sort of nudged it over first?
Leroy: Oh, for the love of... (pushes Mr. Clark over the line.) (whoosh) Sneezy, you okay? Sneezy!

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. The people of Storybrooke are trying to regain order after the breaking of the curse and the Wraith attack. Some townspeople are gathered in front of a wall of missing people. Marco puts up a picture of Pinocchio.

Marco: My boy. My poor boy.
Ruby: If you are looking for a family member, come to the front table. If you need counseling, Dr. Hopper has a signup sheet. (Siren wails) If the wraith damaged your house, there are cots at the school.
Mother Superior: (Sighs) This is getting out of hand. People are in a panic. They don't know what to do.
Ruby: It's okay. It'll be fine. We just need everyone to remain calm. I have a feeling our prince is working on something right now.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Regina Mills' House. Pounding on door. David enters.

David Nolan: Tell me... about this.
Regina Mills: Surprised you don't have armed guards 'round the clock.
David: Don't need 'em. We both know if you step outside, there's a line a mile long for your head.
Regina: Who's going to risk coming at me?
David: Take your chances then. But, I think that little wallpaper trick was an anomaly. If you had your abilities back, this town would be charcoal by now. You're having problems with magic, aren't you? Right now the only thing keeping you alive is that Henry wishes it. Now this.
Regina: It's the hat that pulled your loved ones and MY daughter away.
David: Well, where did you get it?
Regina: I've long since forgotten. You know what? Maybe you should be less concerned with hats and more concerned with taking care of my son as well as finding a way to rescue my daughter.
David: Oh, because you took such great care of him. And also, (Gestures to the hat) THIS is my ticket to finding my family, and that INCLUDES Sam!
Regina: I will not listen to childcare lectures from a man who put his daughter and son in boxes and shipped them to Maine.

Suddenly, uncharacteristically, he grabs her throat before saying

David: Oh, yeah? Who's fault is that?! Who used the curse that forced me to send them away in the hopes that they would save us? You! You did! You need to have some damn self-awareness, i thought you would seeing as you spent your days looking at mirrors in the enchanted forest! Also, i won't take the advice of the woman who made their adopted child feel insane!

Regina had her eyes widened, she didn't expect this from David. She never remembers him being so...violently impulsive. Then something clicked in the back of her mind. Something that caused her to laugh, even while choked. David furiously yells in a surprisingly dark voice.

David: What's so damn funny?!

Regina: hehe. You know, I wondered where Noah got such brutality. How someone like him could emerge from a family of "heroes". Perhaps from whatever demons the little "sweet and innocent" murderer hides from the public eye? I never expected...*takes a few breaths*...it to be from you!

She begins to laugh again and David, as if snapping back to reality, lets her go before looking at his hand. Was that...him? Could he have really done this? N-no. It couldn't have been. H-he's just been through a rough day. Regina begins to get up from the ground, her back still sore from when she was tossed by rumple, and rubs her neck. This was the 2nd time she was choked in the span of 2 days. This was becoming a trend and she wasn't liking it. She needed her magic back fast. She can't stand being this...powerless. Once she's up, David begins talking again.

David: Okay. Listen. I need my family. There's magic here now. There have to be ways to follow them.

Regina: Follow them where? Into a sucking airless void? And good luck getting magic to work, because as you said, you'd be charcoal.
David: Ah, frustrated, are we? Serves you right. You earned every bit of this.
Regina: Keep on baiting me, Charming. Right now I don't have magic, I don't have my son, and i don't have but when I get one, I'll get them all, and you don't want to be around when that happens.
David: If you have to use magic to keep your son, you don't really have him. And, as for getting Sam, it would be much easier to get her if you just helped me.

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Young Regina is riding her horse, Rocinante, trying to leave her family's manor.

Queen Regina: Come on, Rocinante! Go! We're almost free. (The branches on the trees suddenly animate and grab Regina. Cora enters.)
Cora: And I thought we were done with all this nonsense.
Regina: Hello, mother. What evil have you conjured?
Cora: (Chuckles) Not evil, darling. A barrier spell. Designed to keep you where you belong.
Regina: I can't leave?
Cora: Not alone. Not without the king. We've been through this. In two days, you'll be married. You'll be queen. After that, you're free to go, whenever you're with him.
Regina: Mama, I don't want to marry the king. I don't want this life.
Cora: You're just frightened of having all that power.
Regina: I don't want power. (Exhales) I want to be free.
Cora: Power is freedom. Don't worry. I'm here to show you.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. The townspeople are still trying to figure everything out. David enters.

David: Henry. Have you seen Blue? Mother Superior.
Henry Mills: No, but everyone is looking for you.
Ruby: Do we know where Rump... Mr. Gold is?
Dr. Hopper: Wait. Does the Queen still have power?
Marco: I thought I would find my boy. Are the lists complete?
Henry: He's got to be planning something!
Dr. Whale: Hey, let me ask you something. Are the nuns still nuns, or can they, you know, date?
David: Uh, I don't know. Blue!
Dr. Whale: Don't say it's me asking.

David: Could there be a tree on this side? The way we sent Emma and Noah through as babies... maybe I could go after 'em that way.

Mother Superior: It's possible, but without fairy dust to guide us here, uh, no, it's hopeless.

Henry: You'll find another way. In the book, things always look worse right before there's good news.
Leroy: Terrible news! Terrible news! We were out at the town limits. Tell 'em who you think you are, Sneezy!
Mr. Clark: Will you stop calling me that? You know who I am. I'm Tom Clark. I own the Dark Star Pharmacy. What's going on here?
Leroy: If you cross the border, you lose your memory all over again.
Dr. Hopper: And coming back doesn't fix it?
Leroy: If it did, would I have come running in yelling "terrible news"?! If we leave, our cursed selves become our only selves.
Ruby: Do we know that anything's gotten out that way? (The people of Storybrooke continue their loud commotion.)
Henry: I wonder if my Mom knows.
Man 1: Help! We need help.
Henry: I can help!
Man 2: Don't leave us here!
Man 3: We need something now!
Leroy: What do we do?
David: People! Everybody! Everybody, meet back here in two hours. I'll tell you my plan to fix everything.
Ruby: (to him) What's the plan?
David: I don't know, but I got two hours to figure it out.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Regina's House. She is attempting to magically light a candle.

Regina: Come on. (Flame whooshes) Light, damn you.

(She throws it angrily, tears begin to swell up in her eyes. She needed to get her son and rescue her daughter, but crossing realms is as hard as it comes. She also REFUSES to let David take Sam away from her. She'll find a way to get Sam HERSELF! She exits and runs into Dr. Hopper.)

Dr. Hopper: Regina. I thought you might want to talk.
Regina: Oh, right, the conscience thing.
Dr. Hopper: It's what I do.
Regina: I'm in no mood.
Dr. Hopper: It's too bad, 'cause...'Cause I think talking about your pain might be very helpful, might help you learn who you truly are.
Regina: I know who I am.

SCENE: King Leopold's castle,the Enchanted Forest. Past. Regina is adorning young Snow White's hair with flowers.

Regina: What do you think, Snow?
Snow: It looks beautiful.
Regina: (Chuckles) No, dear, you look beautiful.
Snow: (Eyes a necklace with the ring from Daniel on it.) What's this?
Regina: What? That's mine.
Snow: It's pretty. Where did you get it?
Regina: Daniel gave it to me.
Snow: The stable boy. The one who left you.
Regina: He didn't leave me.
Snow: (Whispers) What?
Regina: He was killed.
Snow: Oh, no.
Regina: He was killed because you couldn't keep a secret from my mother. (Regina begins to choke Snow)
Snow: (Gasps) But... But she said... She told me she was going to help you.
Regina: My mother corrupts young souls. If you were stronger, none of this would've happened.
Snow: It's pretty. Where did you get it?
Regina: I don't remember.
Regina: Daddy, you don't know what mother's doing to me. It's like she's turning me into her. I have to get away.
Valet: Get away? But tomorrow's the wedding, child.
Regina: (Voice breaking) I don't want to marry the king. I've told you that.
Valet: Are you certain it isn't just cold feet?
Regina: Daddy, this is not cold feet. This... this is...this is insanity. I'm angry all the time. She's making me crazy.
Valet: She wants to give you everything she never got for herself.
Regina: (Crying) I don't want her life. I want a life of my own. How did she get like this?
Valet: There was a man. Well, not quite a man. Someone Cora knew before I met her. He brought magic to her. Gave her that book of spells. He made her like she is.
Regina: What was his name?
Valet: I don't know. Cora won't even say it.
Regina: But the book is his.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Mr. Gold Pawnbroker & Antiquities Dealer. Door bells jingle.

Mr. Gold: The library's beneath the clock tower. You closed it, remember? When you still had power.
Regina: I need the book. I need to get my son and daughter back.
Mr. Gold: Which book? Oh. (Laughs) So it's come down to that, eh? You need your mommy's help.
Regina: Give me the book.
Mr. Gold: Do you really need the smell of the written word to get the magic flowing again, love? Maybe if you relaxed, it would just happen. As for your "Daughter", crossing realms is as hard as it comes. You can't do it alone.
Regina: I'm NOT sharing my daughter and I don't have time. It worked once. I know I can do it. I just... I just need a shortcut back.
Mr. Gold: Yeah, well, I don't have time either. Leave. Please.
Regina: Well... How about that? Your "pleases" have lost their punch.
Mr. Gold: Well, the fact remains jump-starting your magic is not in my best interests.
Regina: You know what else isn't in your best interest? Having everyone know the Enchanted Forest still exists. Knowing that you and I are keeping that little secret. You're up to something... And it doesn't involve going back home.
(A book appears in Mr. Gold's hand who hands it to Regina)
Mr. Gold: Careful, dearie. These are straight-up spells. Rough on the system.
Regina: I don't care if they turn me green. I'm getting my son back.
Mr. Gold: (chuckles) Oh, my.
Regina: What?
Mr. Gold: It's just holding that... I told you once you didn't look like her, but now... Now I can see it.
Regina: (Gasps)
(Door bells jingle)

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past.

Regina: Rumplesh... Stilts... Rumpleschtiltskin, I summon thee.
Rumplestiltskin: That's not how you say it, dearie, but then... You didn't have to say anything.
Regina: What are you?
Rumplestiltskin: What? What? What? My, my, what a rude question. I am not a what.
Regina: Sorry. I don't really know what I'm doing.
Rumplestiltskin: That much is clear. Allow me to introduce myself. Rumplestiltskin.
Regina: And I'm...
Rumplestiltskin: Regina. I know.
Regina: You do?
Rumplestiltskin: But of course.
Regina: Because of my mother Cora. You taught her?
Rumplestiltskin: My legend precedes me.
Regina: People say I look like her when she was younger.
Rumplestiltskin: Really? (Pause) I don't see it. No, that's not how I know you.
Regina: Oh. How then?
Rumplestiltskin: I knew you long ago, dearie. It's been some time, but I knew this day would come. I've been waiting for it. And I'm so happy we're back where we belong.
Regina: Where's that?
Rumplestiltskin: Together.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present.

David: People of Storybrooke, I know we're trapped again and things look... bleak... But... they're not.
Henry: No. Keep going. You were on to something.
David: No, I wasn't. I did the fighting. Snow did the talking. (Places Jefferson's hat on the table.)
Henry: Can I see that?
David: Yeah.
Henry: I think I know what this is. It's the Mad Hatter's hat. It's a portal between worlds.
David: Mad Hatter.
Henry: You've heard of him?
David: No. I mean, yeah. I mean, the prince-me doesn't know him, but David had memories of reading "Alice In Wonderland" in school. I need to get it to work again. Who is he? I mean, who is he here?
Henry: I don't know. Maybe he'll check in at the crisis center. You could check after the thing.
David: What thing?
Henry: The meeting where you tell us all your plan? Remember the speech you were doing?
David: Right. I'll be back for that.
Henry: Gramps, you gotta use me. Come on! The curse was broken 'cause of me! Let me help! Or not.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Mr. Gold's shop. The door bells jingle.

Mr. Gold: It appears when I bought that "closed" sign, I was just throwing my money away.
David: Looks like it.
Mr. Gold: Sorry to hear about your wife, daughter, son, and grandchild. If you're looking for a retrieval, I'm afraid portal-jumping is just outside my purview.
David: Of course it is.
Mr. Gold: So what's the commotion outside?
David: A little stir at the border. A problem crossing the line.
Mr. Gold: Do tell.
David: Actually, I'm here to buy something... a way to find someone.
Mr. Gold: What, like a map?
David: Something with a bit more kick, like the ring you gave me to find Snow.
Mr. Gold: Oh, yeah. Magic. Whom are you following?
David: Not telling.
Mr. Gold: So do you have something of theirs, this missing person?
David: Yes.
Mr. Gold: May I see it?
David: No.
Mr. Gold: (chuckles) Pour this on the object and then follow it. So simple, even David Nolan could do it.
David: What do you want?
Mr. Gold: Peace. Leave me alone.
David: What do you care what David Nolan does?
Mr. Gold: No. No. It's... it's Charming I worry about. I'd like a little... non-interference guarantee.
David: Fine. If you give me the same. You and I... we stay out of each other's way.
Mr. Gold: Thank you for your business. So, uh, what happens – when you try and cross the border?
David: You lose your memory of everything of our old lives. Looks like we're stuck here. (Door bells jingle)

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past.

Rumplestiltskin: Oh, yes, I know everything about you, my dear. I held you in my arms. You were younger, more... portable. There is much history between your family and me...history both in the past and in the future.
Regina: Then can you help me?
Rumplestiltskin: Possibly, yes. You seek power? The death of your enemies? The death of your friends?
Regina: No. I don't want to hurt anyone.
Rumplestiltskin: Hard to believe you're from the same family. So kind, so gentle... So... Ooh! Powerful. You could do so much if you just let yourself.
Regina: But I don't know how.
Rumplestiltskin: Well... Let me show you the way.
Regina: How did...
Rumplestiltskin: Magic. It can set you free.
Regina: I don't want to do that. Use magic... that's what she does. I don't want to end up like her.
Rumplestiltskin: No. No. Of course not, but that's the beauty of my gift. You don't have to. It will do it for you.
Regina: What is it?
Rumplestiltskin: A portal. A passage between lands. This is a portal to a specific annoying little world. Useless to me, but for your purposes, a-perfect. You're unlikely ever to see her again. All she needs is a little push. The question is... can... you... do it?

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present.

Jefferson: (muffled voice) Hey! (Pounding) Hey! Hey! Oh, thank you. No one heard me.
David: You okay? Good. That means we can talk.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present.

Henry: Come on, Gramps. Pick up. Come on. Come on.
Ruby: Please, everyone, just be patient. I'm sure he's gonna be here any second. Granny, do you really need that?
Granny: We got a lawless town, Ruby. Damn right I need it.
Ruby: Try calling him again.
Henry: He's not picking up.
Ruby: Just keep trying.
Regina: My... What a nice turnout. No need for a fuss. It's just little old me.
Dr. Hopper: Regina, think about what you're doing.
Regina: Bug.
Dr. Hopper: Aah!
Leroy: Hey!
Regina: How sweet.
Ruby: What do you want?!
Henry: Me. She wants me. Okay, I'll come with you. Just... leave them alone.
Regina: That's my boy. 

*she then whispers to him*

Regina: And we'll get your sister later

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present.

David: Can you get me through?
Jefferson: No.
David: Can you get them back? Can you get it to work?
Jefferson: (Laughs) If you only knew.
David: Okay, you had a little girl's tea set in your car and a stuffed rabbit toy, so I'm thinking you have a daughter you love. Well, I do, too. Well, a daughter, a son, and a wife, and they're out there somewhere, in the Enchanted Forest or a void. I don't even know, but I'm going to get them back.
Jefferson: They're in the Enchanted Forest. That's for sure. I just can't get there.
David: It still exists?
Jefferson: It exists. I don't know if that matters since we can't go there.
David: So you won't help me?
Jefferson: I'm a portal jumper, and you destroyed my portal, so you're out of luck.
David: Well, I'm the closest thing left to a sheriff here, so I could just throw you in a cell until you figure out a way.
Jefferson: Then all we'll do is both sit, stuck... Two lives in our heads, cursed worse than ever. Two lives forever at odds. Double the pain. Double the suffering.
(David chases after Jefferson, who runs from the scene, but is stopped by Ruby.)
Ruby: David, stop!
David: Get out of my way!
Ruby: Regina has Henry!
David: But he has the way!
Ruby: She has Henry. She's threatening everyone.
David: She has Henry?
Ruby: She showed up at your town meeting... the one you missed. Her magic's back. Everyone's panicking. They want to leave town. They're going to lose everything.
David: Okay. Okay, but I have to go after him first. He's my only hope of finding a way to get Emma, Noah, Snow, and Sam back.
Ruby: Okay, back to what? This town is about to come apart. You've got to do something.

SCENE: Mills House. Storybrooke. Present.

Regina: (sighs) Now I don't want you to think that things are just going to go back to how they used to be. Henry. (Henry is held by a barrier spell outside his window.) Don't fight it, honey. You'll get a splinter.
Henry: How long am I in prison? Until I grow up?
Regina: Henry, I rescued you because I love you.
Henry: So I'm a prisoner because you love me. That's not fair
Regina: You know where I come from. That was really not fair. Of all the places I've seen, this is the fairest of them all.
Henry: You ruined lives. You sent away Mary Margaret, Emma, Noah, and my sister.
Regina: That was an accident. Henry, i promise you. I would NEVER hurt your sister and I'm WILL get her back
Henry: The way you treated me wasn't an accident. You made it so no one believed me. You made me feel like I was crazy.
Regina: But that's all gonna change now. Henry, you can know all the secrets. You can live in a house with magic. Look what I could do. (Chuckles) And I can teach you. You can do this and so much more. You can be just like your sister.

Henry: i-i can have magic, like Sam?

Regina: You bet. She was born with it. Her magic is so powerful, she could use it in a land without magic. With you being her twin, I'm sure you can do the same. You can have all that, all the friends you want to come over any time, and you can show them everything in your book.
Henry: No one's gonna want to come over here. They're scared of you.
Regina: You can make them not be scared. You can make them love you.
Henry: I don't want that. I don't want to be you.

SCENE: Enchanted Forest. Past.

Cora: What's this?
Regina: I don't know. A gift?
Cora: Maybe it's a portrait. Oh, a looking glass. Not nearly as personal. I wonder sometimes if the people really love you.
Regina: I'm doing my best, mother.
Cora: Oh, honey, I'm sorry. Come here. Look at you, with your whole life ahead of you, and it's going to be better than you can imagine. The king's not a strong man. The kingdom will be yours. Raise the tributes, form a personal guard, let everyone know where the new power lies, and you'll hold the hearts of your people in your hands.
Regina: Is that what you would do, mother?
Cora: That's exactly what I would do.
Regina: Well, the thing is I don't want to be you. (Regina turns to push her into the looking glass, but Cora stops her using magic) Aah!
Cora: What are you doing? You think it's that easy to get rid of me? You're stuck with me forever, darling, because I'm your mother, and I know best. (A Rumplestiltskin apparition appears in the looking glass and gives last-minute encouragement to Regina to push Cora into the glass and out of her life.)
Regina: Aah! Aah!

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present.

Archie Hopper: Get out of the way! We have a right to go!

David: Listen to me! Listen. If you cross that line, you're gonna be lost. Everyone who loves you will lose you. But there's something worse. You'll lose yourself. Look, I get wanting to leave here. I do. And I get that it's easier to let go of bad memories, but... even bad memories are part of us. David, Storybrooke David was... is ... weak... confused... and he hurt the woman I love. I wouldn't give up being Charming just to be him. But you know what? I wouldn't make the other trade either, because that David reminds me not only of whom I lost... But of who I want to be, my weaknesses and my strengths. David and The Prince. I am both... Just like you. You are both. The town is both. We are both. Stay here, and every choice is open to you. Live in the woods if you want. Hell, live in a shoe if you want. Or eat frozen burritos and write software. Let's open Granny's and the school and get back to work. I will protect you. She won't be able to hurt any of us, not as long as I'm alive. Not as long as we all come together... As we did before... As we shall do again.

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past.

Rumplestiltskin: Leaving, are we?
Regina: That was always the plan. Here. A gift. I don't want it.
Rumplestiltskin: Uh, can't be a gift. It was mine to start with. Before you go... Answer me this... How did it feel?
Regina: I love my mother.
Rumplestiltskin: That's not what I asked, dearie. How did it feel to use magic?
Regina: It doesn't matter. I'll never use it again.
Rumplestiltskin: Why not?
Regina: Because I loved it.
Rumplestiltskin: (Giggles) You've discovered who you are. You could do so much now... (Singsongy) If you let me show you how.
Regina: Through magic.
Rumplestiltskin: Through many things.
Regina: And what do you get out of it?
Rumplestiltskin: Someday... You'll do something for me. Let me guide you.
Regina: (Sniffles) And I won't become like her?
Rumplestiltskin: That, dearie... is entirely up... to you.

SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Regina Mills' House. The front door bursts open and David walks in with a sword.

Regina: (Gasps)
David: I want to see him.
Regina: Henry, come down. You won't be using your sword.
David: Whatever you conjure, I can fight.
Regina: I mean, you won't need your sword. Henry, you're gonna go home with David.
Henry: Really?
Regina: Really. I shouldn't have brought you here. I was... I don't know how to love very well. I wasn't capable of it for a very long time. But I know... I remember... That if you hold on to someone too hard, that doesn't make them love you. I'm sorry I lied to you, that I made you feel like I didn't know who you are. But I want you to be here because you want to be here, not because I forced you... And not because of magic. I want to redeem myself. Go get your things.
David: Then prove it.
Regina: How?
David: Answer one question. Does it exist?
Regina: What?
David: The Enchanted Forest, our land... does it still exist?
Regina: Yes. But I have no idea how to get back there, I've been trying to find a way so i can get Sam. ...I can see I just launched you on a heroic quest. Just make sure you take care of my son and my daughter when you get her.
David: That I can do.

Later
Mr. Clark: What do you need those for?
Leroy: Don't worry, brother. You've lost something. It's gonna take fairy dust to get it back. So we're gonna do what we do best. Come on, boys. It's off to work we go.

(scene cuts to David and Henry).

David: Hey. It exists, Henry. The Enchanted Forest is still out there.

Henry: And... so are they.
David: Yeah.
Henry: But how do we know they survived the trip there?
David: Because I can feel it. And I'll be sure to get them, whatever it takes.

David had his hand over his throat as soon as he said. "whatever it takes," huh? He didn't like the sound of that. Something was going on, something wrong. Henry noticed it too.

Henry: What was that?

David: nothing...everything's fine.

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Present. Mulan and Aurora ride towards an island, dragging the bound Emma and Mary Margaret behind them. Sam was on the horse with Mulan and Noah was still unconscious on Aurora's horse.

Emma: (Oh).

Mary Margaret: What is this place?

Mulan: Our home.

Sam gets a little scared and asks

Sam: W-what's gonna happen to my mommy, uncle, and grandma?

Mulan: well, your mom and grandma did a terrible thing and shall be punished for it. As for your uncle, you already know what he tried to do to me and Aurora. However, you have no need for concern. You'll be safe with us.

Emma(internally): What the hell are they talking about? What did Noah do to them?

Sam: I-I don't understand

Aurora: You don't have to.

(Horse whines) (They arrive the safe haven, and people stop, stare and gasp)

Emma: It's like they're refugees.

Mulan: We're survivors.

(they get off their horses, Aurora holding Sam's hand as she and Mulan lead Emma and Mary Margret. Then, Aurora realizes something and says)

Aurora: Hey, what about our male prisoner?

Mulan: I'll be sure to get him in a few moments. We've got our hands full right now.

Aurora: You're right (Mary Margaret knees Aurora in the stomach) Aah!

Mary Margaret: Emma, Sam, run! I'll get Noah!

(The "Swans" run away while Mary Margaret picks up Noah and runs behind them but she's then stopped by Mulan knocking her out. Causing her to drop Noah to the floor) Aah!

Emma: Mary Margaret! Mary Margaret! What did you do?!

Sam: Grandma?!

Mulan: Take them to the pit.

Emma: No.(They are thrown into the pit)

Emma: Be careful! Oh! Be careful! Hey. Come on. Wake up. Hey. Can you hear me?

Sam:(looks down) mommy?

Emma desperately reaches into the air for her child

Emma: Sam!!

Aurora: (puts a hand on Sam's shoulder, leading her away). Come with us

Sam: Are they gonna be ok?

She was ignored and was led away, nothing new for her

Emma: No!!

Emma was extremely angry. How dare they take away her daughter!

Emma: Give me my daughter back NOW!

Eventually, Sam was out of her view and Mulan walked in with Noah in her arms.

Mulan: You may not have your daughter back, criminal, but you can have your demonic brother instead.

Noah begins to come to and sees Mulan's face in the sunlight. He smugly smiles and says sultry-like.

Noah: hello~.

Mulan: Ugh!

She dropped him and he hit his head, hard. However, something strange happened when he hit his head. His face changed into something monstrous while screeching in pain. He looks something similar to this but with green "eyes" 

It turned back to normal right after, none of which Emma noticed cuz she was watching over her mom and attempting to wake her.

Woman: Do you need help?

Emma: Who are you?

Woman: A friend. (stepping forward into the light coming from above) My name's Cora

Noah's eyes widen in shock at hearing that name. Cora, the mother of Regina. The queen of hearts and the reason Regina has a venda against his mother. He quickly gets up and says.

Noah: You! It's you!

Cora: Do I know you, young one?

Noah: Oh my god, it's really you! I don't know how you're here or how the hell they captured you but you're really here?

Emma: Am I missing something? Do you know her?

Noah: Know of her and, let's just say, the world will be a lot better off without her in it!

He lifts his right hand, charging a small fire blast. Cora was stunned at the display and Emma got in front of her, saying that.

Emma: Didn't you learn anything from David and Mary Margret's speeches? You can't just kill whoever you want, whenever you want!

 Noah: We are in a world...realm where it's kill or be killed, survival of the fittest. It's something these people seemed to have learned and lived long enough to create their little...haven. I'll be sure to respect them by keeping their bodies in a neat enough condition for them to have a proper burial. Something I, however, won't grant to her. Besides, I'm sure Mom and Dad would make an exception for this monster, after all the pain she's caused and all the lives she ruined. Heck, even Regina would want her dead. It's time for her just dues.

Emma: Listen, I have no clue what you're talking about but if you want to kill her, you'll have to go through me.

Noah: Hehe, don't worry, Sis. I would never hurt you. I have complete control of my magic. I'll just make it go around!

He smiled sinisterly while Cora, strangely, remained composed. She hadn't thought she'd have to reveal herself so soon but this...stranger was a fool to think she'd just willingly let herself be killed. She doesn't know who this man is or how he knows so much about her but she refuses to let him get in the way of getting back to her daughter. She was prepared to whisk away, perhaps teleporting behind her attacker and ripping out his heart(A magical being for her to puppeteer could be useful), as Noah prepared to fire his blast. Right as he was about to fire it, it dissipated. It disappears as he coughs out blood, using one hand to hold his head and the other to put on the floor as he falls to his knees and screams in pain.

Emma: Noah? You alright?!

She says she rushes over to her pained brother while Cora eyes the pair curiously. After a few seconds more screaming before a few seconds of pained breathing, the future dark lord finally says.

Noah: I'm...fine. I guess I hit my head harder than I thought, huh?

He laughed for a good 3 seconds before coughing more blood.

Emma: Alright, just rest here for a bit. I'm going to talk more to our..."friend"

Noah: Emma, I told you I'm fine.

Emma:(firmly) And I told you to rest. Just sit down. You are hurt. You can't even perform a simple magic spell...well, I assume it is simple. I've never actually performed one, after all. Anyways, I'm gonna stop right there. I'm getting off-topic. The point is, I'll handle it from here. I'll help Mary Margret, find a way out, save my daughter, and fight anyone who tries to us. Just relax for now and let me think of how we'll do that.

Noah was silent after that, a bit stunned by her words. After a few moments, he smirked and said the first sentence slyly

Noah: it's sweet you care. Alright, sure thing sheriff. I'll just be here and rest. Not like we're going anywhere. Just...be careful around her.

Emma: Alright, I will. Could you perhaps tell me about her? Who is she, what did she do, and why was your first instinct to try to kill her?

Noah: I'd be glad to tell you all about her. Just not when we're here.

Emma wanted to press more but she thought it was best to leave it alone for now. She can ask later when Mary Margret...her mother, is conscious again and they're out of a pit, for one. As such, she focused her attention on the woman who introduced herself as Cora currently tending to Mary Margret. While she did that, Noah began thinking to himself.

Noah(internally): Man, what the hell happened? Why did my magic fail me?

Then, a voice responded back to him. The shadow blot responded to him in his head, so no one could hear.

The Shadow Blot(telepathically): When you were dropped, that fall would've cracked our skull but luckily I healed us before too much damage was to but some of the effects remained. You have a concussion and it has ruptured our magic. It'll be a few minutes before it comes back, at the very least! Perhaps you'll think twice about flirting with the woman you tried to kill/the woman who knocked you out.

Noah(internally): In a surprise attack. If I was on guard, it'd be a different story.

TSB(telepathically): Well then, next time don't play with your prey, and don't be off-guard in the first place! You should've detected the moment the pest's shield went down. I can't believe you were so careless! That thing distracted you. We are in a magic-filled realm, our power should be nearly unparalleled. However, it seems to be taken longer than expected. Whatever, it doesn't matter! As soon as our power is boosted, we will make quick work of anyone in our way...well, almost anyone. We still need to be rid of the pest.

Noah(internally): No, I can't kill Sam. Emma's gotten too attached. I mean, look at her. She's constantly worried about her. I can't just take her away from her. I'm trying to be good for and keep my relationship with her.

TSB(telepathically): You won't have any relationship with her if that monkey keeps getting in the way! You...We are the future dark lord. We should be like a god to this realm and that freak keeps getting in our way. It's only a matter of time before she gets in our way physically. Tch, we should killed her when she was an infant!

Noah(internally): hmm. Wait a minute. How about, instead of her being in our way, she worked with us?

TSB(Telepathically): What do you mean?

Noah(Internally): I mean, what if we manipulate her to our side? Think about it. If she's on our side, she won't be a problem, we get to keep our relationship with Emma, we get a powerful magical ally who has valuable intel about people's pasts and futures that we could extract from her brain since she doesn't remember everything she learned, and we could get some of her cells for our experiments. Plus, once she has ceased to of use, we'll use our contingency plans and get rid of everyone's memories of her. Everyone wins.

TBS(telepathically): ...i like the way you think!

This concludes this chapter. I hope you enjoyed the little changes i made to the end. I realize it could've added a little more, so i did. Have a good day or night. It's currently 1 am as I make this. I'm done