From 5.12 "Souls of the Departed", in Underworld's Granny's diner, James pulled Snow in for a kiss. Sensing something wrong, Snow pulled away.

Freya/Priscilla: (voice over) "Previously on Worlds Colliding (Once Upon a Time)."

James chuckled. "I see why my brother likes you."

Snow stepped back in realization, shocked. "James."

"When you see ol' Dave, tell him there's a new Sheriff in town," James told her.

From 4.23 "Operation Mongoose: Part 2", in Granny's diner, Henry, Rose and Grace were sitting with the Apprentice. Henry broke his Author quill.

Cruella: (voice over from 5.13 Labor of Love) "The power of the Author, Enchantress and Illusionist combined is far greater than that bearded old man wanted you three to believe."

From 5.13 "Labor of Love", in Underworld's Mayor's office, Cruella was speaking to Henry and Rose. "And when you broke the quill, you sent it right down here to the Underworld. And now you are going to find it down here, you're going to enchant it with the blood of Rose and Grace, and you're going to send me right back to our world."

From 5.14 "Devil's Due", in the cemetery, Snow, Axel and Ella were looking at the gravestones for Axel's family.

Snow looked at Axel. "Samuel is your father. Elijah is your brother."

"Yes," Axel answered. "They're here. So why can't I find them?"

Ella sighed, shaking her head. "You will see them again."

ღღ

Underworld

On the Road

Cruella was driving recklessly. Rose was in the passenger seat. Henry was in the back.

"Can you please slow down?" Henry asked.

"Darlings, you wouldn't be here if you didn't like a little danger," Cruella told them. "I mean, look at you, sneaking away from your family and friends to bring me back to life. Such naughty children."

Rose was not planning on using the quill to bring her back to life, just needing her help to find it. "I just want to find the pen and get this over with. What are we even looking for?"

"A sigh, signal, whiff of ink," Cruella answered. "Rose, you're the Enchantress, meaning you're the guardian to this sort of thing. You had the ability to find the Author if the Dark One wasn't using magic to hide him from you. I'm willing to bet you can find some quill."

Rose saw a bright light, pointing to it. "Stop! I saw something."

Cruella stopped the car immediately, and the tires screeched as she came to a dangerous stop.

ღ

Woods

Rose, Henry and Cruella were walking.

Cruella wasn't happy about tracking through the woods. "Well, there's no pen here, just dirt and things that smell like dirt."

"I swear I saw it," Rose told them.

"Well, then, both of you move those little legs of yours and keep looking," Cruella told them. "Go!"

Cruella shooed them off, before stopping, shuddering. Rose and Henry continued to make their way through the woods, looking around. Saphira, Cyrus and Derek were there, startling them.

"Quiet," Derek told them. "We have little time."

"You guys followed us?" Rose asked.

"Axel, Derek and I were at the town hall with you whenever you and Henry started to act weird, remember, Rose?" Cyrus asked. "When you two snuck off, we knew something was happening that was connected to the way you were acting when you left your mother's office."

"You said nothing was wrong, but Axel could tell you were lying," Derek explained. "Wolf thing, remember? We're here to stop you from making a terrible mistake. You can't resurrect Cruella De Vil."

"So the pen can bring someone back?" Henry asked. "The Apprentice told me, Rose and Grace it couldn't."

"Up there, yes," Cyrus told them. "Down here, the rules are a little more... flexible."

"We're not getting the pen for Cruella," Rose told them. "We're getting it for us. We just watched Aunt Freya and Uncle Jefferson become Dark Ones, insane ones that couldn't control what they were doing. We watched Uncle Jefferson die, and we couldn't do anything."

"And now Aunt Freya's mind is almost shattered," Henry told them. "She, Aunt Ally, Grace and Rose are trapped here, along with Uncle Jefferson."

"Rose, you're the Enchantress," Cyrus told her. "You're the guardian to all of this, and you protect it all. Henry, you are the Author. As such, you should use the quill only to record the stories, not create them."

Henry sighed. "I don't care about the stupid stories anymore. I'm sick of sitting on the sidelines. I want to be a hero. I want to help my family even if it means helping Cruella."

Saphira, Derek and Cyrus exchanged a look, sighing.

Saphira looked at Henry and Rose. "Cyrus said that in the Sorcerer's mansion, when he and Axel went there looking for Merlin, they saw all his great works of light magic there. The quill included. It is protected by a powerful spell, but the sheriff took the key. We get that key and the quill is ours."

Henry and Rose looked at them in surprise.

"Wait, what?" Rose asked. "You're helping us?"

Derek sighed. "Henry. Rose. This is your choice. But we trust you to make the right one. I know you wanna help your family. But are you really willing to risk what happened to the last Author to do it?"

Henry and Rose looked worried, conflicted.

ღ Worlds Colliding (Once Upon a Time) ღ

Hatter House - Freya and Jefferson's Room

In the room of the Underworld's version of their bedroom, Jefferson was watching Freya as she removed a sheet from the bed.

Freya turned back, helping him to the bed. "Come sit down. Let me take a look at you."

"Are you sure you want to?" Jefferson asked. "Hades sort of knocked the handsome out of the Hatter."

Jefferson groaned in pain as he slowly lowered himself onto the bed.

Freya sat next to him. "No one's that powerful. Not powerful enough to knock the handsome out of my Hatter." Jefferson smiled slightly. Freya healed him with her magic, restoring him with fresh clothes. Jefferson placed a hand on her cheek, looking at her intensely in worry. "Jefferson, if you look at me any harder, you're gonna shatter my head more."

"Not funny, considering you have all the madness now," Jefferson told her.

Freya could only look at him in relief. "Don't worry about me."

"You're my wife, Cilla," Jefferson told her. "I'm supposed to worry about you, especially now that you have all the insanity that was just supposed to be mine to begin with." Freya attempted to speak, but Jefferson knew what she would say. "And don't say you're fine, because we both know that would be the biggest lie you've ever told, and that is saying something, considering everything that happened with our family, the darkness, what we did, you having to kill me to try and destroy the darkness only to find out your father betrayed us again, all the insanity going to your head, and Hades trying to break you down more ever since you got here."

Freya managed a chuckle. "Fine. I'm not okay, but Papa has this spell on me that can help me control the insanity, but the spell makes me feel dizzy, disoriented and dazed, not my best fighting self. Sometimes I don't even know what's going on."

Jefferson took this all in, considering it seriously, nodding. "All right, then we have to figure out a way to get your name off the stone, and Alcina, Rose and Grace's, so that you can use your heart to bring me back, and then our minds will be linked again and I can take back the half of madness that is mine, and we can go home. I can't let you stay like this, Freya."

Freya nodded knowingly, sighing, holding his hands in both of hers. "I'm better now that you're here, Jefferson."

"Okay, but even if we didn't get rid of the darkness completely, we still got it out of us," Jefferson told her. "Which means we can find a way to get rid of the madness, too."

Freya nodded. "For however long it takes."

Jefferson nodded, holding her hand, worried still. "Cilla..."

"What?" Freya asked. "What is it?"

"Hades was taunting me about you the entire time I was with him, Freya," Jefferson answered. "Telling me how he was trying to break you down even more since you got here." Freya nodded. "The vision, the wedding ring, all to try to make you break."

"So?" Freya asked. "What about it?"

"So, he said that you were his to break," Jefferson answered. "He was talking about you like you're some sort of property. And now he has you literally trapped in his domain, Freya. I don't know what he has in mind for you, but I know it's serious, and I'm not planning on losing you to him. Or losing Rose, Grace and Alcina to him either."

Freya leaned closer to kiss his cheek and forehead to calm him down, making him stop worrying for the moment. "I'm not gonna say I was fine before, because I wasn't. But with you, I'm better, Jefferson. With Henry, Rose, Ally, Grace, Lisa and Blake, I'm better. Nothing is gonna happen to me. Hades does not have control over me. Not when you're here with me. Okay?"

Jefferson looked at her with love and worry in his eyes, nodding. "Okay."

Freya remembered the wedding ring, taking it out, which was now clean of all blood, holding it up for him to see. Jefferson chuckled lightly, managing a smile, holding up his hand. Freya smiled slightly, taking his hand to put his wedding ring back on. After looking at each other for a long moment, they kissed passionately, sweetly in relief, pulling away. Jefferson wrapped an arm around her. Freya relaxed in his arms, leaning her head on his shoulder. They were both clearly worried about each other and everyone else still, but were relieved and happy to be together again, even if he wasn't alive yet, and even if she was still going mad.

ღ

Living Room

Ella and Killian were checking out the house.

"I was thinking about looking for my own house when we get back to Storybrooke," Ella explained. "Notice how I say when, not if. I've been saying for a while I needed to get my own place, and well, I need it when we get back, Killian." Killian chuckled. Ella turned to face him curiously. "You know that this, to me, was always more than fun. It was everything that I could ever want. I didn't know how good it could be, but it feels like love to me. I know it sounds weird, given everything..."

Killian shook his head, smiling slightly. "It doesn't sound weird, Ella. It sounds perfect to me."

"Well, I know I've said it before, but I've got to say it again," Ella told him. "I love you."

Killian smiled. "I love you, too."

Killian and Ella smiled, kissing slowly and passionately, pulling away when there was a knock on the door, surprising them.

Ella opened the door to see Liam there. "Hi. Can I..."

Liam saw his brother. "Killian."

"Liam?" Killian asked.

Liam walked into the house. "So the rumors are true. After all these years, my little brother is finally here."

Ella looked at them in surprise.

ღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Night - Docks

Liam and Killian were swabbing the deck on a ship that was moored up at the docks. Crew members dodged around them as they laughed, drinking.

"Those fish guts smell particularly foul this evening," Killian pointed out.

"Come on, Killian," Liam told him. "The harder we work, the sooner we're finished."

"Wish I had your work ethic," Killian admitted. "Seems I inherited Father's."

Killian took a drink of rum from his flask.

Liam gave him a look. "Don't joke about that bastard. He may have sold us into servitude, but tomorrow... we'll be free men."

Liam pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Killian.

Killian looked at him in surprise. "Are you serious? You want to join the King's Navy?"

Liam nodded. "There's a signing bonus of 10 silver. On top of what we've already saved, that will buy us our freedom off this bloody cargo ship."

Killian scoffed. "I know that's your dream, mate, but I'm hardly naval material."

Liam sighed. "If you served an honorable king, it would change you. You could be a fine captain someday. I know it."

Killian chuckled. "'Captain Jones' does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

A man called Silver appeared on deck, standing to the side of them, laughing. "Captain Jones? That'll be the day." He kicked over a bucket of fish guts. "You missed a spot there, Captain."

Killian angrily stood, going to attack Silver.

Liam held him back. "Killian, don't!"

Silver removed his captain's hat. "Come on, let him try. Must be exhausting, protecting little brother from himself."

Liam pulled Killian back. "Hey. Won't be your concern much longer."

Silver snickered. "Because you're both going to be admirals in the Navy, right? Fine by me. Long as I get paid. The sober Jones can go and collect his money. The drunk one stays as collateral."

Liam stopped Killian from attacking once again. "Easy, brother. I'll be back by sunrise. And then a proud life in the King's Navy, hmm?"

ღ

Now

Underworld

Hatter House - Dining Room

Ella, Killian and Liam were sitting at the dining table, each with a glass of water.

"Liam, what about you?" Killian asked. "Why are you down here?"

Liam shook his head. "I wish I knew. I spent countless years trying to figure out a reason."

Killian looked at Ella. "There is no reason. Hades has the game rigged so no one can leave. My brother's proof of that. Never did a bad thing in his life. He even died nobly, stopping a treacherous king from poisoning the realm."

"Stop it," Liam told him. "You're making me blush."

Ella smiled a small smile at their interaction.

"Hades has my brother and our friends trapped down here, Ella, and that cannot stand," Killian told her.

Ella shook her head in agreement. "The only way everyone will get free is if we defeat Hades once and for all. Liam, you've been down here a very long time. Surely you must know something that can help us."

Liam sighed. "I know this is a very dangerous game you're playing. There are those who tried to overthrow Hades before. They always spoke of a... a book, which had the power to defeat him. I tried to find it myself, but I'm not even sure what to look for."

Ella realized. "I think it's a storybook."

"Storybook?" Liam repeated. "Oh, I wager it would take more than stories."

"No, no, no, no, no, no, she's onto something," Killian told him. "In our world, there's a book like this."

They showed him the book.

"Everything up there has a version down here," Ella told them. "There has to be one in the Underworld."

Killian nodded. "If there's a story in that book about Hades, we can learn his weakness and exploit it."

Liam sighed. "All right. If you believe in this, Killian, I'm with you to the end. This fiend trapped me and tortured your friends. The day you push your sailors too far..."

Killian smirked. "Is the day the mutiny begins."

ღ

Granny's Diner

Blake, Lisa and Christopher were having breakfast.

"Should I be concerned on the fact that the food in this Hell diner is delicious?" Blake asked, eating his chocolate cake.

"Nah, just let it happen," Lisa told him. "It's easier when you don't think about it." They laughed. Lisa looked at Christopher. "Hey, we made something for you, Papa."

"Really?" Christopher asked.

"Yep," Blake answered. He looked at Lisa. "You wanna give it to him, or shall I?"

"You do it," Lisa told him.

Blake smiled, waving his hand, making a small box appear in front of Christopher.

Christopher smiled, opening the box, taking out a bracelet that was black and silver. "It's beautiful."

"It's for your protection," Lisa told him.

"What do you mean?" Christopher asked.

"Well, you don't have your powers, so Blake and I were worried and decided to find a way to get you more protection," Lisa answered.

"Yep, the bracelet is infused with our Divine Pair power, which means once you wear it, you'll be immune to magic attacks, including Hades Divine magic ones," Blake added.

"Lisa, Blake, thank you, but you didn't have to do that," Christopher told them. "I'm going to be okay. Besides, this bracelet won't change the fact that I have this mark, which keeps me from using my power, and it keeps me from leaving the Underworld. Or, it keeps me from leaving the Underworld as long as Hades is still alive."

"We know, Papa, but Hades had you locked up and tortured for so long, and now that you're free, he won't stop until he gets you," Lisa told him.

"Actually, he would be smarter to stay away from the three of us," Christopher told them. "He knows that you two are more powerful than anyone thinks, and if anyone is going to defeat him, it's you, so he'll want to stay away from us as much as he can, which is why he hasn't come for us head on. It's why he's targeting Freya, Jefferson, Grace, Rose and Alcina. You have the power to kill him, which means you're a threat to him, which is why he's going after the people you care about, and not going after you, or by extent, me. Blake, Lisa, you're a threat to him, and a threat to his kingdom."

"Right," Lisa agreed.

"You do realize that me and Lisa can now also add apart from the legendary Divine Pair, and prince and princess from Arendelle, we also are the prince and princess of the Underworld?" Blake asked.

Lisa smirked. "And Papa is not only prince from Arendelle, he is also now prince of the Underworld."

Christopher chuckled. "Yeah, well, that's not something that should be bragged about considering everything around here."

Lisa and Blake nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, but put on the bracelet so we know you're safe," Lisa told him. "We would do one for the others, but Divine, demigod magic on a mortal like that could have very bad consequences, like killing them, even if we're trying to protect them, but since you're a demigod, it will work on you."

Christopher gave them both an amused look, sighing, putting the bracelet on. "I love it."

"Now, not only are you combined in clothes style, but also the bracelet, from me and Lisa, black and white/silver," Blake told him.

"Yep," Lisa agreed.

Christopher took their hands in his. "Well, I love the fact that not only I'm spending time with my children, but also looking great while doing it." They laughed. "Blake, Lisa, let's finish our breakfast and get back to the others."

"Amazing, because I'm so hungry, I'm ordering another cake," Blake told them.

"Of course you are," Lisa told him.

Blake looked at them, a little offended. Lisa and Christopher laughed. Blake couldn't help but start laughing too.

ღღ

Hatter House - Living Room

The group had met up, except for Henry, Rose, Saphira, Derek and Cyrus, who hadn't made it back yet. David brought a wooden box into the room, placing it in front of Snow.

"In the world above?" Emma asked. "This is where Freya and Jefferson found the storybook. So..." They looked through the box. "Sorry."

"Are we really surprised?" Regina asked. "That book is the embodiment of hope. And there's not a lot of that here in the Underworld."

"Let's keep looking," Emma told them. "All right? Let's just... keep looking."

Henry, Rose, Cyrus, Derek and Saphira returned.

"Hey," Derek told them. "What's going on?"

Faye looked up. "Oh. Looking for the storybook. You know. Underworld Edition."

"Really?" Cyrus asked. "Well, I think I might know exactly where it is."

"How would you know that?" Tori asked, before remembering. "Right. Never mind. The whole storybook thing started with you. And the Enchantresses and Illusionists and Authors. It all goes back to the Sorcerer and his son. You and Merlin, Cyrus."

"Yeah," Saphira agreed. "Cyrus said the Sorcerer's mansion is down here and there's a bunch of his stuff inside. Like the storybook."

Mathias sighed. "Oh. Finally. Some good news."

"Well, sort of," Saphira agreed. "The house was locked with magic after Cyrus and Axel went there last. It's locked with Hades's magic. Meaning we can't break in there. But there is a key. And the sheriff has it."

Alcina looked at David. "Your evil twin is sheriff? Hades has panache. I'll give him that."

"Well, it's time for my brother and me to have an overdue chat," David told them.

"Well, you won't be alone," Snow told him. "I still owe him a punch in his pretty mouth for kissing me."

David was annoyed, slightly jealous. "He kissed you?"

Snow headed for the door. "Thought it was you."

Freya looked at Snow in surprise and amusement for the way she said that. Alcina smiled at her sister's reaction.

"Let's go," David told her, leaving with Snow.

"In the meanwhile, we should all go about our usual business," Christopher told them. "Hades has eyes everywhere. We can't have him learning what we're up to."

"Fine plan," Mathias told him. "Can't wait to see the look on his face when he learns a valuable lesson." He looked over everyone in the room. "One should never mess with any of us."

Alcina smirked. "Exactly right, Mathias. Anyone who messes with any of us has a death wish."

ღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Day - Docks

Liam arrived back from his adventure, with two pieces of paper for him and Killian. "Captain Silver! Two papers of service. I'm pleased to tell you the Brothers Jones will be leaving your employ."

"Well, one of you, at least," Silver told him.

"What?" Liam asked. "What's happened? What did you do to Killian?"

The camera panned to Killian, who was passed out drunk with an empty bottle of rum.

"All I did was offer him a drink," Silver told him. "The rest he managed all by himself. He's not much of a gambler."

Liam ran toward his brother to wake him up. "Killian! Where's his silver? What have you done with your money?" He grabbed Killian's money pouch to find it empty. "You gambled."

Killian sighed. "I'm sorry, brother."

Silver started to count Killian's coins.

Liam looked at him angrily. "You bastard!"

"I'm not responsible for his weakness, and you still have your money," Silver told him. "If you want my advice, cut anchor. Leave the dead weight behind."

Killian sighed. "Just do it. Liam, go. I can never be the brother you deserve."

"We're to set sail, Jones," Silver told him. "It's either the Navy or more grain runs with your favorite captain."

Liam looked at the paper for a few moments. "Then grain runs it shall be."

Liam walked to the side of the ship.

Killian sat up. "No."

Liam tore the parchment in half, throwing them into the water. "Come hell or high water, I cannot leave my brother."

ღ

Now

Underworld

Street

Axel was looking around the empty street. "Wow. Even for the Underworld, it is dead around here."

Hades appeared. "I couldn't agree more. Axel, isn't it?" Axel jumped, turning to face him warily. "Axel's your name, right?" Hades was holding a drink. "This Scotch is a few centuries old. I think it's aged quite well. The key is to store it underground. Here. Try some."

"No, thanks," Axel told him.

Hades chuckled. "Right, you're one of the teens. Anyway, you see, I'm--I'm not such a bad guy."

"Tell that to my friends," Axel told him. "Jefferson, Freya, Alcina, Grace and Rose are trapped here because of you. You tortured Grace's father and have been trying to destroy her mother's mind."

Hades chuckled. "Right, you and your little crush with Grace. The werewolf and the Illusionist. Quite the story you two could turn out to be. Speaking of, I heard you're looking for the storybook."

"So, you found us out," Axel told him.

Hades nodded. "Well, like Christoper said, I have eyes everywhere, some closer to you than you might think. What I don't have is that storybook."

"And what do you want from me?" Axel asked.

Hades shook his head. "Not much. I don't even really care about that book, except for a few select pages... the ones about me. So, find the book and destroy them."

"Why would I do that?" Axel asked.

"You came here to the Underworld for your friends, and that is saying something since you met them so recently in Camelot," Hades told him. "Really says a lot about your loyalty, Axel. If you do that for your friends you just met, makes me wonder what you would do for the family you accidentally killed while wolfing out on a full moon."

Axel glared at him. "You have them." Hades smirked, nodding. "What if I refuse to do what you say?"

"I'll either send your family to the River of Lost Souls, or the flames down below the Underworld," Hades answered. "And let's not forget about the family of Grace, who you seem so fond of, and who seems so fond of you, Axel. You want me to release her name, and Rose and Alcina and Freya's from the stones, let Freya use her heart to revive Jefferson, save them both?"

"I'm not an idiot," Axel told him. "I know you won't let us all go that easily."

Hades chuckled, impressed, pointing at him. "And you're smart. I like that. I can guarantee the sake of your own family is in the balance, though. Axel, what would you do to save the family that you killed? Remember I have eyes on you and everyone you care about, wolf boy. I know what your decision will be, and if you make the wrong one, if you tell anyone else, you're the one who killed your family all over again."

Axel glared at Hades but knew he couldn't do anything to hurt him.

ღღ

Sheriff's Station

Snow and David walked in.

"Looks like my evil twin's out on patrol," David told her.

"Great," Snow told him. "Then let's find that key and get the hell out of here. Top drawer, just like at home. You two are so alike."

David gave her a look. "Next you're gonna say we kiss the same. Never mind. Don't want to know. Just find the key."

Snow searched through the drawer in the desk for the key, finding it. "Just like Cyrus said."

They heard Cruella's voice, jumping. "James, is that you, darling?"

"Cruella," Snow whispered.

"James?" Cruella called.

David looked at Snow. "Go, I've got this."

Snow shook her head worriedly. "No, David!"

"No, she thinks I'm him," David told her. "Go, go, go, go, go."

Snow quickly left with the key.

Cruella walked in, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses, sighing. "Oh, I'm so glad you're here, James darling. I've had a nasty, fruitless day, and mummy needs to unwind."

Cruella walked toward him.

David was stunned. "I'm sure you do."

Cruella kissed him, before making David sit down, sitting on his lap. "So, Sheriff, what would you like to try first? The champagne or me?"

Cruella popped the cork on the champagne. David was very nervous, chuckling.

ღ

Granny's Diner

Emma and Regina were sitting at the counter. Emma was on edge.

"Will you stop staring at the door?" Regina asked. "When your parents walk through it, I promise I'll tell you."

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Emma told her. "I should've gone with them."

"Would you relax?" Regina asked. "People are starting to stare at us. Remember what Christopher said. We need to act casual."

Emma nodded. "Okay."

Regina considered what to do for a moment that would calm her down, taking Emma's hand. Emma looked at her, slightly surprised, but not by much. They both smiled slightly.

"Your parents always find a way, Emma," Regina told her. "Every single time. Trust me."

"I do trust you," Emma told her. "I trust my parents. I just don't trust my psychotic uncle. Or whoever else they could run into there."

Regina chuckled. "Oh. Okay. Would you stop worrying?"

"I'm the Protector," Emma reminded her. "It's my job to worry about everybody. Protect everybody. I didn't want that job at first. Never thought I would ever actually want it, though. But I do now."

"Well, I never thought I would end up like a hero," Regina told her. "Never thought I would want to. Sometimes I still don't want to. It's hard to explain. But now I am one. Guess fate's crazy like that, Emma."

Emma nodded, smiling. Regina chuckled. Looking at each other for a moment, they shared a passionate kiss.

Elsewhere, Tori, Saphira, Mathias, Faye and Derek were talking.

"So when are we telling the others that Mama Tori is pregnant with another Siren Dragon?" Faye asked. "You know how only Papa Mathias was born in an egg shell in this family, besides Aunt Lily, because they had parents who were both Dragons. Saphira and I weren't born from eggs because Mama Tori is a Siren, Papa Mathias is a Dragon, and then for me, Mama Zelena is just a witch. Also why Derek's and my child wasn't born in an egg. So the same goes for Mama Tori and Papa Mathias's new baby. They won't be born from an egg, either."

"Faye?" Tori asked.

"Yeah?" Faye asked.

"Calm down," Tori told her. "We'll tell the others when we have time."

Mathias nodded in agreement. "When none of us are about to be dead. Or if none of us is trapped."

Faye scoffed. "Yeah. Good luck with that."

Saphira gave her sister a look. "Faye."

"We will tell them," Mathias told them. "We just have to be careful about it. Who knows what Hades could do to a pregnant Siren with a Siren/Dragon waiting to be born?"

"And everybody else is going through a lot right now," Tori added. "With Freya, Alcina, Rose and Grace's names on the stones, trapped. Jefferson not alive and not able to take half the madness back from Freya. Everything's just complicated right now."

"And, yes, we know everything is gonna stay complicated," Mathias told them. "We're just waiting for a time where it's less complicated. There's no such thing as a right time for any of us."

"But there could be such a thing that is a right time to tell the others," Tori told them. "Just give us time. Okay?"

Mathias nodded. "Okay."

Saphira, Faye and Derek nodded. "Okay."

Elsewhere at their table, Freya, Jefferson, Grace and Alcina were talking.

"Jefferson?" Alcina asked. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Alcina," Jefferson told her. "You?"

"Me?" Alcina asked. "After everything Hades is doing to you guys, you're worried about me?"

Grace gave her a look. "You're trapped down here too, Aunt Ally. We never thought we would be down here for this long. I mean, we were only supposed to be down here for one day. We didn't know that Hades was gonna keep Papa trapped and tortured. Or that he was gonna trap you, me, Rose and Mama down here. And you have a family up there. Robin. Your twins. Faye and Derek have their baby. Snow and David have Neal. Tori, Saphira, Mathias, Faye and Grandpa have Belle waiting up there for them. Derek has Robin and Roland."

Freya took her daughter by the hand. "We will be fine, Grace. We'll find a way out of here. I promise." She took her sister by the hand. "And we will find a way for you to get back to your babies and the man you love, Ally."

Alcina smiled in relief to see this side of her sister again. "You're doing a lot better than you were before, Cilla. I missed the saner, sharper side of you." She looked at Jefferson sarcastically. "Wonder who brought that side of her back."

Jefferson smiled slightly, wrapping an arm around Grace and Freya. "I can't take all the credit, Alcina. You and Grace, Henry, Rose, Lisa and Blake have been helping Freya with her mind before you guys found me. Even Gold did."

Grace and Freya returned the embrace. Alcina smiled at this.

Axel walked into the diner quickly to walk up to Henry, Blake and Cyrus. "Guys, I need your help."

"What's wrong?" Henry asked. "Axel?"

Axel looked around. "I can't say here. Hades has eyes and ears everywhere. He said some closer to us than we think."

"He said?" Blake repeated. "Axel, please tell me that Hades didn't come for you."

Axel shushed him loudly so no one else heard because he didn't want Hades to find out about his. Seeing how urgent Axel was, Henry, Blake and Cyrus remained quiet, worried.

Rose walked in with the key. "Guys. Grandma found the key."

ღ

Sorcerer's Mansion - Outside

The group, plus Liam, walked up to the mansion.

"Hades must have locked this place down after he realized Axel and I were here before, looking for my father and Axel's family," Cyrus explained.

"So this kind of magic won't let us use magic to open it," Christopher explained. "It's Divine magic. Anyone who tries to use magic to open it, they could die."

"That's why we got he key," Alcina told them. "But like Christopher said. Could be dangerous to open it."

"Oh, well, I suppose I should do the honors," Liam told them. "I've been dead the longest. I'd say I have the least to lose."

"You always were the noble one, weren't you?" Killian asked.

Rose handed the key to Liam. "Knock yourself out."

Liam went to open the door. Axel was looking at Liam suspiciously, since Hades had said that he had eyes and ears closer to him than anyone thought.

ღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Night - Sea

The ship was now sailing, heading straight for a hurricane. The men were shouting in panic. Liam was looking at the oncoming storm through a spyglass, while Silver looked relatively calm.

Killian ran up to his brother. "Liam! I'm sorry. I dragged you into this voyage."

"We have other demons to confront," Liam told him. "Look!" He handed Killian the spyglass, motioning for him to look at the storm. Killian looked through the spyglass, and a look of fear crossed his face. Liam approached Silver. "Captain Silver, are you aware this ship is pointed dead into a storm?"

"Back to the rigging, Jones," Silver told him. "Leave the navigation to the officers."

"Well, your officers are doing a piss poor job," Killian told him. "We're 30 degrees off course, headed into a hurricane!"

"We're aware," Silver told them. "Carry on."

"Are you mad?" Liam demanded. "What kind of captain sails into a hurricane?"

Silver raised his voice. "The kind that earns his namesake! The king offered a mighty reward for what's inside that storm."

"This voyage was never about the grain in the hold, was it?" Liam asked. "You're going after the cursed sapphire, the Eye of the Storm."

"So you've heard of it?" Silver asked.

"Well, every sailor's heard of it," Killian answered. "Countless men have sailed into that storm looking for that bloody stone, but none have survived!"

"If you don't like how I run my ship, you should've left when you had the chance," Silver told them. "Now, move along before I string you up for mutiny."

"Easy, Captain," Liam told him. "I have always abhorred the idea of mutiny." He looked t Killian, drawing Silver's sword. "But if that's what it takes to save these men, then so be it!"

"Now, shall we do this the easy way, or the bloody way?" Killian asked.

Silver gave the order for one of his men to drop the sword, surrendering.

Liam looked at the sailors. "The ship is ours, men!" The men began to cheer. Liam approached Killian. "Tie these bastards up. I'll go find the captain's charts and plot a course out of this bloody typhoon."

"Than you, Liam," Killian told him. "There's no one I'd rather follow into a storm."

ღ

Now

Underworld

Sorcerer's Mansion

The group was making their way through. Killian moved a spider cobweb aside, making sure Ella could pass through as well, before letting it go.

Lisa looked around sarcastically. "Wonderful. I love what they've done with the place. I like this mansion more when it belongs to Cyrus, Axel, Blake and Henry."

The four boys smiled.

Grace looked at Axel. "Chocolate fountain?"

Axel nodded. "Chocolate fountain."

They smiled.

"We should split up and move fast," Christopher told them.

"Uh, yeah," Emma agreed. "I guess."

"Henry, uh, you got to stay here," Ella told him.

"But this place is technically still mine, Blake, Cyrus and Axel's," Henry told them. "The four of us know it better than anyone else. I'm not gonna stand behind and do nothing."

"You're not doing nothing," Ella told him. "You're the lookout."

"Lookout?" Henry repeated.

"Don't argue with your mother," Regina told him.

"But--" Henry started.

Regina gave him a look. "Or your mother." She looked from Henry to Rose. "Goes for both of you."

"I have magic, thank you very much," Rose replied. "And I'm the guardian to this thing. So by definition, I have to do this."

Faye was trying not to laugh at all of this. "Ooh..."

They all split up to look.

Freya sighed. "All right, book. If you're here, give us a sign."

Jefferson looked at her. "Cilla."

Freya turned to him. "Hmm?"

"Please tell me you're not asking the book to give you a sign," Jefferson told her.

Freya shrugged, looking away awkwardly, sheepishly. "I told you before, I'm not okay."

Jefferson managed to chuckle, pulling her closer by the arm, wrapping his arm around her. "Well, I'm gonna make sure you will get better. Okay?" Freya nodded. Jefferson kissed her hand. Freya smiled slightly. "Come on."

They walked along.

ღ

Room

Liam managed to find the book, opening it, tearing out the pages with Hades's story, pocketing them. "I'm sorry, brother."

ღღ

Sheriff's Station

Cruella was trying to get David to drink with her. "Come on, drink up like a good boy."

David shook his head. "I have to get up for an early patrol." Cruella scoffed, kissing his face. "Fresh souls arriving. Always someone new to shake down."

Cruella sighed. "Is Mummy boring you, James? Normally you're so much more enthusiastic when I come to visit you in your dungeon. Oh. Maybe we need to try spicing things up with a little hardware, hmm?"

David had finally had enough, throwing her off. "Does this act really work on him? Because, frankly, I find it repulsive."

Cruella pouted. "Oh, boo. Couldn't you have pretended to be Jimmy a little while longer?"

David looked at her in shock. "Wait, you mean all this time, you knew?"

Cruella sighed. "Well, of course I knew. I mean, you might look like him, but you have none of his unique, delicious damage."

David gave her an unamused look. "What damage is that?"

"The damage you're responsible for, darling," Cruella told him.

"Me?" David repeated skeptically. "I never even met the guy."

"Oh, sure you have," Cruella told him. "When you were infants, curled up safe in your mummy's arms, until she had to choose which one of you went to live with the king and who stayed with her. She had to pick her favorite, and she picked you."

David scoffed. "That is not my fault."

Cruella smirked. "Well, your brother disagrees. He's spent his whole life and death wondering why you and not him."

David sighed. "Well, I don't have the answers for him, okay?"

Cruella looked at him curiously. "Oh, there it is. That same damage I see in James. One of these days, you two are going to meet and it's going to be... one hell of a reunion."

ღ

Sorcerer's Mansion

The group was all standing around the book, having flicked through it, finding nothing on Hades, all looking a bit defeated.

"There's no mention of Hades' story anywhere," Freya told them.

"Why am I not surprised?" Regina asked.

Emma noticed the ripped pages. "Yeah. And look. There's some pages that are missing."

"Back during the first Curse, Henry, Rose and Lisa tore out the pages about Emma and Ella so Regina wouldn't know that they were the Protector and Savior," Jefferson explained.

"Well, if Hades has done the same?" Tori asked. "We don't stand much chance of finding it."

Mathias looked at Liam suspiciously. "What do you think, Liam? You found the book. Was there any evidence it had been tampered with?"

Liam shook his head. "No."

Alcina sighed. "Well, until I find any, I'll choose to have hope. Those pages could have fallen out and still be in this house. And I for one, won't give up without trying to find them."

They all went another way again, except for the circle, who hung back. Lisa, Rose, Grace, Saphira, Faye and Derek noticed that they weren't moving, staying behind as well.

"What's wrong?" Grace asked. "Aren't you coming?"

Cyrus nodded. "Uh, yeah, sorry. Axel just told us something about Hades we couldn't say in front of Liam. We think he's the eyes and ears that was closer to us than we thought. Axel sensed he was lying, and by the looks on Emma and Ella's faces, I think they sensed it, too."

"There's something you should know about Hades, Axel and what we think is going on with Liam," Blake told them. "And it all has to do with Axel's family being down here, but us being unable to find them, just like with Jefferson."

The others looked at them in surprise, concern.

ღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Ship - Captain's Quarters

Liam was looking at a map, in an attempt to try and find a way to avoid the hurricane. Thunder continued to crash outside.

Hades appeared. "You know, reading without the proper light can do a real number on your eyes."

"Who are you?" Liam asked.

"Who I am isn't important," Hades told him. "What is, is I'm here to help you. Here, allow me." He lit a candle. "Ah, yeah, there." He chuckled. "That's better. You know, this mutiny isn't going to look good for you. Your dreams of captaining a ship in the King's Navy are over."

Liam frowned. "My dreams? How do you know about them?"

Hades laughed, sitting down at the table. "I... I know a lot about you, Liam. Is it still dark in here? Let's try this."

Hades set his hair on fire with blue flame, before magically lighting all the candles in the room.

Liam jumped back in shock. "You! You're a demon!"

"Technically, I'm a god, but a lot of people make that mistake," Hades told him. "I'm Hades, Lord of the Underworld."

"What do you want?" Liam asked.

"I want the precious cargo aboard this ship," Hades answered. "The beautiful, shiny, new souls you're trying to save." Liam grabbed a sword, pointing it at Hades. Hades chuckled. "Don't bother with that. You can't hurt me. I'm immortal. Lucky for you, I can't hurt you, either. At least not up here, not in the Overworld. That's what I call this place. My power has its limits here, which is why I came to offer you a deal. You agree to let this ship sink like I want, and I promise to use my magic to ensure you and your brother survive. And to sweeten the deal, I'll even throw in this."

Hades magically produced the stone Silver had been after.

Liam was in shock. "It's the Eye of the Storm."

Hades nodded. "You deliver this to your king, and he'll give you anything you want, including that Navy job you've always wanted. Your dreams can be fulfilled."

ღ

Now

Underworld

Sorcerer's Mansion - Outside

Liam was by the well, taking the page out, looking at them for a few moments, hearing footsteps behind him, hurriedly throwing the pages into the well. The circle, Lisa, Grace, Rose, Saphira, Derek and Faye were walking outside.

"Are you sure about this?" Lisa asked.

"Yes," Blake answered. "This is Axel's family we're talking about, and we're not letting Hades hurt them."

"Exactly," Cyrus told them.

"Plus, we're not killing him," Lisa told them. "He's already dead, and we won't hurt him, just scare him to confess, right?"

The others didn't answer, looking away awkwardly.

"Guys?" Henry asked.

Faye gave in, rolling her eyes. "Fine. Not actual really hurting him."

"Even though I wish we did, we won't, not with the morality couple here," Blake told them.

"Morality couple?" Grace repeated.

"Yeah, you know, Lisa and Henry, they're the purest and most innocent out of all of us, so they're our moral compass, and by definition, the mortality couple," Blake answered.

Cyrus and Rose nodded. "True."

Cyrus and Rose exchanged a look, smiling slightly.

"Lisa the Light Bringer, purest of them all," Derek told them. "Plus Henry is the one who holds us back since he's the Truest Believer."

"No wonder they're soulmates," Rose teased.

Faye smirked in amusement. "Morality couple is a really good name, Blake, and you really run this whole shipping thing down pretty well, don't you?"

Blake smiled. "Well, thank you, Faye."

Henry attempted to pull on a bad boy pose, but failing. "I can be mean and intense."

Lisa put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Of course you can."

Henry smiled.

The others spoke together. "No, you can't."

Lisa gave them a look.

Saphira smirked in amusement. "Come on, let's just do this."

Grace pointed at Saphira and Derek. "Yes, even though we're pretty capable of torturing on our own, it would be a lot more better with Fatale Faye, and Bonnie and Clyde here with us. Saphira and Derek, Bonnie and Clyde, pirate and thief."

Saphira and Derek gave Grace a sarcastic smirk at being called Bonnie and Clyde.

"All right, guys, let's put on our mean faces," Blake told them.

They all nodded, making their way over to Liam. Axel werewolf rushed up to Liam, hitting his head against the well, throwing him to the floor. Saphira and Faye flew closer, kicking Liam into the house, making him fall. Faye, Saphira and Axel rushed closer to stand a few feet in front of him. Liam stood, looking at them in fear, attempting to draw his sword and swing.

Cyrus used magic to disintegrate the sword. "Not so fast."

Liam drew another weapon. Rose used her Enchantress power to turn the weapon into bubbles, making them float away. Blake shot darkness at Liam, sending him into the well, pinning him there, making him groan in pain. They all stood together, facing Liam.

"Take a seat, shall you?" Saphira asked sarcastically.

"Now, we're only gonna ask this once," Axel told him angrily. "I know Hades has my family, and we know you're working for him, so where the hell is he keeping them?"

"Tell us," Cyrus told him.

Rose held up a hand glowing with red rose power. "Now."

Derek drew an arrow from the quiver on his back, spinning the arrow in his hand. "Or you'll regret it."

"What, you think by bringing a Dragon Siren pirate, a thief, and Fatale, you can scare me?" Liam asked. "Go ahead, try it."

"Now, that doesn't sound like a location, does it?" Faye asked.

The others shook their heads.

"That's one less chance you have to tell us," Saphira told him. "And, spoiler alert, there are only two, so you better get it right this time."

Liam didn't answer, just glaring.

"All right, then," Cyrus told him.

Grace looked at Rose, Blake, Faye and Saphira. "Would you do the honors?"

Blake smirked dangerously. "Thought you would never ask."

Rose used magic to conjure knives. Blake used his dark power to make them levitate toward Liam, making them stop at his neck. Lisa and Grace put out a hand toward a plant, making it grow and tie itself against Liam, tightening. Derek loaded his arrow into his bow, aiming at Liam. Saphira and Faye conjured fire from their Dragon side.

"What are you gonna do, kill me?" Liam asked sarcastically.

"You're already dead, genius," Henry replied.

Liam looked at Lisa. "What, you're just gonna stand there and help them? I thought the Light Bringer was supposed to be the most innocent being in all worlds."

"She is, but Lisa went through a stint of being the Dark Being, and it really changed her," Henry explained.

"And you're working for the guy threatening Axel's family," Lisa told him.

"She has this thing about hurting family," Grace told him.

"We all do," Saphira told him. "Trust me."

"Now before you go all..." Faye trailed off, starting to mock and impersonate Liam, making hilarious hand gestures to indicate Liam being dead, hurting him, etc. "Oh, oh, I'm dead, you can't really hurt me, blah, blah, blah."

Blake couldn't help but laugh a little at the way she did that, looking at Liam. "Hades can hurt dead people because he's a celestial being, but so am I, and so is my sister."

"Even though I might not really hurt you," Lisa told him.

"But we will," Derek told him.

"You see, these knives Rose made, and the Derek's arrows I enchanted?" Cyrus asked. "Trust me, they will hurt as if you're alive."

Liam gulped nervously. "I don't know."

"Really, lying?" Faye asked. "God, you are pathetic."

Cyrus nodded to the others.

Blake looked at Liam. "Last chance. Axel's family, where are they?"

Liam didn't answer.

"So be it," Derek told him.

Axel looked at them. "Do it."

Faye smirked, really channeling her Fatale side. "Tell me when it hurts."

Blake used magic to fling Rose's knives toward Liam. Saphira and Faye blew fire at Liam. Derek shot an arrow at him.

Liam gave in. "Stop, stop, please, and I'll tell you everything I know about Axel's family."

Cyrus used his magic to stop the arrow and the knives before they reached Liam. Saphira and Faye let their fire fade.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Blake asked.

"Put him down," Derek told them.

Lisa, Rose and Grace made their power release Liam, making him fall to the ground hard.

Liam groaned in pain. "Now that hurt."

"No small talk," Lisa told him. "Axel's family. Now."

Rose noticed ink on Liam's fingers, realizing something.

Killian walked toward them. "What's going on?"

"They think I know where Axel's family is," Liam answered.

"And he took the pages," Rose told him. "I can prove it. Ask him to show you his hands. He's been hiding them since we got here."

"He's working for Hades," Derek told him. "He thinks he can keep some secret from you that way. Hades is threatening Axel's family, and Liam knows where they are."

Killian looked at them incredulously. "You're bloody joking, right?"

Cyrus pulled Liam's hands out of his pockets to show Killian. "I don't know. Are we? Look for yourself."

They all saw the ink stains on Liam's hands.

"Your hands," Saphira told him. "You are hiding something."

"It's nothing," Liam told them.

"It's the ink from the pages," Saphira told him. "Rose was right, and so was Axel about you working with Hades."

Killian looked at his brother in betrayal. "You know where Axel's family is?"

Liam gave in. "Yes. I can tell you where the men who took them are, but if Hades knows we're all coming, then we're all dead. It can't be all of us."

"It has to be just Axel, Liam and Hook," Blake agreed. "Fine, but if even a hair on Axel's head is touched, or if Hook gets hurt..."

Faye looked at Liam. "You're going to beg for whatever Hades has planned for you."

As the others walked away, leaving Axel, Liam and Killian alone, Grace hesitated. "Axel..."

"It's okay, Grace," Axel told her. "I can handle this."

"You came all this way to help me with my family," Grace told him. "I wanna help you with yours, Axel."

Axel shook his head. "Grace, your family needs you more right now, okay? I can get to my family. But I have to do it alone. If I need anything, I'll call for you."

Grace reluctantly nodded. "And I'll be there before you know it."

Axel nodded. "I know you will." Grace, though worried, knew he was right, placing a kiss on his cheek, walking away with the others. Axel angrily turned to face Liam. "Take me to my family."

Liam nodded, leading them away from the house. Killian and Axel followed him.

Killian looked at Liam incredulously in anger. "I don't understand. Why would you lie to me? Why are you working with Hades?"

Silver and his crew walked closer.

"Because he's got bigger secrets than what's in some book," Silver answered. "Like the truth about what he did to us. Hello, Axel. If you're looking for the people who took your brother and your father for Hades, you're looking at them. It wasn't Liam, mate. It was us. But it's because of Liam and Hades."

ღღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Night - Sea

Killian was now attempting to steer the ship safely as they drew closer to the storm. "The storm is upon us, men! Raise the main sail! Hurry, look alive for your captain, men!" He turned to Liam. "You're just in time. We can't take this battering much longer. What course should I have the men chart?"

"Continue on our present course," Liam told him. "Dead ahead."

"Into the storm?" Killian asked.

"I'm afraid we've no choice," Liam told him. "According to Silver's charts, there's rocky shores on either side of us. Trying to turn her around in these winds would tear us apart."

"Are you sure?" Killian asked.

Liam nodded. "I need your trust, brother. I want you to have this."

Liam gave Killian the ring that he had given Ella.

"This is your lucky ring," Killian told him.

"The one that always gets me home safe," Liam told him. "That's how sure I am."

Killian called out to the men. "Men! My brother, Liam, is a true hero! A better man and a better sailor than I could ever wish to be! I would gladly trust him with my life, and if he says that there's a chance that we can be saved, then he will save us! But we have to trust him. Are you with me?"

The crew answered together. "Aye!"

Killian nodded. "Chart our course dead ahead!"

ღ

Now

Underworld

Street

Further away from the mansion, Silver and his men surrounded Axel, Killian and Liam, all having weapons pointed at them to keep Axel from going wolf.

"What truth is he talking about, Liam?" Killian asked. "Why would Hades have them take Axel's family just to hide a secret? What does it have to do with those missing pages?"

"Your brother is not the hero he pretends to be," Silver told him. "Hades told us that when you, Axel, and the rest of your friends arrived. He told us your brother's secret, using it to convince us to take Axel's family to get revenge on both of the Brothers Jones. Hades told us how Liam traded our souls for the Eye of the Storm. Hades threatened Axel with his family to try and convince him to destroy the pages from the book, but Axel, being more of a man than Liam, declined, willing to find a way to defeat Hades and save his family, but your brother has been working with Hades this entire time to keep his secret safe."

Killian looked at his brother in betrayal. "Liam, please tell me there's another explanation for this."

"I'm sorry, Killian, but I didn't have any other choice," Liam told him. "I had to do what I could in order to save us."

Killian was in shock. "You lied to me."

Axel glared at the men. "And now you're going to take me to my family."

"Oh, we're going to do more than that, Axel," Silver told him. "We're going to punish the brothers here, and let Hades punish you for disobeying him. Men!"

Axel didn't go wolf yet because he knew he had to let them take him to his family so he could see them, save them.

ღ

Fiery Cave

The crew had taken Axel, Killian and Liam to the fiery room, with sacks over their heads. Two boys were standing on the ledge, one of them being Axel's father Samuel, and his brother Elijah.

Silver looked at his crew. "You can remove them now."

The men removed the sacks from Axel, Killian and Liam's heads, who looked shocked by where they were.

Samuel and Elijah were stunned to see their family. "Axel?"

Axel was in shocked relief to see them, but also deep pain and regret since he had been the one to kill them. "Papa! Elijah!"

The crewmen kept them apart.

Silver pointed his sword at Samuel and Elijah. "It's time to walk the plank."

"I'll gladly walk it," Liam told him. "Just spare Killian, Axel, and Axel's family, please. They have nothing to do with this."

"Your brother should've gone down along with the ship, like the rest of us, and now he finally will," Silver told him. "Axel's a monster, a werewolf, who killed his own family here, who are now wrapped up in all of this because Hades wanted to torment you and Axel and his family for not obeying his orders."

Liam looked at his brother sadly. "I'm sorry, Killian. I wanted to be this perfect example for you, to inspire you."

Killian shook his head. "All you did was raise the bar so high, the only thing I could do was fail."

"Axel, look at me, son," Samuel told him. "You have to look at me and Elijah." Axel looked at them with tears in his eyes. "Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't control it."

Axel tried not to cry. "I'm sorry, Papa. Elijah, I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me for what I've done?"

"Yes, but that's not what's important," Elijah answered. "You need to find a way to forgive yourself. I know why Papa and I are here, Axel. It's because of you. Not because of what we did. But our unfinished business is because we need you to know that we forgive you."

"No more talking!" Silver told them. "Time to go, boys."

His crew members laughed.

Hades appeared in blue fire. "Did someone decide to have a party and forget to invite me?"

Silver turned to look at Hades, looking shocked. "Lord--Lord Hades." Hades blew Silver off the cliff into the fire. "No!"

Hades chuckled. "And now for Axel. It's too late. You had one job, and you failed, and now you're going to watch your family die, all over again. I finally get to meet Axel's father, Samuel. Axel's brother Elijah. You two have the kind enough hearts to forgive the beast that lost control and tore you apart on a full moon. Familial love is something I'll never understand, even though I have quite the complicated family myself. Christopher, Lisa and Blake aren't the only ones I have issues with. But, Axel, you didn't keep up your end of our bargain. You betrayed me and went to your friends for help, and you found out Liam working for me, and for that, you must pay. Or should we say that your father and brother have to pay?"

"Leave them alone!" Axel told him angrily. He turned to his family. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. It should be me in there, not you."

"Don't ever say that, my boy," Samuel told him. "This isn't your fault. You didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"We're sorry that you spent all this time with this guilt by you, brother, but you need to know that we don't blame you, no matter what," Elijah told him. "There is nothing you can do that would make us stop loving you."

"There is nothing to forgive you for," Samuel told him. "But we know you need to know it, so we want you to know."

Samuel and Elijah spoke together. "We forgive you."

Killian stepped up to confront Hades. "No. I won't let you hurt Axel or his family, no matter what kind of god or demon you might be."

"Fine," Hades told him. "Have it your way."

Hades blew again, sending Liam over the edge this time, making him fall into Samuel and Elijah, and nearly making them all fall.

Axel used wolf speed to rush closer and grab hold of Samuel and Elijah's hands. "No!"

Samuel reached down to grab the hand of Liam before he fell, but the weight of the three boys were nearly pulling Axel off the edge. Killian ran closer to grab Axel by the shoulders, helping him stay on the edge, though they were both being pulled down by the other three.

"Liam, please hang on," Killian told him. "Axel, keep hold of your family."

"I'm sorry, brother," Liam told him.

"I forgive you," Killian told him. "Now, like Axel's brother said. Forgive yourself."

Liam shook his head. "I can't, not after what I did to you. To all of you. The only way to make amends and to save you is for me to pay the price."

"No," Killian told him. "No!" Because Axel and Killian were nearly falling off the edge, Liam let go of Samuel's hand so they wouldn't have to fall, saving them. "Liam!"

Hades was using his power to make the entire room shake, making Axel and Killian lose grip on Samuel and Elijah, making them fall.

Axel tried to catch them, yelling in pain and anger. "No!"

Killian and Axel were in shock and denial, turning to face Hades, when the room suddenly became bright, and the other side of the bridge turned into the ocean with a ship.

Hades sighed. "No."

"What's happening?" Axel asked.

Hades glared at them. "You will pay for this."

Hades disappeared in blue fire. Liam, Samuel and Elijah were standing in a rowboat, being lifted back up to safety by water, unharmed. Killian and Axel turned to face them, standing up.

"Papa?" Axel asked. "Elijah?"

"We're okay, Axel," Samuel told him.

Killian sighed in relief. "Liam. You're safe."

Liam chuckled. "Yes. It appears we are. I suppose this is a sacrifice I should have made long ago, and now I can finally depart."

The boat docked them by the ledge. Samuel and Elijah stepped outside the boat toward Axel.

"We've had our time, Axel," Elijah told him. "We're free now. And you're free, now that you know we forgive you. You just have to forgive yourself."

Axel sighed heavily. "I don't know if I can do that."

"You have to, son," Samuel told him. "We'll be fine. We just needed to make sure that you would be."

Killian looked at the crew. "Go. All of you. Now that you finally know the truth, your unfinished business is complete as well. Get on board, men."

Samuel and Elijah embraced Axel, who was crying now.

"Forgive yourself, Axel, and everything will be fine," Elijah told him.

Axel sighed heavily as he was no longer crying. "I'll try. I promise. I love you."

"We love you, too," Samuel told him.

"I'm glad I got to see you one last time, brother," Elijah told him.

"And that you finally found people after us that love you and accept you for who you are, because who you are is amazing, Axel," Samuel told him. "Don't forget who you are, and that is an amazing, unique, kind and precious creature, but also human being."

"And don't forget that we love you," Elijah told him. "We've never blamed you, Axel. Now it's time for you to stop blaming yourself."

Liam was saying goodbye to his brother. "Don't worry about reaching that bar anymore, Killian. You've become a true hero in a way I never could. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, brother," Killian told him.

The two brothers embraced.

Samuel and Elijah embraced their family one more time. "Goodbye, Axel."

Axel nodded, now more reassured than ever. "Goodbye."

Liam, Samuel and Elijah joined the men on the boat, which rowed them away, as Axel and Killian watched on.

ღღ

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

Day - Island

The ship had been shipwrecked. Liam and Killian were the only survivors, climbing onto dry land, coughing, breathing heavily.

A man approached them with naval sailors. "Ahoy, there! by the king's name, what's happened to you two sailors?"

"We're survivors of the tempest, that plagues these waters," Killian answered.

"Let me guess," the man told them. "You went in search of the Eye of the Storm? If you ask me, you got what you deserved."

"You may be right, but that gem is no legend," Liam told him, breathing heavily, pulling out the gem to show them.

The man was in shock. "You found it."

"But how?" Killian asked.

"In the bedlam, my brother was knocked unconscious," Liam told them. "I managed to swim us to a few planks of wood. Providence did the rest."

The man looked at Killian. "Young man, your brother is a hero. My ship will bring you to the king, who has offered a great reward for this stone."

Liam shook his head. "We do not seek wealth, only honor. Perhaps his majesty might grant us a naval commission?"

"Why wait for the king?" the man asked. "I would be honored to offer you both commissions on my ship. She's the flagship of the Royal Navy."

Killian looked at the ship. "She's very pretty. What's her name?"

The man smiled. "The Jewel of the Realm."

Killian looked at his brother. "Thank you, Liam, for being the hero that I always wished to be. I won't squander this second chance you've given to me."

The brothers laughed as they followed the Navy sailors down the beach.

ღ

Now

Underworld

Sorcerer's Mansion

Ella was looking for Killian, Henry and Rose. Killian walked in.

Ella turned to face him. "Killian, where the hell have you been? First Lisa, Henry, Rose, Grace, Saphira, Derek, Faye, Blake, Cyrus and Axel were up to something, then you all and Liam took off, while Freya, Emma, Regina, Jefferson, Alcina, Tori, Mathias, Christopher and I were still looking for clues, and..."

Killian walked closer reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Ella. But the teens were right about Liam. He destroyed those pages because of a deal he made with Hades years ago, a deal that almost got us, Axel and his family thrown into that boiling sea."

Ella looked at him in shock, concern. "Axel and his family? You found them?" Killian nodded. "Well, are you okay? Is Axel and his family?"

"We're fine, love," Killian answered. "Liam, uh, sacrificed himself, but his sacrifice helped a crew we once sailed with. And Axel's family gave Axel the forgiveness he deserved, the forgiveness he never once thought he deserved, but now they've all moved on."

"Did Liam move on, too?" Ella asked. "Axel's family?"

"They did," Killian answered. "You should have seen it, Ella. Ever since the cave, I was thinking of what we were speaking of before Liam came to us this morning, about a future together once we get back to Storybrooke. Everything Liam did was to ensure that I had a future, and I damn well intend to have the best one I can with you."

Killian pulled Ella into a passionate kiss. Surprised but happy, Ella returned the kiss in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck. Killian wrapped his arms around her waist. They pulled away, leaning their heads together, smiling slightly.

ღ

Another Room

Grace found Axel alone in a room, walking closer. "Axel? You okay?"

"I'm... better than okay, actually," Axel answered.

"Does that mean you found them, your family?" Grace asked.

"Yes," Axel answered. "I almost lost them to something horrible, because of Hades, but something happened, and now they're okay. They moved on, along with Liam and the crew that had taken my family to begin with. They're all okay now, Grace. They've moved on."

"So you were your family's unfinished business," Grace told him.

"Yes," Axel answered. "Their business... was to make sure that I knew that they had never blamed me for what I did to them when I lost control. That they had never felt the need to forgive me because they knew it wasn't my fault."

Grace smiled. "Like I kept telling you."

Axel chuckled. "Yeah, but the other part of their unfinished business... was to make sure that I forgave myself, too. And I promised them that I would try right before they moved on. And now I... I don't feel the way I did before. I feel... better. More me."

Grace nodded knowingly. "You forgave yourself."

Axel was stunned, nodding. "I guess so. You know, I've liked you ever since meeting you, Grace. Both times, actually. Back in Camelot, and in Storybrooke. I just never could get close to anyone because of what I felt like after what I did to my family. I was scared that if I got too close to anyone, that I could hurt them."

Grace shook her head. "I know the feeling. The Illusionist power can be very out of control. I've hurt people, but I'm not gonna hurt you, Axel, and you're not gonna hurt me."

Axel chuckled. "I think for the first time, I actually believe that I'm not gonna hurt anyone else. Not unless they're bad guys asking for it. Those villains are free reign."

Grace couldn't help but laugh lightly at that, before returning serious. "I wish I could've helped you."

"You did, just not without realizing it," Axel told her.

Grace managed a smile. "I heard about the deal Hades offered you, about you destroying the pages in exchange for your family, but you denied him to try to help us and save your family at the same time, even though you knew what would happen if you crossed Hades, especially after seeing what he's been doing to my family, and his own family. You may not believe it, but you're quite the hero, Axel, and I wanted to thank you for what you did."

"Well, you're welcome," Axel told her. "And I also wanted to thank you for helping me earlier. And the others. I know who I'm meant to be, Grace, and I intend to stand by that person. And to stand by you. I'm not gonna betray you. Or anyone else. Not even or something like that. I proved that."

Grace smiled, nodding, taking Axel's hand in hers. They looked at each other for a moment, sharing a first, slow, sweet and passionate kiss, pulling away, smiling, kissing again.

ღ

Hatter House - Living Room

The group was gathered around the book.

"There's nothing in this entire book about Hades," Jefferson told them.

Freya sighed, shaking her head. "Liam ripped out every page."

"On behalf of my brother, I'm sorry," Killian told them.

"Maybe there's something else in here that can help us," Mathias told them. "Our storybook had all kinds of secrets in it."

"Well, Cyrus, Henry, Rose and Grace are kind of the expert on storybooks," Tori told them. "It's kind of their job. Where are they?"

"Henry's upstairs," Alcina answered. "Going full emo teenager. Cyrus, Rose and Grace should be back soon. And Axel."

ღ

Outside

Rose was sitting outside, looking down, looking up when she heard someone walking up the steps, seeing it was Cyrus.

"Hey," Cyrus told her. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Rose told him. "Just thinking."

"Mind if I think with you?" Cyrus asked. Rose gestured for him to join her. Cyrus sat down beside her. "So, what are we thinking about? I'm guessing it's about Cruella and the book, the pen, and your power combined with Henry and Grace's being powerful enough to do pretty much anything."

"Please don't give me another talk like what you, Derek and Saphira told me and Henry this morning, Cyrus," Rose told him.

"Too late," Cyrus replied. Rose chuckled lightly at that. "After seeing a family like yours, Rose, I would give anything for a family like that, or just to see my father again, because, whatever is ever going on with you and Henry, you know you always have people you can talk to."

Rose sighed. "Henry, Saphira, Derek, you and I gotta tell them the truth now, don't we?"

Cyrus nodded. Rose nodded in return, sighing. They looked at each other, chuckling lightly. Cyrus offered her his hand. Rose took it, letting him help her up, as they both headed inside.

ღ

Inside - Living Room

Now everyone was gathered. Henry showed them the pen.

"The Author's pen?" Mathias asked. "I thought you destroyed it."

Henry nodded. "I did, but that just brought it here. Cyrus told us where it was. I thought if I used its power, along with Rose and Grace's permission and power since that's part of their jobs, I could be a hero."

"Henry, Rose, what made you think you needed to do this?" Regina asked.

"At first, it was Cruella," Henry answered. "She wanted us to use our power to bring her back to life."

"Henry, why would you help her?" Lisa asked.

"To help you and Grace," Henry answered. "Lisa, you have all this guilt about killing her." Lisa nodded in acknowledgement, sighing. "I just wanted to help you, and help Grace, and help Aunt Freya and Uncle Jefferson, not to mention Aunt Ally, Aunt Freya, Grace and Rose's names on the headstones. I promise."

Lisa was touched by this, walking closer to hug Henry thankfully, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, Henry. But you don't need to do this for me. Or for Freya, Jefferson, Rose, Alcina or Grace."

Henry smiled slightly. The others exchanged a knowing look and smirk.

Henry sighed. "And that's when I realized I have all this power and I ignore it. I just live in everyone's shadow. I want to be the hero instead of the one that heroes rescue."

"We understand that," Emma told him. "But that's not the way to do it."

"We know, and that's why Henry and I are telling you now," Rose told them. "We know what Derek, Saphira and Cyrus meant earlier."

"We're gonna write the stories as they are, and we'll start with Hades," Henry told them. "Grace can conjure the illustrations or the illusions we need to see to get it done, and I'll be the one writing."

"Rose can help Henry and Grace guard the book and the pages and make sure nothing like this happens again," Blake told them.

"They're gonna recreate his story," Derek told them.

"Hades went to a lot of trouble to keep us from learning his story," Saphira told them. "First Liam. Then he tried to do the same with Axel. But Axel was able to say no. Liam didn't."

"But this means we're onto something," Alcina told them.

Tori nodded. "Question is, what is Hades trying to hide from us?"

Mathias chuckled. "Let's find out, shall we?"

Faye nodded. "We shall."

ღ

Hades's Lair

Hades bent down by a smokey pool, magically producing the same pages Liam destroyed, which contained information. One of the pages showed an illustration of Lisa and Blake with a strange looking staff with their power combined in a brutal show down. He flipped to another page, which showed an illustration of himself with Zelena, sighing. "Zelena. My secrets remain safe. And I can't believe you've kept me a secret from your own daughter Faye. No more secrets soon."