From 5.01 "The Dark Witch", in flashback, Cyrus appeared nearby to speak to Young Priscilla once she was alone.

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

"How do you know my name?" Young Priscilla asked.

"I know many things," Cyrus told her. "And I'm here to tell you, leave the sword alone."

From 5.03 "Siege Perilous", in the station, the squire was in the cell, looking at Arthur. "I would do anything for my kingdom."

Arthur handed him the vial. "Which is why I need you to drink this."

The squire drank the poison, gagging as it killed him from the inside, and in a wave of green smoke, he disappeared.

Arthur: (voice over from 5.03 Siege Perilous) "Your death will be the cornerstone of a great new kingdom."

From 5.04 "The Broken Kingdom", in Granny's diner, As Snow, David, Tori and Mathias prepared to fight the knights, Guinevere blew the sand onto the four of them, making them fall under control before they could fight them all off.

Snow: (voice over from 5.04 The Broken Kingdom) "We can't trust Arthur."

From 5.04 "The Broken Kingdom", in the castle, everyone was talking.

"Turns out David was right," Snow told them. "We can trust Arthur."

From 5.04 "The Broken Kingdom", in Freya's basement, Gold was tied up behind her to a grating. "You could set me free."

"This time, I'm the one not letting you go until I get what I want," Freya told him. "The only one who can get me that sword is you."

Gold shook his head. "I can't be the hero you want."

ღღ

Many Years Ago

Camelot

Night - Woods

Cyrus and Merlin were making their way through the woods, looking around.

"Dark One?" Merlin called. "Dark One!"

Cyrus raised the Dark One dagger. "Enough. I command you to stop!" The Dark One stopped in front of them. "You destroyed her. My mother. And now we will destroy you."

Cyrus raised the dagger over his head, but paused, unable to plunge the knife into the Dark One, who used magic to force Merlin and Cyrus to to the ground.

Merlin was near a breaking point. "Cyrus... I know you miss her. As do I."

The Dark One picked up the dagger, using it to catch the tears of Merlin and Cyrus, catching one of their tears as well. The blade glowed purple. The Dark One used magic to push Merlin and Cyrus to their feet, linking their punishment together, turning Merlin into the tree, and Cyrus into the stone.

ღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Day - Garden

Freya was sitting at the tree and the stone, using a dreamcatcher to watch the memory of what had just happened, looking up at the tree and statue.

Emma was sitting next to her. "That's just what we need. Good job, Freya."

ღ Worlds Colliding (Once Upon a Time) ღ

Woods

Ella, Regina, Alcina, Snow, David, Saphira, Tori and Mathias were walking along.

Alcina sighed. "Do you really think giving the dagger to Arthur is the best way to help Freya?"

"We trust him," Snow told them.

"Implicitly," David told them.

"Did you learn those big words at shepherd school?" Saphira asked. "How do you know you can trust him?"

"Because we're good judges of character," Tori told them. "And we would never act against Freya's best interest."

"Is the dagger in there?" Mathias asked.

Regina pulled out the dagger from a tree stump, sighing. "Are you sure handing the one thing that can control Freya over to Arthur is the right thing to do?"

"Have you lost the power of comprehension?" Mathias asked. "Hand over the da--"

Freya and Emma arrived.

Freya used magic to freeze Tori, Mathias, Snow and David.

"What are you doing?" Ella asked. "When did you get so liberal with dark magic?"

Freya sighed. "No choice. Arthur has them under some kind of spell. He wants them to bring him the dagger. He wants to reunite it with Excalibur."

"Unite it?" Alcina repeated.

Freya nodded. "It was once one blade. It was broken in half a long, long time ago."

"What happens when they're together?" Regina asked.

"He wants to kill Cyrus and Merlin with it," Freya answered. "I don't have to tell you how bad that would be for all of us."

"How do you know this?" Saphira asked. "How do we know this isn't the darkness and madness in you rearing their heads?"

"It's true," Emma told them. "I had Freya use magic to find out what nobody else could find out so we could realize how to free Cyrus and Merlin."

"You what?" Ella asked.

Regina gave her a look. "Emma."

"We didn't have a choice," Emma told them. "It was either Freya using her power to figure out what we need to know or all of this would be for nothing."

Alcina shook her head. "You forget that each time Cilla uses magic, it brings her closer to the darkness and madness taking control of her."

"We don't have a lot of time," Saphira told them. "Arthur's expecting us soon."

"He's the king," Ella told them. "So you want to take on all of Camelot?"

"I want to free Merlin and Cyrus first, Ella," Emma answered. "Then we can help our parents, Tori and Mathias and stop Arthur."

"That's a great plan," Regina told them. "But we have no idea how to get Cyrus and Merlin out of the tree and stone."

"I can find out the rest we need to know," Freya told them. "Then the rest is up to Ella, Emma, Blake, Lisa, Grace and Rose to free Cyrus and Merlin."

Alcina gave her a look. "No. You can't keep using dark magic, Cilla."

"It's a risk we'll have to take," Emma told them.

"Careful, Emma," Regina told her. "I've been on that slippery slope. You know where it got me. You don't want to do that to Freya."

Freya sighed. "All due respect, I'm not you."

ღ

Guest Tower

Henry and Lisa were laying on the floor, looking up at the ceiling as Lisa was using magic to make magical, bright light designs that they watched in happiness and awe, smiling, laughing quietly.

"It's so cool how you can make anything appear," Henry told her. "Why this? I mean, not that I don't love it, since it's amazing, but why choose this?"

Lisa shrugged. "I don't know."

Henry gave her a look. "Yes, you do. I can tell when you're lying."

"What, so now you have Emma and Ella's superpower?" Lisa asked sarcastically.

"No, it's just something that I know about you," Henry answered. "And don't change the subject."

Lisa chuckled. "Fine. It's the last memory I have of my father. He always used his power to make these. I don't remember much about my father, but I remember that." Henry took her hand comfortingly. Lisa looked at him, smiling slightly, kissing him lightly and sweetly. They pulled away, chuckling. "Now it's your turn."

"What?" Henry asked.

"I can tell something's bothering you," Lisa answered. "Spill."

Henry sighed. "I wish I could do more, you know, I mean, we been here looking for a way to help Aunt Freya, and everyone is doing something except for me, and it kinda makes me feel pointless."

Lisa sat up, giving him a look. "Henry, you're not pointless. You've helped us break the first Curse, and we weren't even able to break the second Curse until you, the Truest Believer, was believing again. Don't sell yourself short, okay?"

Henry smiled slightly, nodding. "Okay."

Looking at each other happily, Henry and Lisa shared a sweet kiss.

ღ

Now

Storybrooke

Day One

Morning - Sheriff's Station

The heroes, Cyrus, Arthur and Guinevere were gathered.

"So he just... vanished?" Tori asked.

"Could it be magic?" Derek asked. "Uh, your squire? Did he wield such power?"

Cyrus shook his head. "Not that I ever saw."

"Well, there's no sign of tampering," David told them.

"I tried checking the security footage," Ella told them. "Betamax is done for."

"So we're out of luck there," Emma told them.

Arthur sighed. "He must have lied about having the bean. Must've hidden it on his person somewhere and used it to escape."

"How could he be so selfish?" Guinevere asked. "We could all be home right now."

Cyrus shrugged. "Desperate times."

"Emma and Ella can tell when someone's lying," David told them. "If they say that he wasn't lying? I believe them."

"Your people want so badly to return," Rose told them. "We should do something to raise their spirits. The despair of being away? That's what caused all this. Who knows what else it could lead to?"

"Rose is right," Snow told them. "People need hope. And as your hosts and leaders of this town? It is up to us to provide it."

"Okay," Mathias told them. "What do you have in mind?"

Grace was texting Axel, looking up. "How about a dance?"

Faye looked at Grace's phone. "A dance, huh? Looking for an excuse to ask your boyfriend out on a date?"

Grace gave her a look for saying that in front of everyone, especially Blake and Jefferson. "Faye, shut up."

Faye smiled. Jefferson and Blake reacted protectively. Jefferson was clearly getting darker, more manic.

"Boyfriend?" Blake asked. "What boyfriend?"

Grace looked at Blake and Jefferson. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Who's not your boyfriend?" Jefferson asked.

Saphira smiled in amusement. "I think a dance is exactly what we need."

"Grace, who's this boyfriend?" Jefferson asked.

Killian walked over, smirking. "Well, if it's dating tips you and this boyfriend need, lass, I know my way around the map for both of you."

Ella gave him a look. "Killian, no. Do you want him to murder you?"

Jefferson gave Killian a death look. "Over your dead body."

Killian smirked.

Alcina took Jefferson's arm to lead him away. "Jefferson! Let's start planning. I think it is time Storybrooke had a ball."

Jefferson looked like a kid who got in trouble as Alcina led him out of the station.

ღ

Sidewalk

The group walked down the street, passing by Cruella's car, which was for sale.

"So who's this boyfriend?" Rose asked. "What do we know about him?"

Belle ran up to them. "Tori! Saphira. Mathias. Faye."

"Belle?" Tori asked. "What is it?"

"It's, uh, it's Rumple," Belle answered.

"What happened?" Tori asked.

Belle sighed. "He's missing."

ღ

Freya's House - Basement

Gold was still tied up.

Freya set out food, using magic to untie him. "Better eat up. You're gonna need your strength if you're going to remove the sword."

Gold was breathing heavily. "I, uh, I won't be able to do that. You should really just let me go. Please. I--I need to see Belle."

Freya turned to face him, crossing her arms. "You're not going anywhere until you get me my sword."

"Well, you have so much power," Gold told her. "W-w-why do you need Excalibur?"

"You never told me your plans when you were the Dark One," Freya told him. "Why should I tell you mine?"

"You're right, my plans were always hidden," Gold agreed. "But my reasons were not. Every time I used magic, I told myself it was all for my family, to protect them, to protect you."

"Right up until the point where you used that magic to torture us," Freya told him. "So you can see why I'm not moved."

Gold sighed heavily in guilt, closing his eyes. "I know. And I know you can't physically or emotionally accept an apology, not with the darkness tormenting you, and breaking down the madness inside you more than ever before. The more you justify what you're doing, the more you push them away, and take it from me, you will always lose the ones you love the most."

"Maybe because of the way you abused them," Freya told him. "I wish I could tell you that things were gonna get better for you. They're not."

"Priscilla--" Gold started.

Freya pointed at him sarcastically, tilting her head. "Oh, is this the part where you continue to tell me how sorry you are, how you regret hurting me and everyone I love, how you still believe I can be good and normal and sane? News flash, Papa, it's too late for you to make anything up to me, because you are the one that made me this way."

Gold stepped closer, limping, nearly falling. "I know." Freya held up a hand to use magic to push him back. "You don't have to do this."

"That's where you're wrong," Freya told him. "I actually do."

The more Gold was trying to get through to her, the more the darkness was preying on her madness to make sure that he couldn't get through to her. Freya held her head in pain, and though Gold noticed this, he kept going.

"I'm a horrible father," Gold told her. "I know that. But I do love you, Cilla, and Bae and Ally. I know I'm a horrible grandfather, but I do care about Henry, Rose and Grace. So if you're gonna kill me, then kill me knowing that I am sorry and that I wish I could take it back."

Freya laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not gonna kill you, Papa, not when I still need you for this. And if you're not gonna do it willingly, I'm gonna make you suffer like you made me and everyone I love suffer."

Rumplestiltskin smiled. "That's the girl I was hoping would come forth."

"Shut up," Freya told him.

"Cilla--" Gold started.

Freya nearly snapped, closing her fists, powers lashing out at both Gold and Rumple. "Stop!" Gold ducked, knowing now not to push her too far anymore, while Rumple was thrilled by this reaction, giggling in glee. Freya tried to ignore him, calling out. "Merida."

Merida walked in. "Yes, Dark One?"

Freya glared at Gold. "Get him out of my sight. Take him to the woods and begin."

"How long do you think you can hold my heart and threaten me?" Merida asked.

"As long as it takes me to get what I want," Freya answered.

Merida glared at her. "Maybe. But I'm thinking I can break your spell!"

Merida lunged closer.

Freya turned to face her, holding out Merida's heart, tightening her grip to cause her pain and make her stop, having to stop herself before she could crush the heart, trying to get herself under control. "Now take him to the woods and make me a hero."

Merida gasped in pain. Freya used magic to transport them to the woods in a wave of black smoke, putting Merida's heart down, leaning against the wall, holding her head in pain as she tried to quiet everything inside down.

ღ

Outside

Freya walked outside, down the stairs, using magic to open a shed, walking inside to where hundreds of dreamcathers were, holding one of them, crying.

ღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Day - Cyrus and Merlin's Tower

Freya, Emma, Ella, Regina, Rose, Saphira and Alcina were looking through the tower.

"First, we need to know how the potion you've been working on will react to Freya's magic so that she can find out more about what we need to do to free Cyrus and Merlin," Emma told them. "Bring me the vial."

"I'm not doing a damn thing until you tell us how you got Freya to figure out how David, Mary Margaret, Tori and Mathias were under a spell," Alcina told her.

Freya sighed. "We don't have time for this."

"Make time," Saphira told her.

Freya showed them a dreamcatcher. "Fine. I saw it in this. A dreamcatcher."

"Aunt Freya, this is dark magic," Rose told her.

"I know, Rose," Freya told her.

"These things catch more than dreams," Saphira told them.

Freya sighed. "I know."

"And you have to wave it over someone to capture a memory," Regina told her.

"I don't," Freya told them. "This dark magic is stronger, more unpredictable than any magic I've ever used. The image just appeared. It showed me what Arthur did to Snow, David, Tori and Mathias. Look, it's gonna be okay. The dreamcatcher also showed me a memory that's going to help us."

"Merlin?" Rose asked. "Cyrus?"

Freya nodded. "I saw them. Merlin and Cyrus wept of the loss of Cyrus's mother moments before the Dark One shed a tear of their own trapped them in the tree and stone using their tears, binding the spells together so that Cyrus can only be released from the stone if Merlin was released from the tree."

"Cilla, that's it," Alcina told her. "Sometimes, spells are like snakebites. You can make the antivenom with the venom. If three tears trapped Merlin and Cyrus, then three more might be able to get them out."

"So what do you say?" Ella asked. "Let's go get ourselves some tears."

ღღ

Stables

Grace and Axel were talking.

"So, how long have you had Nicodemus?" Grace asked.

"My mother gave him to me for my seventh birthday," Axel answered. "She was a champion rider. But, um, she passed away before I even learned to gallop."

"What about the rest of your family?" Grace asked.

Axel sighed, shaking his head. "I don't have much left of any."

Grace looked at him sadly in sympathy. "I'm sorry, Axel. Did you lose them recently?"

Axel nodded. "The most recent I've lost someone was my brother. Last month to the date. Grace, can I tell you something?"

"Of course," Grace answered.

"I mean, your mother's the Dark One," Axel told her. "Your father's the Mad Hatter. Your grandfather used to be the Dark One. Your aunt is the Dark Sorceress, and your adoptive brother and sister are the Dark Being and Light Bringer. You're the Illusionist, Grace. I think if anyone can understand, it's you."

"Axel, what is it?" Grace asked.

Axel sighed heavily in regret and sorrow, shaking his head. "The reason I lost most of my family is because of me. Because I couldn't control myself."

"You have magic?" Grace asked.

"Not magic," Axel answered.

Grace was thinking. "You said last month to the date. Tonight's wolfstime. You're a..."

Axel nodded sadly. "Yeah. My mother, she was the wolf, but she was killed by hunters when I was little. And my family never knew how to help me control what I am, and they were careless, letting me run, and when they did..."

Grace was stunned, but sympathetic. "Axel, I'm sorry. But you know that it's not your fault."

"Isn't it?" Axel asked.

Grace shook her head. "No. The reason why they call me the Illusionist is because I may be the sweetest girl, but I have the deadliest power that can destroy entire kingdoms, and it's nearly impossible for me to control. I know how you feel because I've killed before, even if on accident."

"You have?" Axel asked. Grace nodded in answer. "Do you think you can help me?"

"I think my family, friends and I can help find a way to help you control yourself for tonight's wolfstime," Grace answered. "And any after that."

Axel sighed in relief. "Thank you, Grace."

Grace nodded, taking his hand, leading him with her. "Come on."

"I've never met anyone I could talk to about his before," Axel told her. "No one that I felt comfortable with telling the truth to. So thank you, Grace."

Grace nodded. They both managed small smiles, though Axel was still very nervous.

ღ

Now

Storybrooke

Day - Street

Grace met up with Axel. "Hey, did you see my text about the block party?"

"Oh, yes," Axel answered. "Um..."

"Everything okay?" Grace asked.

"I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for parties," Axel told her. "My horse ran off this morning."

"Oh, no," Grace said. "Did you check the stables?"

Axel sighed. "He's gone. I've been trying to lure Nico with some pumpkin. It's his favorite treat."

"It's okay," Grace told him. "He'll come back. The town isn't that big, and nothing can leave. Maybe tonight will help you get your mind off of it."

Axel was worried about that night, shaking his head. "Grace, I can't go dancing or go to a party or anything. Not while he's still out there."

Grace thought he was just worried about the missing horse when he was actually worried about something else that night as well. "I'm gonna find your horse, Axel, and I know just the people to help."

ღ

Freya's House - Outside

Rose, Lisa and Grace were standing outside, waiting.

Freya walked outside. "Grace? Rose? Lisa?"

"You can keep avoiding us if you want to, Aunt Freya," Rose told her. "But we know that you're avoiding us because you're trying to make sure Blake doesn't lose control when he's around you. And because you think you're gonna hurt me, Henry, Lisa and Grace. But do you remember what brought us all together?"

"Of course," Freya answered. "Operation Cobra. Bring back all the happy endings."

"Well, your mission isn't over yet," Rose told her.

Freya sighed. "Rose, things are different now."

"They don't have to be," Lisa told her. "Show us that the Freya we know is still in there somewhere."

"She is," Freya told them. "This is me."

"Then prove it," Rose told her. "Help us return Grace's friend Axel's happy ending."

"We can help you fight whatever you're feeling," Lisa told her.

"Please, Mama?" Grace asked.

Freya managed a small smile, nodding.

ღ

Woods

Merida tossed a sword to Gold's feet. "Don't think about running. With that limp, you wouldn't make it 10 feet. Pick up the bloody sword and let's make a hero of you."

"But I--I can barely stand, much less fight someone," Gold told her.

Merida tapped her sword against the ground, putting it back in its sheath, picking up a stick from the ground, breaking off the end of it, walking toward Gold, handing it to him. "Now you can stand. All a man needs is a sword and one good hand. You've got both, so pick it up."

Gold hobbled over to the sword, picking it up. Merida immediately knocked it out of his hand with her sword.

Gold backed away nervously. "Look, t-this is useless. If Cilla wants me to pull Excalibur, then... then let me try. When I fail, she can move on."

"When you fail, there's no moving on," Merida told him. "You turn to dust. Though, I heard what you and Freya were talking about earlier. Everything you did to her and the rest of your family. Maybe you would deserve it."

"What do you care what happens to me?" Gold asked.

"I don't," Merida answered. "I care what happens to me, and my brothers and my kingdom. None of which I can help while this goes on, so whether you like it or not, you're going to get me home."

Gold shook his head. "I can never be brave."

Merida scoffed. "Me whole fate rests in a coward's hands. It's really come to this? Yes, you will be. You have to."

"You have the wrong man," Gold told her.

"Well, if words won't drive you, we'll have to figure another way, now won't we?" Merida asked. "There has to be something, and I'm gonna find it."

Merida knocked Gold out with the hilt of her sword, making him fall.

ღღ

Freya's House - Outside

Freya was talking to Lisa, Grace and Rose. "So, Axel's horse likes pumpkin, huh?"

"Yeah," Rose answered. "Axel is out trying to lure it with some."

"There could be a better way at finding him," Freya told them.

Lisa smiled. "I missed this. Us. Operation Cobra."

Rose nodded in agreement. "Me too."

Freya smirked, looking at Grace slyly. "So, tell me about you and Axel."

"He's okay," Grace answered. "We liked some of the same stuff."

"Like what?" Rose asked.

"We talked about dancing, and I showed him a couple songs," Grace answered.

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about this Axel, would you, Freya?" Lisa asked.

Freya sighed. "Maybe a little."

"What do you know?" Lisa asked.

"I know that Axel was drawn to my little daughter here even over in Camelot," Freya answered. Grace looked at her in surprise. "Oh, yeah. And Axel has this other side to him that you need to relearn on your own."

"Okay," Rose told them. "Let's get Axel's horse. I have a good idea where to start."

ღ

Street

Faye, Blake and Henry were walking along, looking for Axel.

"Well, Lisa, Rose and Grace are asking Aunt Freya for help," Henry told them. "Where's Axel? I thought he would be here."

Blake looked around, seeing Axel trying to find his horse, smirking. "Well, well, the girls may not be here, but lover boy is."

Blake started to walk over to Axel.

Faye stopped him. "Uh-uh. What are you gonna do?"

Blake turned to face them, walking backward, shrugging, smirking. "I just wanna go talk to Axel about Grace, so don't ruin my buzz, Faye."

"Would you please be nice to Axel?" Henry asked.

"Aren't I always nice to everyone?" Blake asked.

"Do you want me to answer that honestly, Blake?" Faye asked.

Blake smirked sarcastically, appearing next to Axel, startling him.

"If you're trying to scare me, I'm not easily scared," Axel told him.

"Really?" Faye asked sarcastically.

"You're Blake, right?" Axel asked. "The Dark Being. Grace's adopted brother. Which makes her Faye, the daughter to the Wicked Witch, Tori and Mathias Matthews, sister to Saphira Mathias, otherwise known as Fatale. Niece to the Dark Sorceress and Evil Queen. And since Alcina is Grace's aunt, and you're her niece, you decided to come here for Grace, too."

Faye smirked. "Our reputation precedes us. Great. And you're a smart boy."

"Are you here with Grace?" Axel asked.

"No, actually, we came here to talk to you," Blake answered.

"About?" Axel asked.

Henry approached them. "Grace. You know, my cousin. Even though Blake's not her real brother, he still loves her no less, and since Faye is also Aunt Ally's niece, yeah, I guess you could say she is getting protective over Grace."

"And since you know my reputation as Fatale, you know how much I would make you regret it if you hurt her," Faye told him.

"I think Grace can take care of herself," Axel told them.

Blake chuckled. "Oh, she can, trust me, but she doesn't have to, and she is too good to actually hurt anyone. Us on the other hand, we have no problem on doing it."

Henry sighed. "Blake, Faye, I thought you were going to be nice."

"Blake said he was going to be nice," Faye corrected. "I never made such promise."

"And you are?" Axel asked. "You said you were Grace's cousin, but didn't say your name."

"Henry," Henry answered. "I'm protective over Grace, too."

Blake narrowed his eyes at Axel. "But he is too kind and all that to threaten anyone, and that is why he has his best friend and his adoptive cousin Faye do it."

"You don't have to worry about me," Axel told them. "I'll never hurt Grace."

"I hope you don't," Faye told him, letting her eyes turn Dragon yellow. "'Cause you really don't wanna piss off a Siren Dragon and Dark Being."

Blake smirked, impressed, standing, pulling Faye back a bit. "You'll have to excuse Faye, she is a little insane, but this is one of the rare moments I will have to agree with her, but I won't let her lose control of insanity."

Faye smirked, rolling her eyes. "That was almost sweet, Blake."

Henry rolled his eyes, pulling Faye and Blake away. "Come on, let's go now."

Axel watched them go, rolling his eyes slightly, sighing, walking along.

ღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Day - Woods

Henry was in the woods, trying to practice with a sword, failing, swinging in another way.

Blake appeared behind him, using his staff to block the sword. "What are you doing, little believer?"

Henry shrugged. "Nothing, just practicing."

"Since when do you practice with a sword?" Blake asked.

"Since I realized that I'm not doing anything and thought that maybe if I became a knight, I could help more," Henry answered.

"Why the hell would you wanna become a knight, who are battle servants with a title?" Blake asked.

"They fight battles and save people," Henry answered. "That's why I wanna do it."

Blake chuckled. "You're so much more than some wannabe knight; you're the Truest Believer."

"You really think so?" Henry asked.

"Yeah, and you already saved more people than you know," Blake answered. "I mean, you saved me when I lost my mother, and when the Queens of bad decisions and gin came to Storybrooke, I was messed up and awful to you, but you went out of your way to help me and you gave me something that I never thought I would have, a best friend."

Henry smiled. "Thanks, Blake, but you weren't that awful."

Blake scoffed. "Yeah, I was, since I threw you into the mansion pool twice."

Henry laughed a little. "Yeah, but I kinda needed it one of those times, because those edgier dark clothes looked awful on me."

Blake laughed. "Yeah, they did, so don't ever put something like that on again, okay?"

"I won't," Henry promised.

Blake held out his hand for a handshake, but Henry pulled him in for a hug.

Blake was amused. "Whoa, whoa, since when do we hug."

"Since now, so shut up," Henry answered. Blake scoffed, rolling his eyes, smiling, giving in, returning the hug. "You do realize that all of our emotional bro talks have been in the woods, right?"

"That's because you're weird," Blake told him. They laughed, pulling away. Blake conjured a sword in his hand, spinning it around. "Now, if you really wanna learn how to use a sword and doing it as who you really are, little believer, not another random knight, I'm going to teach you."

Henry smiled excitedly. "Let's do it."

"On mark," Blake told him.

They counted with their fingers to three, starting to practice.

ღ

Garden

In the garden, Grace had come to tell Freya, Emma, Ella, Regina, Lisa, Rose, Saphira and Alcina about Axel.

"Wait," Alcina told her. "Slow down. What? So Axel is a werewolf?"

"I'm sorry," Saphira told them. "I'm lost. Rewind. Someone explain. Who the hell is Axel?"

"Grace's crush," Alcina answered.

"So Axel needs our help because his werewolf side is the reason why he lost his family," Ella told them. "Because he lost control of himself. His entire family?"

Emma sighed. "That poor kid. Well, don't worry, Grace. We'll find a way to help Axel. I mean, Ruby. Red Riding Hood. She lost control of herself on wolfstime too. She killed people she loved."

"What about a hood like what Red wore?" Alcina asked. "You think we could make something like that for Axel?"

"I don't see why not," Regina answered. "It'll get him under control. Axel won't have to kill anyone else. Because he won't have to turn."

"And maybe..." Saphira trailed off. "Just maybe we can keep Camelot from finding out his secret. We can keep Axel safe. 'Cause I doubt that people would be welcome to a werewolf in this kingdom."

"Especially not tonight," Ella agreed. "I mean, tonight's the full moon. Which is what we're hoping could fuel our power in helping us release Cyrus and Merlin."

"What if Freya made it?" Emma asked.

"Emma--" Ella started.

"Freya's the only one with that kind of knowledge, Ella," Emma pointed out.

Freya started to walk away.

"Freya?" Ella asked. "What are you doing? If you're gonna make something for Axel, don't. We have got that covered."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Freya told them sarcastically. "Do any of you know a spell that can help suppress Axel's werewolf side? I didn't think so. I do. I can do it."

"Let her do it," Emma told them. "One more little thing won't turn her completely dark."

Grace walked toward Freya worriedly. "Mama, I don't want you doing anything that could make things worse, even if it's for me and Axel."

Freya knelt in front of her. "Grace, you want to help this boy because you like Axel, and you want to stop people from getting hurt. How can I not help with that? I know this magic better than anyone here. I can do it."

Regina realized. "Guys. I think I might know where to get our missing ingredients to free Cyrus and Merlin. From me and Alcina."

ღ

Regina's Room

Regina and Alcina were sitting together. Emma and Ella were sitting in front of them, holding two of Freya's dreamcatchers.

"All right," Ella told them. "Regina, Alcina, this is going to be intense. Last chance to back out."

Alcina shook her head. "We can take it."

Emma sighed. "Look into the circles."

Emma and Ella cast the spell on the dreamcatchers, showing Regina and Alcina their memories of 1.18 The Stable Boy.

"So this is your decision?" Cora asked. "This will make you happy?"

Regina nodded. "It already has."

"Then who am I to stop you?" Cora asked.

Regina and Alcina were surprised and relieved by this response, embracing Cora. "Thank you, Mother."

"Daniel, Rave," Cora told them, pulling them aside. "If you want to have a life together with my daughters, then there's one important lesson I can impart on you. It's what it means to be a parent. You always have to do what's best for your children."

Rave nodded. "Thank you. We understand. Because that's what you're doing now."

Cora smirked. "Yes, it is."

Cora plunged her hands into Daniel and Rave's chests, making them gasp in agony.

Regina and Alcina tried to stop her. "Mother!" Cora pulled out her hands, clutching their hearts. Daniel and Rave fell to the ground. "No!"

Cora crushed their hearts.

Now, Regina and Alcina were crying from watching their memories.

"I'm sorry," Emma told them.

Alcina could not look at them, turning away.

Regina sobbed. "It was like it was happening all over again."

Emma and Ella caught the tears from Regina and Alcina. Alcina was deeply disturbed, wiping the rest of her tears away.

"Got it," Emma told them. "Thank you."

"I didn't know how things were for any of you," Ella admitted. "I didn't know."

"You could see them, too?" Regina asked.

Ella and Emma nodded.

"I'm so sorry," Emma told them. "I don't understand how a mother could do something like that."

Regina scoffed. "Alcina's and my mother thought it was for the best. At least our parents were better than Freya's, though Ally does share a father with her. Milah left Freya and Neal because she wasn't in love with Gold. And Gold killed Milah in front of Freya because she was trying to save her from the monster he had become. Not to mention everything Gold did to Freya, Jefferson, Grace, Lisa, Blake and Alcina recently."

ღ

Now

Storybrooke

Day - Freya's House - Outside

Regina, Alcina, Jefferson, Saphira, Tori and Mathias walked up to the house.

Cyrus was already there on the porch. "Show time. Rose tells me she, Lisa and Grace have Freya occupied."

"You told Rose what we're doing?" Jefferson asked.

"No, but she'll let me know when Freya's headed back," Cyrus answered. "Luckily, I gave Rose a magically enchanted object that could let her help me know when she will be back."

"All right," Mathias told them. "Let's do this."

Cyrus tried to open the door, but was repelled by magic.

"You okay?" Tori asked.

"Protection spell," Cyrus told them.

"It would appear she doesn't want trespassers," Mathias told them.

"You want to try, Jefferson?" Tori asked.

"Well, I know she doesn't want me to," Jefferson told them. "But Grace, Blake and Lisa. Henry and Rose. Cilla would let one of them in. I don't have anything of theirs on me."

Regina conjured Henry's scarf into her hand. "But I do now." She used the scarf to open the door, chuckling. "Thank you, Henry. You're our hero."

ღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Night - Tower

Faye was sitting alone, having a vulnerable moment when she was all alone. Blake walked in, seeing Faye sitting there, seeing that she wasn't in the best mood, not knowing what to do.

Faye knew he was there, a little annoyed. "Are you just gonna stand there like a moron?"

Blake rolled his eyes. "Damn Dragon hearing. What's wrong, insanity lollipop?"

"Nothing," Faye told him.

"Really, Faye, lying?" Blake asked sarcastically.

Faye rolled her eyes. "What, you want to hear me say I'm not okay? I'm not. I think I'm never going to be okay again."

"What happened?" Blake asked.

"What do you think happened?" Faye replied. "This whole thing with Derek's child and Mama's whole thing of creating another me inside of the original 'science project'. You call me that like it's not big deal, when you don't even realize that having Derek's kid like this could kill me."

Blake felt guilty for always running her down now. "Faye--"

"How do you deal with it?" Faye asked. "I mean, your mother controlled you and used you to try to kill everyone that you call family and friends, and yet you never turned your back on her."

"That wasn't my mother," Blake told her.

"What do you mean?" Faye asked.

Blake sighed. "That was the Snow Queen, who suffered a lot and she thought nobody loved her, who separated her children so she could try to stop the chaotic parts of our powers, and she accidentally killed her sister, then watched me get locked away in an urn by her other sister, who then also locked her away in another urn."

"But she made you try and kill everyone, and then she turned around and sacrificed herself to save everyone," Faye told him. "That doesn't make you angry?"

"Of course it did, and sometimes it still does," Blake answered.

"Then how can you still love her like that no matter what?" Faye asked.

"There were times after she died that when I was losing control because of the Queens of Darkness in town, that I wished so much that she hadn't sacrificed herself just so that she could be there to hug me and tell me I was going to be okay," Blake told her.

"What changed your mind?" Faye asked. "I mean, what made you let go of that anger?"

"I just had to remember that is not who I am, not to let everyone else die, and that what happened wasn't my mother," Blake answered. "I mean, my mother would have burned the whole world down for me and my sister, and I love her so much, but at the end, she died for us, and she was made into a hero like that."

Faye nodded, looking away. "Lucky you. My mother's never been a hero. She cursed me like this, with Derek's kid, another science project that would try to defeat Saphira and Derek once and for all, but she did it because she wants to punish me for trying to have a family with Saphira, Tori, Mathias and Aunt Belle, and Aunt Ally and Aunt Gina. She knows I could die giving birth to Derek's child, and it's like she doesn't even care."

Blake took her hand, as if he didn't know that he did it, and Faye, as if out of instinct, held it tight.

"I think she does care, I think she was just hurt that you wanted to have a family with the people that she raised you to want to kill," Blake told her. "You still love Zelena, anyone can tell that, but no one would blame you if you can't forgive her, but you should tell her that, and tell her that the person you were that hurt people, that's not who you are anymore, and she needs to understand and move on from that, otherwise she is going to lose the chance to know the person you are trying to become, and the person you're trying to raise your and Derek's child to be, and I mean, yeah, you're still a little insane obviously." Faye scoffed a little. "But she doesn't totally suck."

Faye looked at him with a little shock, nodding. "Thanks, Blake, but your mother, the real her, she was always better than my mother ever was, and at the end, she did the right thing and undid all the wrong she did, and that's very badass and heroic, and I wish that my mother could finally be like that."

Blake looked at her with a little shock. "Thanks, insanity lollipop, but maybe your mother can get there someday."

Faye was fighting back tears, hiding them with her hair so he wouldn't see. "You know, this doesn't change anything, Blaky boy. We'll still fight a little, right?"

Blake scoffed. "So glad you know that, Faye." They looked at each other, smiling slightly, still not having let go of their hands. Blake got an idea, using magic to catch one of Faye's tears. "But in case something goes wrong with the spell the girls are working on, maybe your tear can help us. Looks like you're finally becoming a hero after all, Fatale."

Faye chuckled lightly.

ღღ

Now

Storybrooke

Day - Town Hall - Mayor's Office

Merida slammed the Once Upon a Time book onto the desk, turning the pages to Rumple's story, reading about him, Freya/Priscilla, Neal/Baelfire, Belle, etc, finding something she knew would work, smirking.

ღ

Gold's Pawnshop

Merida used her bow and arrow to break open the door, making her way inside, looking around. "There we go. That'll do."

Having what she came for, Merida left.

ღ

Peter's Pumpkin Stand

Freya, Grace, Lisa and Rose arrived.

"Freya, this is genius," Lisa told her.

Freya looked around, smirking slightly. "Yeah, when the first Curse ended, this Peter guy opened this place. I wouldn't have known about it, but it got so many noise complaints to the station when I was working with Emma, Ella and David. Guess 'Peter Peter' likes his parties. Hadn't thought of it till you mentioned the pumpkins, though."

They found Nicodemus munching on pumpkins.

"Axel wasn't kidding," Lisa told them. "Look."

Rose smiled. "Would you look at that? come on."

When Freya walked closer, Nicodemus shied away.

"Careful, girls," Freya told them. "I got this."

"Mama, I guess you need to stop back and let us handle this," Grace told her.

"I didn't do anything," Freya told them.

"You're the Dark One," Lisa told her. "Please get back."

Freya sighed, backing away. "Girls..."

"It's okay," Rose told her. "We got it."

Lisa inched up to the horse to calm him down. "It's okay, Nicodemus. Come here, boy. It's okay, Nicodemus. Come here, boy. Come here. Yeah. Here you go."

The three girls lured the horse in by holding pumpkin toward its mouth while getting hold of the reigns.

"There you go," Rose told them. "See? Told you."

Freya chuckled. "Now that you've got Axel's horse, don't you have a dance to get to? Oh, and Grace." She pulled out a bracelet, handing it to Grace. "Give this to Axel."

"What is it?" Grace asked.

Rose chuckled. "Your mother's offering you something to give to your crush. I wouldn't question that kindness right now. I would just give it to Axel."

Lisa gave her a look. "Rose."

Freya shook her head. "No, it's okay. Let's get you guys going."

Lisa, Grace and Rose nodded.

As they walked away, Rose stayed behind, taking out the device Cyrus gave her, whispering a spell into it, breathing her words in a sigh. "Cyrus. Cyrus. Cyrus."

ღ

Freya's House - Basement

The group made their way down, seeing Excalibur in the stone.

"Now we know why she didn't want Jefferson down here," Tori told them.

"Indeed," Cyrus agreed. "She wouldn't want anyone to see this. And I know the reason why. Take a gander. Excalibur looks quite familiar to you lot, doesn't it?"

"The dagger," Mathias realized. "It's the same design. The same edges."

"What the hell does Freya want with this?" Tori asked. "And with Gold. What is she up to?"

"Well, your Gold's heart should be a blank slate," Cyrus explained. "I'd wager that whatever Freya is planning on doing, she's trying to make herself a hero to pull the sword from the stone."

"But why?" Jefferson asked.

"Well, given our missing memories, I think whatever it is, it's not good," Saphira told them. "Let's take a better look at the damn thing and find out."

Saphira reached for the sword's hilt.

"Stop!" Regina told her. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but it could be booby trapped. You could get killed."

Saphira smirked. "Oh. I didn't know you cared."

"I don't, but you're usually useful," Regina told her.

Saphira smirked sarcastically, nodding. "Wow, Regina, what great compliment."

"Any person who tries to remove the sword from the stone and doesn't have the heart of a hero could die," Cyrus explained. "So no one try that again."

Alcina saw robes nearby on the grate. "He was here. Rumple was here."

"And now he's gone," Jefferson told them. "Well, if Cilla was planning on turning Rumple into a hero and making him suffer while doing it, couldn't say I blame her."

Tori gave him a look. "Jefferson. You don't mean that."

Jefferson scoffed. "Maybe I do. I'm sorry, Tori. But after everything he did... can you blame me?"

"I'm fairly certain that is just the madness inside you talking," Mathias told him. "We're gonna help you fight it off. Let's try searching the rest of the house."

Cyrus sensed something. "No time. That was Rose giving me a message over the magical device I gave her. Freya's on her way back."

ღ

Upstairs

Everyone was heading out the door, but Mathias saw something in the living room, walking over to a dream catcher.

"Hey," Tori told him. "Mathias. What are you doing?"

Jefferson was standing behind them, not seeing what Mathias was looking at. "What the hell is that?"

"It's a dreamcatcher," Mathias answered.

Hearing this, Jefferson walked closer. "Cilla and Bae used to make those."

"Wait a minute," Alcina told them. "Why would she have a dreamcatcher?"

"Because they can be more than just objects of folklore," Cyrus answered. "When imbued with magic, they can be quite powerful. I think I know how Freya took our memories."

Cyrus held up the dreamcatcher in front of him.

ღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Night - Garden

Freya, Emma, Ella, Regina, Lisa, Rose, Grace, Saphira and Alcina were standing at the tree and stone. Blake ran up to them, holding up a vial.

"Faye's tear?" Emma asked. Blake nodded. "In case these don't work. Well, at least you had a backup plan for one tear, Blake."

"Come on," Ella told them. "Arthur could be here any second." She was pouring Regina and Alcina's tears into the magic solution. "And now for the final ingredients. The tears."

The potion poofed, smoked, and then the smoke went back into the pot.

"It would've worked," Alcina told them. "It should've worked."

"Alcina, it's simple," Emma told her. "Your heartbreak and Regina's weren't strong enough."

Regina and Alcina scoffed. "What?"

"No, no, we know it was real," Saphira told them. "But there's Robin and Emma now. You've both moved on. You've healed." She took the vial with Faye's tear in it from Blake. "But Faye hasn't after what Zelena did to her. Her tear could work. We just need one more."

"Two more," Rose corrected. "Remember the Dark One used their own tear along with Cyrus and Merlin's... We have to be on the safe side."

"Not to mention that Faye's tear isn't about loss," Emma agreed. "It's about betrayal."

Jefferson led Faye and Axel closer. "Hey."

Axel nodded. "Hey, sorry I'm late, but I was making sure that the stables were ready to hold me for whenever wolfstime hits. Jefferson and Faye were helping me."

"Don't worry about that, Axel," Ella told him. "Freya made you a bracelet that can help you control the shifts."

Jefferson gave Freya a look. "You did what?"

Freya sighed. "Thanks, Ella."

"I convinced her to go through with it, Jefferson," Emma explained. "She knew more about suppressing Axel's wolf side than anyone."

"Not to mention you're the one that basically emotionally blackmailed her into using the dreamcatchers to find out what we needed to know in the first place," Alcina told her.

Saphira realized something. "Wait. Axel, you said that you lost control of yourself on full moons and people were hurt because of it. I'm sorry, but can you tell us what happened? We really need these tears for the spell."

Axel took a deep breath, sighing, giving in, nodding, scared of what they would think of him. "During one of my first full moons, I lost control. I got out." When Grace held up the dreamcatcher in front of him, she hesitated about showing him the memory, but since Axel nodded and told her to, Grace reluctantly showed him the memory of Wolf!Axel breaking free and tearing his family apart. Axel was near tears as he was explaining to the others. "My brother and father, they tried to help me, and they didn't want me to do something I would regret, but I was too much for them. I broke free." The others knew where this was headed, very sympathetic and sad for him. "And... I killed them. I didn't mean to, but I did. I don't even remember any of it. I just woke up the day after. I was covered in blood. Their bodies were next to me... ripped apart. It wasn't that long ago, but long enough. And I've never been able to live a day without being able to get past it. I'm not a hero like any of you. I'm just... a monster."

Grace shook her head worriedly in sympathy. "You're not a monster, Axel." She used a vial to capture Axel's tear. "And you may not think you're a hero in your mind, but you will be in mine tonight. This will work. This tear. Your tear, Axel."

"It can free Merlin and Cyrus?" Axel asked.

"It can certainly help," Blake answered. "You can help us save Freya, Axel."

"Faye and Axel's tears might not be enough," Emma told them. "We need to make sure this spell will work."

"What are you suggesting?" Lisa asked.

"There's one person among us that has centuries worth of loss and heartbreak and she may have gotten over some of it before, but the darkness and madness are making her live through it every day all over again," Emma told them. "We need something to get Freya's tear."

Ella gave her a look. "Emma. No."

"What choice do we have?" Regina asked.

Alcina was worried, giving her sister a look. "Regina. She--"

"We don't have time to argue this, Ally," Regina pointed out. "Arthur's men are coming."

Jefferson shook his head worriedly. "No."

"Do you want Merlin and Cyrus out to save Freya or not, Jefferson?" Regina asked.

Lisa turned to her. "Regina. Enough. This could set her off."

"Aunt Freya?" Rose asked worriedly.

"They're right, you know," Faye told them. "We don't have time. And I don't think my tear is suited for something like this. It's about my mother betraying me. It's not about loss like the loss Freya's been through."

"We can still use your tear, Faye," Saphira told her. "And Axel's."

"And Freya's," Ella told them.

Axel was listening to the sounds of knights getting closer. "We might want to decide soon. Arthur and his men are almost here."

"We're running out of time, Freya," Regina told her.

Freya knew they had no time to lose, giving in, scared about what could happen but knowing that they had to do this. "Do it."

Ella was showing Freya her memories of 2.04 The Crocodile, along with the visions that Gold had forced upon Freya, Jefferson and Grace in 4.17 Best Laid Plans.

Milah knelt in front of her daughter. "What do you want to know, Cilla?"

"How could you leave me and Bae?" Young Priscilla asked. "Do you know what it was like to hear Papa walking home..."

Milah sighed in deep regret. "Priscilla..."

"And having to tell me and Bae that our mother was dead?" Young Priscilla asked.

"I was wrong," Milah admitted. "I was the coward. I knew that now."

"You left us," Young Priscilla told her sadly in betrayal. "You abandoned us."

Milah had tears in her eyes, shaking her head. "And there's not a day that goes by that I don't feel sorry for that, Cilla."

Young Priscilla was trying not to cry. "You let us go."

"I let my misery cloud my judgment," Milah told her. "Priscilla, I'm so sorry. I'll never leave you again. I can make it up to you. If you want to leave here with us... then you can. Please. I can't abandon you to a monster like your father now, Cilla."

Infuriated by this now more than ever since Milah had called him a monster and was trying to take his daughter away from him, Rumple reached into Milah's chest to pull out her heart.

Young Priscilla was in shock, horrified. "Mama! Papa, no!"

Milah looked at Killian and Young Priscilla sadly in devastation and regret. "I love you."

Mathias turned Young Priscilla away to hide her eyes from the sight against his side as Rumplestiltskin crushed Milah's heart into dust, killing her.

Young Priscilla, pulling away from Mathias protecting her from the sight of her father killing her mother, started to cry, kneeling next to her mother's body. "No." She looked up at her father in betrayal, anger. "You may be more powerful now, Papa, but you're no less a coward."

Now, Freya was deeply disturbed, tears falling. Everyone was horrified by everything they had seen, not just of Milah's murder in front of Freya, but of the visions that Gold had tormented his family with.

Alcina was very worried. "Cilla..." She used a vial to catch Freya's tear. Freya turned away. Jefferson held her in an embrace to help her calm down. Freya let Alcina hold one of her hands because Ally didn't want to do it this way but they hadn't had a choice. "I'm so sorry."

"Are you okay?" Ella asked. Freya didn't look at them. Arthur and his knights arrived. "Freya. Start the spell."

Freya put the spell together.

"Stop!" Arthur told them. "Stay away from the tree and stone. I won't ask twice. You and your people have done nothing but lie to me ever since you got here. We're stopping you right now."

"Go ahead," Alcina told him. "Try to. See what happens."

"Come for us," Saphira told them. "I dare you."

"We welcomed you, celebrated you, and in return, you bring the Dark One into the heart of my kingdom, endangering all who live here," Arthur told them. "Give me the dagger!"

"You want it?" Lisa asked. "Come and get it."

"Aunt Freya, now," Rose told her.

Freya added the tears. Faye, Regina, Alcina and Saphira used their powers to keep Arthur and his knights away. Ella, Rose and Emma used their magic, gold for Ella and Emma and rose red for Rose, swirling around them, to shoot at the stone that trapped Cyrus. Lisa, Blake and Grace used their magic, white for Lisa, black for Blake, and light purple for Grace, swirling around them, to shoot at the tree that trapped Merlin. The power of the spell Freya had cast released more power that helped them with the spell.

"It's working," Emma told them.

Axel looked up at the moon in the sky. "It's wolfstime."

Axel looked at the bracelet in his hand, knowing that with it now, he could use it transform and still remain in control, transforming into his wolf form, lunging at all the knights, fighting them off viciously but still in control, not killing anyone, but injuring some. The spell ended, releasing Merlin and Cyrus. The tree faded from around Merlin. The stone shattered away from Cyrus, freeing him.

Cyrus pulled back his hood. "We've been waiting for you."

Rose was stunned but completely relieved they had done it.

ღღ

Merlin looked at Arthur. "And you, the boy who would be king. Our great hope. How you've disappointed me and Cyrus."

"I disappointed you?" Arthur repeated in a demand. "You gave me false prophecies. Sent me on an impossible quest! You ruined my life!"

"Put it away, Arthur," Cyrus told him. "We all know that broken sword can't hurt us."

Arthur glared at them all furiously. "This is not finished."

Freya was breathing heavily, completely overwhelmed and near insanity, turning away.

"Freya?" Jefferson asked worriedly.

"I just need a moment," Freya told them, walking away.

The others exchanged a look.

ღ

Castle - Corridor

Freya walked into the corridor, leaning against the wall.

Rumplestiltskin appeared. "And seeing something like that all over again makes me wonder how you can still pass up the opportunity of getting your revenge on your father, even after all of the other horrible things he has done."

Freya glared at him, lashing out violently with magic to make him disappear. "Go away."

Freya's head felt like it was on fire due to the darkness and madness, making her hold her head in absolute pain.

Outside, Jefferson could feel the pain as well inside his own head, holding it, in just as much mental pain, becoming even more worried. "Cilla."

ღ

Now

Storybrooke

Night - Harvest Festival

Killian, Tori and Mathias were talking to Cyrus.

Arthur overheard them, walking closer. "She had Excalibur?"

"Trapped in a stone in her basement," Killian answered.

"Well, then we need to get it back at once," Arthur told them. "It would be disastrous if the Dark One took possession of it."

"That have anything anything to do with its striking resemblance to the Dark One dagger?" Killian asked.

"How do you know about the dagger?" Arthur asked.

"You mean besides my brother-in-law used to have that dagger, and now my step niece does?" Tori asked sarcastically. "We've been speaking with Cyrus."

"And I've spent a life trying to end the crocodile's existence," Killian added. "I know much about the dagger. What I don't know about is your blade. Care to enlighten us?"

"Yes," Cyrus answered. "There's a reason they resemble each other. They were forged as one weapon and then broken in two."

"I've spent years trying to reunite them," Arthur told them.

Mathias nodded. "That's why you were so interested in the dagger when you arrived."

Arthur sighed. "I apologize for not telling you sooner, but I had to make sure I could trust you."

"The restored weapon has great power," Cyrus told them. "It can eradicate all dark magic forever."

"That's a good thing," Mathias told him.

Cyrus nodded in agreement. "Of course. But in the wrong hands, it can also destroy all light magic."

"That's her plan," Killian told them. "To snuff out the light forever."

"That would hurt Lisa," Mathias told them. "She's pure light. And we all know that even as a Dark One, Freya would never hurt her."

"It's all right here in front of you, Mathias," Killian told him. "What more do you need?"

"Proof," Tori answered. "Whatever happened in Camelot, it drove Freya insane. But I don't believe she would go through all of this to hurt everyone she loves."

ღ

Main Street

Since it was almost the full moon, Axel was trying to make his leave before he could turn. Grace found him, riding up to him with the horse.

"Grace?" Axel asked. "Grace, you did it."

Grace smiled, dismounting. "It was nothing, Axel."

Axel chuckled. "Heroic and humble and powerful. You're inspiring, Grace."

Grace smiled, handing him the bracelet Freya had made and given to her earlier. "Here, this is from my mother. She told me to give you this."

Grace took his wrist to put the bracelet on.

Axel smiled slightly. "Thank you, but I should be getting going. It's..." He felt the change on his body now that he was no longer forced to go through the transformation, looking up to see the full moon hit its apex, stunned. "It's fine."

"Axel?" Grace asked.

Axel was processing. "I think your mother might know something about me I didn't think anyone did in this town. I must have told you and your family back in Camelot."

"Well, my mother did say that we were close in Camelot, and she said that there was a different side of you, so it's a possibility," Grace told him.

Axel chuckled. "Grace... there's something I have to tell you."

Grace nodded understanding, waiting patiently.

ღ

Woods

Merida woke up Gold. "Well, glad to see the bears didn't get ya."

Gold was shaking from the cold. "Please, please, I--I can't fight."

"No, you won't fight," Merida corrected. "Big difference. You know, my father used to say, 'if you want a lad to fight, give him something to fight for."

Merida knelt in front of Gold, placing the tip of her sword against his chin.

"What are you doing?" Gold asked.

Merida took out the chipped teacup. "Reminding you what you have to fight for."

"Where did you get that?" Gold asked.

"Oh, means something to you, doesn't it?" Merida asked. "If you want it, you're gonna have to fight." She threw him a sword. Gold threw the sword away, reaching for the cup. Merida kicked out his staff and legs. "Oh, I see it's chipped, eh? Oh, must be fragile. We wouldn't want to drop it, now would we?"

"No, please," Gold begged. "Please don't. Please."

"So what happened?" Merida asked. "Did your Belle see the yellow bellied man you really are? Just like your family did. I bet she did, too, didn't she? That had to sting. Freya was right about you. You are the real coward. And after hearing about everything you've done, after seeing your story, it's no wonder why that insane woman's fallen this far."

Gold pushed himself up. "'That insane woman' is still my daughter."

"You didn't care she was your daughter when you were the Dark One torturing your family," Merida replied. "Your other daughter Alcina and your granddaughter Grace. Your son in law Jefferson. Belle's family, too. Tori, Saphira, Mathias, even Faye. All so you could get what you wanted from Lisa and Blake. You want to make up for it? Then pick up the bloody sword and fight to make up for it. Because that's the only way you're going to get your family and your wife back." Gold attacked Merida with the sword. "Oh, did you feel that?"

"Feel what?" Gold asked.

"That swing right there," Merida answered. "You weren't thinking of yourself or the limp. You were thinking of them. That was an act of true bravery. Ready to try again?" Gold continued to try to fight weakly. "Good. Because we've got a long way to go before you're ready to take on Freya."

ღ

Rooftop

Saphira flew herself and Derek up to the rooftop.

"Why'd you bring me here, Saphira?" Derek asked.

"Well, there's a harvest festival down there, but we never got to have our dance," Saphira answered. "I figured that this would be a good place to have a dance."

Derek smiled. "Okay. What about the music?"

"I have my own music, Derek," Saphira told him, starting to sing to prove her point.

Derek chuckled. Saphira took his hand. He pulled her close, starting the slow, beautiful dance step by step, as they circled each other. Derek took her by the waist to lift her above his head and spin her around, lowering her, as they circled each other again, before he lifted her above his head once more, placing her down, spinning her around. They sat on a bench, looking at each other. Derek circled around her to sit on the other side of her, and she did the same to him, as he spun her around as she did so, standing, spinning her around while she was sitting down, sitting with her again to hold her from behind. They both stood, up on the bench, stepping from behind him to behind her, still dancing carefully. He spun her around, jumping down. As Saphira raised her arms like wings, he took her by the waist, lowering her in front of him into a dip, taking her in his arms to spin her around, placing her down. Saphira left her hand on his neck, while he left his on her waist, still dancing, circling each other, spinning around the other. As she leaned back into his arm, she swayed her head and arms around beautifully, wrapping her arms around his neck as they went back to dancing. They ran down the edge of skylights to meet each other on the other side to meet in a more fast paced dance, but still beautiful and intimate. Saphira stepped up onto a landing, leaning over to place her hands on his shoulders with her leg raised behind her, and Derek spun her around while she stayed in place, lifting her up in his arms to spin her around, placing her down. And rain started to pour. As they spun around to enjoy the rain, Derek had his hands on her waist, and she had her head tilted back toward the sky, arms raised at her sides. They continued to dance as the rain poured. Derek spun her around, and they circled around each other, with her hands on his neck. They looked up at the sky as it poured rain, laughing, smiling, looking at each other, kissing passionately.

ღღ

Six Weeks Ago

Camelot

Day - Granny's Diner

Everyone was gathered, as Merlin and Cyrus did the spell that released Snow, David, Mathias and Tori from the sand spell.

"There," Merlin told them. "That should do it."

"Freya?" Snow asked. "We're so sorry."

"If we would have known how bad Arthur was, we never would have confronted him on our own," David told her.

"It's okay now," Henry told them. "I'm just glad Merlin and Cyrus could help."

"Merlin and Cyrus?" David repeated. "This is Cyrus and Merlin?"

"Expecting people..." Merlin trailed off.

"Older," David told them.

Cyrus shrugged. "Yes. Well, let's just say that being a tree or stone? Good for your skin."

"Well, now that the great sorcerers are among us, maybe they'll tell us," Derek told them. "Can you do what the Apprentice said? Can you free Freya from the darkness?"

"Sure," Merlin answered. "But with a caveat. Darkness like this takes a hold of a person, find its way deep inside, where nobody else can see. And from what we know, there is already a lot of madness inside of you, Freya, something that the darkness can attach itself to and take hold. And not just of you, but of Jefferson as well. So if Cyrus and I are to free you from its grasp, we must know one thing. Freya, is your heart truly ready to be free? Because it is as much up to you as me and Cyrus."

ღ

Outside

Freya was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, holding her head in complete pain.

Jefferson ran toward her, pausing when she jumped. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Freya was nearly crying. Jefferson walked closer worriedly, holding her arms in his hands. "Cilla, talk to me. Whatever you felt, I felt. I feel it, too. What Faye, Emma and Regina convinced you into doing, it could have driven you completely insane."

"It almost did," Freya admitted. "I felt it. They just kept saying they needed the tear, and--" Angry, Jefferson turned to go confront the others, but Freya stopped him. "Jefferson, don't. It's not worth it."

"Your sanity is most definitely worth it," Jefferson told her.

"What about yours?" Freya replied. "I've had to do things that made mine worse. I don't want the same for you."

Jefferson placed a hand on her head to hopefully take some of the pain. "Cilla."

Freya backed away. "Don't."

"What?" Jefferson asked, realizing. "You're still worried about what the illusion of your father said. That the darkness could get to me through the shared madness."

"It's already getting to you, Jefferson," Freya corrected. "You're nearly as angry and violent as I've been. I don't want you to end up like that. You heard Merlin and Cyrus. They said that it could get to you, too. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we both get out of this. Even if I'm the one that has to lose my mind."

Jefferson pulled her into a gentle, relaxing, comforting embrace. "It's not gonna come to that."

Freya returned the embrace, gazing off, looking numb, dark, and already on the verge of breaking.