Flashback 1

Enchanted Forest

Day - Ocean Side

Tori was walking along the cliff above the sea. She heard mermaids singing while trying to lure a ship to its death in the rocks ahead, sighing in annoyance. "Really?"

Tori sang in a reverse tone to save the sailor on the boat from being killed, freeing him from the mermaid's control. The ship still crashed and the sailor on it was thrown into the sea. Tori was about to dive off the cliff into the water to help the sailor when knights ran closer to aim their swords at Tori. Tori turned to face the knights.

"You're a long way from home, Tori French," Knight 1 told her. "Did you really think you could hide from the Queen and Sorceress here?"

"Actually, yes," Tori answered. "I'm looking for my sister, Belle."

"Well, don't worry," Knight 2 told her. "We're here to take you. The Queen and Sorceress are eager to see you again."

Tori shook her head. "Not gonna happen. I'll find my way to Belle, trust and believe that, but I'm not gonna have much luck saving her if I'm one of the Queen and Sorceress's prisoners, am I?"

Tori started to sing to stop the knights from getting any closer to her, diving into the water below. She looked around underwater, gliding her way up to the top, looking toward the ship that had wrecked, walking along the water to get to the shipwreck quickly, finding the unconscious sailor underwater, bringing him back up to the surface, who gasped for breath in relief as he woke up.

Mathias turned to see Tori. "Thank you."

Tori chuckled. "No problem. You got knocked out in the crash, but... we should probably get out of the water soon. I'm not exactly welcomed in these waters."

"Waters that belong to mermaids, you mean?" Mathias asked. "Yeah, I know of the mermaids."

"Then we should probably go before they try to kill us both," Tori told him. "I have a friend named Ariel. She's a good mermaid. Unlike any other. She can help us get you sent back on your way without worrying about the mermaids."

Mathias chuckled. "Well, thank you, miss. I'm Mathias. Matthews."

Tori smiled. "Hello, Mathias Matthews. I'm Tori. French."

ღ Worlds Colliding (Once Upon a Time) ღ

Now

Neverland

Day One

Night - Island

Freya, Lisa, Alcina, Regina and Saphira were trying to teach Emma and Ella to control their powers.

"Focus," Alcina told them. "Concentrate."

"It's kind of hard when you're talking in our ear," Ella replied.

Freya nodded sarcastically. "And when the wind blows. Or it's raining. Or someone's shooting arrows at you."

Lisa sighed. "Yes. Concentration's hard. That's the point."

"Listen," Saphira told them. "You don't have to use anger to focus your power."

"That's what Freya, Regina, Alcina, Mathias and Saphira were taught to do," Lisa explained.

"But you don't have to," Saphira told them.

"Neither do Grace and Rose," Lisa agreed.

"You can go Lisa's way," Alcina told them. "Use light and love."

"Good," Ella told them. "Because there has to be a way without going dark."

Regina rolled her eyes. "You two are such a pathetic waste of ability."

Emma's irritation flared up. "And you're a monster."

"Smell that?" Regina asked.

"What?" Emma asked.

Regina nodded to the fire Emma had magically started when she got annoyed, smirking smugly. "Smoke."

ღ

Camp

Snow, David, Jefferson, Tori and Mathias were in the camp.

David sighed. "This is a bad idea."

"They have it in them," Snow told him. "They should learn to use it. Just like Rose and Grace. We just have to trust them."

David was talking about Regina. "Yeah. It's not Emma and Ella I don't trust."

Killian walked toward them. "We need to talk." Emma and Saphira walked into the camp. "Pan paid me a visit, and he told me that Neal is alive, that he's on this very island."

Jefferson stood in shock. "Freya saw him. He was shot. He fell through a portal. No one could survive that."

"Well, he did, and now he's here," Killian explained. "He said he took him from this very camp while we were off in his cave."

"According to Pan," Tori told him. "If he's telling the truth."

"And, uh, why would he tell you?" Mathias asked. "What does he hope to gain?"

Killian sighed, shrugging. "Who knows why he does anything? He has his reasons, but it's a sure bet they're not good ones."

Jefferson looked around, seeing marks on the ground, walking toward broken pieces of the camp around. "He's telling the truth. Tracks and a scuffle. Someone was here while we were gone."

Tori closed her eyes. "Emma . Saphira. Where're Freya, Alcina, Lisa and Ella?"

"They're back with Regina," Saphira answered. "Still learning magic."

Tori nodded. "We have to tell them."

Mathias held out a hand. "No, no, no. They already lost Neal. More than once."

Tori sighed. "And if this is a game, we can't put them through losing him again."

"They're right," David told them. "Either way, telling them is what Pan wants."

"Which is why we shouldn't do it," Emma told them.

"You want to find him without letting them know?" Snow asked.

"Why hurt them unnecessarily?" Emma asked. "Especially when Freya's been sketchy minded lately?"

Jefferson looked down. "That's why we need to tell Freya. The news of her and Alcina's brother being alive? It could save Cilla's sanity. Especially since I..."

Jefferson didn't finish saying since he couldn't leave.

"I've never lied to Lisa, Ella or Freya before," Snow told them.

"You're not lying," Saphira told her. "You're just keeping a secret until confirmation."

"Secrets always seem to keep us from the people we really care about," Snow told them.

David sighed. "And sometimes secrets protect the people we love."

ღ

Flashback 2

Enchanted Forest

Day - Seaside

On the side of the ocean, Tori and Ariel were sitting on the rocks. Mathias was standing, wringing out his clothes.

"I can't believe that Tori saved you from drowning," Ariel told him, very enthusiastic. "How she could out-sing--"

Tori gave her a look so that she wouldn't tell Mathias that she was a Siren. "Excuse her, Mathias. She can get overexcited."

"And you, Tori?" Mathias asked. "What on earth would possess you to jump like that from a cliff like that?"

Tori chuckled. "You ever been chased by an Evil Queen or her sister, a Dark Sorceress?"

"I can't say that I have," Mathias answered.

"Makes you do crazy things," Tori told him.

"Well, that I know," Mathias told her.

Tori chuckled. "And I felt like I had to save you. Though your clothes are a dead giveaway for you being a pirate. Don't worry, Mathias, I'm a thief of my own, so I won't judge."

Mathias smirked. "Eh, honor among thieves."

"Where's your crew?" Tori asked.

"I'm on my own for the day," Mathias explained. "And I'm not a captain. So, Tori, you're obviously on the run from two people you should never be on the run from. Ariel, how about you? Are you on the run from someone?"

"More like on the run to someone," Ariel answered.

"What's his name?" Tori asked. "Come on. The one thing that makes everyone crazy is love."

Ariel smiled sheepishly. "Eric. He's a prince in this kingdom."

Mathias was surprised. "So, wait. He lives on land? He's human?"

Ariel nodded. "Okay, here's the thing, about a year ago, his ship wrecked, and I rescued him. I do that. He was unconscious. We never spoke, but when I looked at his face, I just... I knew."

Tori nodded. "Love at first sight."

"It sounds dumb, I know," Ariel told them.

"I've heard a lot of stories from friends and family about love at first sight or gradually falling in love with someone, but I've never had the chance myself," Tori admitted. Mathias chuckled. Tori glanced at him, looking at Ariel. "So, no, it doesn't sound dumb at all."

Ariel was reassured by this, dumping out a bag of trinkets on the rocks.

Mathias chuckled in amusement. "Interesting."

Ariel smiled. "I collect things, and I found this." She showed them a piece of paper. "There's a ball at his castle tonight, the annual under the sea celebration honoring the sea goddess Ursula, and I was hoping to meet him there."

"How are you planning on doing that?" Mathias asked. "With a tail?" Ariel pulled her tail onto the rocks, which turned to legs, as she stood. Mathias was stunned. "How did you do that?"

Tori chuckled. "You really know nothing of your mermaid mythology, do you?"

"Uh, probably about as much as she knows about people mythology," Mathias replied.

Tori smiled. "Good point. Well, anyway, every year at the highest tide, the legend says that the sea goddess Ursula grants her kind with the ability to walk on dry land until the next high tide."

"Which is when?" Mathias asked.

"12 hours," Ariel answered. "Enough time for dinner and dancing and..."

"12 hours?" Mathias repeated. "Why don't you ask this Ursula for a little more time?"

"Well, no one's seen her in a thousand years," Ariel told them. "She's a bit of a myth."

Tori chuckled. "Well, myth or no myth, Ariel here is the only friend I have right now, and the only mermaid who hasn't tried to kill me."

"Why would mermaids want you dead, Tori?" Mathias asked.

"That's a complicated story, Mathias," Tori told him. "But since Ariel's my friend and with my sister Belle missing and me knowing no way to find her, or more correctly get to her, the least I can do is help my friend find the love of her life. I'm going to the ball with her."

"Thank you," Ariel told her. "Oh, Mathias, maybe you should come with us, with Tori, more correctly, so she doesn't have to be alone?"

Mathias was surprised by that request, amused. "Uh..."

"Come on," Ariel told him.

Mathias chuckled. "Well, Tori, you did save my life. What do I have to lose? Besides, you're on the run from the Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress. Maybe I can repay the favor you did me by making sure you're safe while attending a royal ball."

Tori smirked, tilting her head. "My hero."

Ariel smiled. "But can you keep a secret?"

"Mm-hmm," Mathias answered.

"I'm a mermaid," Ariel whispered.

Mathias nodded sarcastically. "Yeah, I got that."

"But Eric doesn't know that," Ariel explained. "So, can we just maybe... keep that under the sea for now?"

Tori chuckled. "Isn't that something he eventually needs to find out?"

Ariel nodded. "Just let him fall for me first, okay?"

Tori looked at Mathias, seeming to understand Ariel's request. "Okay."

Mathias nodded in agreement. "Your secret's safe with me."

ღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Camp

Emma, Snow, David, Jefferson, Saphira, Tori, Mathias and Killian were about to head out.

"If we're gonna hide this, we need a good cover story," Tori told them.

Mathias nodded. "Done."

"That's no problem," Emma agreed.

Freya, Ella, Regina, Lisa and Alcina walked into camp.

"Where you guys going?" Freya asked.

Killian said, "Firewood", the same time David said, "To get water."

"Guys?" Ella asked. "What's going on?"

"Neal's alive," Jefferson answered.

They looked at them in shock.

"Neal i--is alive?" Alcina repeated.

"Maybe," Tori answered.

"Sorry," Jefferson told them.

"It's okay, Jefferson," Snow told him. "They deserve to know."

ღღ

Gold's Camp

Gold was in deep concentration.

Peter appeared. "You can't see the future here." Gold jumped. "It's impossible to see the future in a place where time stands still."

Gold sighed in annoyance. "I may not see the future here, but I can make one happen."

Peter smiled in amusement, scoffing. "Was that a threat? And here I made you your favorite breakfast, eggs in a basket. I thought you could use it. You looked a little down in the dumps."

Gold tried to ignore him. "I'm fine."

"Sure you are, Rumple," Peter told him sarcastically. "You lost your son, Neal, again, your daughters Priscilla and Alcina and son in law Jefferson don't trust you as usual, and your grandchildren Henry, Rose and Grace are unattainable because, well, you'd have to go through me, and we both know you can't. You still like the yolk runny, don't you?"

"What do you want?" Gold asked.

"Well, if you won't eat, then I will," Peter told him, taking a bite. "I'm just trying to point out the silver lining in your cloudy life."

"That by killing you, all our troubles end?" Gold asked.

Peter laughed in amusement, smirking smugly. "We both know that's not going to happen, because the only way to do that is for you to die, too. You can go, leave the island."

"And abandon Bae, Cilla, Ally, Jefferson, and Henry, Rose and Grace?" Gold asked. "I don't think so."

"Look, even if you did save them, which you won't, what would be the point?" Peter asked. "They'll never forgive you for all the horrible things you've done?"

Gold shook his head. "You don't know that."

Peter gave him a look. "Have you forgiven your father?" Gold didn't answer. "You see my point? Back to that silver lining, you have a nice girl waiting for you back in Storybrooke; Belle, is it? Stop this foolishness and go back to her, make a new start. She looks fertile, maybe a new child? You and I both know that that's the only future for you, assuming you want to live. Enjoy the the eggs."

ღ

Camp

The group was talking about Peter's reveal about Neal.

"This is a waste of time," Regina told them. "He's toying with us."

Freya pointed at the ground. "I don't think so. Look. More scuffling. Someone was definitely resisting."

"How do we know that means Neal?" Ella asked.

"Well, then someone was fighting for his life," Alcina told them.

"I get why Freya, Alcina, Jefferson and Lisa wanna believe this, but are the rest of you really going to fall for this?" Regina asked. "Fine. You wanna follow the Evil Munchkin's dirt road? Be my guest."

Alcina gave her a look. "Regina.'

Lisa got an idea, standing.

"Wait," Mathias told her. "Where are you going?"

"To save Henry, Rose and Grace," Lisa answered. "And getting an answer about Neal."

"How?" Alcina asked.

"We could go to ask Rumple," Lisa answered. "If anyone knows, it could be him."

"We need to stick together," Emma told them.

"No, we don't," Alcina told them. "Regina, Tori, Saphira and Mathias can go find Gold. Freya, Lisa, Jefferson and I need to find Neal. Snow, David, Emma, Ella and Hook can help."

"Alcina's right, it'll be faster that way," Freya agreed. "If they want to go find answers to both problems? I say let them."

"Fine," Tori told them. "But be careful. You're gonna need to be."

"Fine," Saphira told them. "I'm tired of waiting around, anyway."

"What if Regina's right?" Emma asked. "Pan could be lying."

Ella gave Emma a look. "Freya, Alcina, don't listen to Emma. Just because it seems too good to be true, doesn't mean it is. Don't give up. We owe it to Henry, Rose and Grace to find out if their father/uncle is still alive. And you owe it to yourselves because he's your brother/Jefferson's brother in law."

ღ

Flashback 3

Enchanted Forest

Day - Maritime Castle

Tori and Ariel walked in, wearing ball gowns. Mathias was already here, not wearing his pirate clothing so he could blend in.

Ariel smiled enthusiastically. "Wow! It's even better than I imagined. Do I look okay? Is this how people dress?"

Tori chuckled. "You look fantastic."

"Does it fit right?" Ariel asked. "Because it just feels a little..."

"Tight?" Tori finished. "That's a corset. It's supposed to be."

"How do you know all these things?" Ariel asked.

"In another life, I was royalty," Tori answered. "Practically a princess."

Ariel smiled. "Well, perhaps you'll be one again."

"I doubt it," Tori told her. "But tonight, you can be." Ariel laughed softly. Tori picked up a fork. "Remember what I taught you. What's this?"

Ariel frowned. "Mini-trident. Salad trident?"

"Fork," Tori answered. "Salad fork."

Ariel saw Eric. "There, look."

"Is that him?" Tori asked.

Ariel laughed in joy. "Yes. That's him. He's just as I remembered, less wet, but more handsome."

"Go to him," Tori told her.

"Just walk over there?" Ariel asked.

Tori nodded. "Love at first sight doesn't need much prompting."

Tori pushed Ariel forward. Ariel walked over to Eric, tripping over her own feet.

Eric approached her. "Would you like to dance?" He helped Ariel up. "Might be easier than walking."

Ariel laughed nervously. "No one's dancing."

"Well, that's one of the perks of being the prince," Eric told her. "If I want to dance, I can." He held out his hand to Ariel, nodding to the musicians, who started to play music. "I'm Eric."

Ariel smiled. "Ariel."

They bowed/curtsied.

"You look familiar," Eric told her. "Have we met?"

Ariel shook her head. "I don't think so."

Eric began to dance with her, realizing. "I know where it's from."

"Where?" Ariel asked.

"I was in a shipwreck and nearly drowned," Eric explained. "Someone saved me. I didn't see them, but I've had a recurring dream since then, of a face, your face."

Ariel shook her head. "That can't be. I'm new in town, so how could I have possibly saved you?"

Eric chuckled. "I know. Ursula's the one who saved me, and in doing so, she showed me a vision of my future. That's the face I saw. That's you."

Ariel frowned. "Ursula is just a myth."

"Is she?" Eric asked. "'Cause you're right here in front of me. Now what brings you to our kingdom?"

"Well, I wanna see the world," Ariel answered.

Eric smiled. "Then you and I have something in common. I'm leaving in the morning, a grand expedition, to do just that."

"What?" Ariel asked.

"I've been planning it for years," Eric explained. "This shall be my final Ursula ball, for tomorrow, I'm exploring the unknown lands, the desert from this realm to Agrabah."

"You're actually doing it?" Ariel asked. "I've always wanted to see the world."

"Then come," Eric told her. "I see it in your eyes, you want to. Unless I've misread things."

Ariel shook her head. "No. Um, I mean... yes, I mean no."

Eric was confused, a bit amused. "I'm pressuring you, that's unfair. How about this? Tomorrow morning, I'll wait for you. If you show up, I'll be filled with joy. If you don't, well, I may be heartbroken, but I'll understand. So nice to meet you, Ariel."

ღ

Elsewhere

Tori was alone, singing silently to herself.

Mathias heard the sound of her voice from nearby, recognizing it, walking closer to hear more clearly, entranced by her voice. "I'd recognize that voice anywhere. You're the one who saved me from being killed in the shipwreck, and more than just saving me from drowning. You managed to get the mermaids to let me go. How?"

Tori shook her head nervously, chuckling. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm not here to blame you or accuse you, Tori," Mathias assured. "I'm here to thank you. You saved my life. Twice. For that the least I owe you is a drink. Or a dance. Whichever you prefer."

Tori smiled slightly. "I haven't had a dance since I was taken from royalty, so yes, Mathias. I would love to dance."

Tori curtsied.

Mathias bowed, taking her hand to lead her in the dance. "Would you tell me what you are?"

Tori sighed, nodding. "A Siren."

"Siren?" Mathias repeated. "Well, that explains why mermaids want to kill you so badly."

Tori gave him an amused look. "So you know more mermaid mythology than you thought you did. Pretty sure I can teach you more."

Mathias chuckled in amusement, spinning Tori around, pulling her closer. "Oh, I'm sure you can. So why does an ex-royalty Siren have to be on the run from the Queen and Sorceress?"

"Because of who I used to live with," Tori answered. "The Dark One and his daughter."

"Priscilla?" Mathias asked.

Tori looked at him in surprise. "You know Priscilla?"

"I covered the sight of her father killing her mother in front of her," Mathias answered. "Not something one would forget."

Tori was stunned to hear that. "My Gods. I used to raise Priscilla as a live in nanny. My sister Belle was their maid, and she's been taken, and while I'm quite sure it's the Queen and Sorceress who took her, I have no idea where they put her, and I have no idea how to get inside."

"And because of your association with Rumplestiltskin and Priscilla, they also want you," Mathias finished.

"Yes," Tori answered. "I'm barely learning how to control these powers of mine, Mathias. And I need to travel to learn how to, so that I can find and free Belle. But to do that, I need to know how to be who I am."

Mathias nodded in understanding. "Sounds like a lot of pressure for one girl, Tori."

"Woman," Tori corrected.

Mathias chuckled, nodding. "Woman."

Mathias spun Tori into a dip, pulling her up. They were close, within inches, looking stunned.

ღ

Dark Palace

Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress, and the two guards from earlier that had been chasing Tori, were looking into the Magic Mirror, at Tori and Mathias.

Dark Sorceress looked amused. "Hmm."

"I thought Tori French would be dead, I'm sorry," Guard 1 told them.

"Next time you let someone fall to their death, make sure they're actually dead," Evil Queen told them.

"And make sure that it's not a Siren falling into water," Dark Sorceress added. "Of course the fall wouldn't have killed Tori. It's actually a good thing she's still alive."

"Shall I lead more knights after Tori?" Guard 2 asked.

Dark Sorceress smirked. "You boys have proved unequal to the task." She smiled. "No, I've got a new idea."

ღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Island

Peter looked through a telescope at the groups, turning to Felix. "Look at them go, so determined to find their missing family."

"Speaking of him, what should we do with Neal?" Felix asked.

"It's time to move him," Peter told him. "Take him to the Echo Caves." Felix gestured to several lost boys, signaling for them to lower Neal's cage. "The game is about to get interesting."

ღ

Jungle

Gold was talking to his hallucination of Belle.

"You don't know what to do, do you?" Belle asked.

"No, I don't," Gold answered.

"Come home to Storybrooke," Belle told him.

"And just leave my and your family behind?" Gold asked. "You want me to leave behind Saphira, Tori, Mathias?"

"Come with me, and we can start a new family, our own family," Belle told him. "That's what I want, don't you?"

Gold shook his head. "No, you--you can't want anything; you're just a figment of my self-conscious."

"No," Belle told him. "No, I'm really here. Take my hand. Believe in our love, and we can go back. Take it, Rumple. Please, come home to me."

Belle started choking. Regina, Saphira, Tori and Mathias approached.

Saphira was using her magic to choke the illusion Belle. "Enough of this."

"Saphira!" Gold told her.

"Are you really gonna fall for this?" Regina asked.

"Rumple, st--stop them," Belle told him.

"Don't listen to him," Regina told him.

"What are you doing?" Gold asked.

"Showing you the truth," Mathias answered.

Belle collapsed.

"No!" Gold told them.

"Look who you're really dealing with," Saphira told him. "Pan."

Saphira used her magic to consume the illusion of Belle in a cloud of orange smoke, making it drop the disguise of her aunt, revealing it to actually be Pan's shadow, making it fly away.

ღ

Elsewhere

The rest of the group were walking along, while the girls were talking.

"I kissed him," Ella admitted.

"What?" Emma asked. "Who?"

"Hook," Ella answered. "I kissed Hook."

Lisa was very surprised. "Oh. Well... why?"

Ella shook her head. "I--I don't know. I--I was... caught up in the moment and feeling good."

"Did it mean anything?" Freya asked.

"How about we leave it at as just a kiss?" Snow asked.

"It felt more than just a kiss," Ella admitted.

Lisa looked at Ella. "I'm sure Neal will understand."

"If he's still alive," Emma told them.

"Emma, would you please stop that?" Alcina asked in severe annoyance.

"You may not want to open yourself up to the hope that he's alive," Snow told her. "But you should let Jefferson, Freya and Alcina have that hope."

"So we can get heartbroken again?" Freya asked.

"Because you, Jefferson and Alcina deserve a happy ending, Freya," Lisa told her. "And happy endings always start with hope."

ღ

Flashback 4

Enchanted Forest

Day - Castle Ballroom

Tori and Ariel were sitting together.

"This was a terrible, terrible mistake," Ariel told her.

"You met him, it's a start," Tori told her.

Ariel sighed sadly. "More like an end. I can't ask him to give up his dream for someone he just met."

"Maybe you're the dream," Tori told her.

"Maybe?" Ariel repeated. "But I can't make him choose. It's not right."

"You can't make him choose?" Tori asked. "Or you don't want to make him choose? You're afraid."

"Of what?" Ariel asked.

"Of his choice," Tori answered.

Ariel chuckled in denial. "There is nothing about any of this... that's easy."

Tori shrugged. "So take my advice. Do the hard thing. Be honest. No secrets. Open your heart to love. It is so worth the risk, even if you get hurt. Then you'll know you tried."

"Like you were being honest with Mathias earlier?" Ariel asked. "A complete open book?"

Tori nodded. "Yeah. But I'm not sure I'm diving into what you're trying to dive into."

Ariel nodded. "I just need some time to think, Tori."

"Well, you have three hours," Tori told her. "So I'll be here if you need me."

They smiled. Ariel walked away.

ღ

Ocean Shore

Ariel was in her human form, back in her regular clothes, standing by the water. "What should I do? That's right, I'm talking to you, Ursula, mythical goddess of the sea. He thought you brought us together, but we both know that's a lie, so tell me, between girlfriends, what do I do? Nothing, huh? Well, what should I expect from the long-dead myth? You gave me legs, but that's it, right? No answers? Thanks for nothing." Evil Queen emerged from the water, having tentacles like an octopus. "Ursula?"

Evil Queen smirked. "Hello, Ariel."

ღღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Island

Regina, Tori, Saphira and Mathias were facing Gold.

"What is this?" Tori asked. "Amateur hour? Did you really believe that was Belle?"

Gold sighed in annoyance. "Why are you here?"

"Well, for starters, it appears we're saving your ass," Mathias answered. "You were about to be Pan's lunch."

"Oh, what do you care?" Gold asked.

"We care because we've been camping with your family and the Charmings for week and getting nowhere," Saphira answered. "If we're gonna get Henry, Rose and Grace, we need you." She said his name mockingly. "We need Rumplestiltskin."

Gold turned to face them. "Well, the problem, dearies, is that Rumplestiltskin can only stop Pan by dying."

Regina rolled her eyes. "You're not gonna die at anyone's hands but my own. You, me, Saphira, Mathias, Freya, Alcina and Lisa are the most powerful practitioners of magic who have ever lived. Tori is the most powerful Siren, Mathias is a Dragon witch, and Saphira is both. The Matthews, Light/Dark Witch, whichever Freya wants to be called, the Dark Sorceress, Evil Queen, Light Bringer and the Dark One joining forces? I'd say we can find another way to handle one smug teenager."

"You've never faced him," Mathias told her. "We have."

"And I know what killing him requires, and that is my life," Gold told them.

"Well, as much as I want to, maybe we don't have to kill him," Tori told them. "If that's the case, then maybe we can find another way. Something to contain him, some other fate."

"A fate worse than death," Regina told them.

Saphira smirked, pointing at Regina. "Now we're talking." She turned to face Gold. "Now, where's our malevolent imp? Is there a spell you know? Something we can enact?"

"No, but back in my shop, I might have just the thing," Gold answered.

"Well, why didn't you bring it with you in the first place?" Regina asked.

"Because I came here to kill him and die in the process," Gold answered.

Mathias laughed. "Well, I could've told you that wasn't gonna happen. You forget, mate, we've known you a long time. We know all about your survival instincts."

"Yeah, well, they just kicked in," Gold told them.

"Good," Tori told him. "Because I'm not getting my head torn off by Belle, Freya and Alcina when they find out that you're trying to kill yourself."

"So now we just need a change of plans," Regina told them. "We need to get back to his shop, pick up this magical item, and then all of our problems are solved."

Saphira scoffed. "Crossing realms. Is that all?"

Mathias smirked at her sarcasm. "Yes. That's all."

ღ

Flashback 5

Enchanted Forest

Night - Beach

Ariel was standing on the beach, staring at Evil Queen, who was disguised as Ursula. "You're... real."

Evil Queen laughed. "As real as the legs you're standing on."

"I'm sorry if I was rude before," Ariel told her.

Evil Queen shook her head. "My dear sweet child, don't fret, I understand, but you're also in luck. I can help with your... dilemma."

"With Prince Eric?" Ariel asked. "I have to tell him the truth, don't I?"

Evil Queen scoffed. "Your friend was mistaken."

"Are you sure?" Ariel asked.

"Of course I'm sure," Evil Queen told her. "If you tell him the truth, that you're from two different worlds, he won't accept that, or you."

"How is this helping again?" Ariel asked.

"What if I told you that you could keep your legs?" Evil Queen asked. "That you can walk on land, be a part of his world, forever, without ever telling him your secret, that you're a mermaid? Would you be interested?"

Ariel smiled. "Of course."

Evil Queen laughed to herself.

ღ

Docks

Tori was sitting at the edge of the docks, seeing Mathias getting ready to board a ship, smirking, walking closer. "Let me guess. Pirate Mathias stealing a boat because mermaids made him wreck his."

Mathias smirked. "After the Siren Tori saved the pirate, no less, yes. I was heading out now. You've come to say goodbye?"

Tori shrugged. "You're one of the few people who haven't looked at me like I'm a monster after learning what I am."

Mathias was confused, curious. "Who could ever look at you like a monster?"

"My stepfather," Tori answered. "And a lot of other people."

"Well, forget them," Mathias told her. "You're great as you are. You're not a monster, Tori French, and I'm glad to have met you."

Tori smiled. "And I you, Mathias Matthews."

Mathias wondered what to say for a moment. "You know, if you need help with finding Belle, whatever you need from me, Tori, I'll be happy to help."

"Why?" Tori asked.

"Because you saved my life," Mathias answered. "Pretty sure it's the least I could do."

Tori couldn't help but smile. "Thank you... Mathias. I appear to need a lot of help."

They chuckled.

Ariel arrived, grabbing her friend by the arm. "Hi, Mathias. Bye, Mathias. Tori, come here."

Tori sighed. "Mathias, give us a second." Mathias nodded. Ariel pulled Tori away toward the edge of the dock. "What is it? What happened?"

Ariel took out a bracelet, smiling. "Something amazing, and not just for me, but for the both of us."

"What are you talking about?" Tori asked.

"I received a gift, a gift that will allow me to spend the rest of my life with Eric, and a way for you to escape the Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress, and a way for the mermaids to stop trying to kill you whenever you go into the sea," Ariel told her.

"How is that possible?" Tori asked.

Ariel put the bracelet on Tori's wrist. "Look."

"What are you doing?" Tori asked.

Ariel smiled excitedly. "This is no ordinary bracelet." A dark green smoke formed around Tori's legs. "Look." Tori gasped as she had trouble standing. Ariel helped her sit down. "Here."

"What's happening?" Tori asked in alarm, in shock as she saw her legs turn into a mermaid's tail, starting to fall.

Ariel helped Tori stay upright. "You're a mermaid."

"Ariel, what have you done?" Tori asked.

"The bracelet is magic," Ariel explained. "I got it from Ursula. By wearing it, you get my tail, and I can keep my legs. That's the price, but it's a good price. Don't you see? You can escape, and you won't have to worry about the mermaids trying to kill you, and you can have a life, a wonderful life, under the sea."

"Ursula gave you the bracelet?" Tori asked.

Ariel nodded. "Yes."

"Ursula is a myth," Tori told her. "She hasn't existed for thousands of years. She's not real."

"Yes, she is," Ariel told her.

Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress appeared, walking closer.

"Actually, it's not entirely true," Dark Sorceress told them.

"What's going on?" Ariel asked.

Evil Queen smiled. "Well, well, well, look at the catch of the day."

"Ursula?" Ariel asked.

"No, this isn't Ursula," Tori answered. "That's Regina, the Evil Queen, and her sister, Alcina, the Dark Sorceress."

ღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Outside Echo Cave

Alcina, Freya, Jefferson, Lisa, Emma, Ella, Snow, David and Killian arrived.

"The tracks lead directly into the cave," Freya explained. "This must be where Pan is keeping Neal."

"If the cave is some sort of prison, why aren't there any guards posted to stop us?" David asked.

"Because this prison doesn't require guards," Killian answered. "Echo Cave."

"You know it?" Emma asked.

"All too well," Killian answered. "I lost half my crew inside those rock walls. The only way to rescue someone from inside is to reveal a secret."

"A secret?" Snow repeated. "That's all?"

"Your darkest secret," Killian explained. "Echo Cave derives its name from an old saying, 'the deeper the lie, the more truth in its echo'. The cave demands that you reveal a truth about yourself, a secret you would never admit to anyone."

Alcina sighed. "This is ridiculous."

"Don't kill the messenger, love," Killian told her.

"Even if we spill our guts, how do we know Neal's still alive in there?" Emma asked.

"Because this is what Pan wants," Lisa answered. "He wants us to rescue him."

"Why?" David asked.

"So that we reveal our secrets," Jefferson answered. "He believes once we do, our secrets will destroy us."

ღ

Flashback 6

Enchanted Forest

Day - Docks

Mathias was getting ready to set his stolen ship off to set sail, but he became distracted when he saw what was happening on the docks. Tori, on the ground because of her tail, was trying to pull herself away from the Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress.

"Having trouble with your fin?" Dark Sorceress asked.

"I'll figure it out," Tori told them angrily.

"Tori, the bracelet," Ariel told her.

Tori tried to remove the bracelet.

Evil Queen smiled. "The wearer can't take it off. Oh, did I leave that detail out? For once, Tori, you won't be able to run away."

Ariel shook her head in betrayal. "You tricked me."

"You went to a long-dead octopus for advice, and you're going to blame us for your problems?" Dark Sorceress asked.

Mathias approached them. "Tori?"

Mathias tried to help Tori.

Evil Queen used magic to stop Mathias. "Uh-uh-uh. Sorry, dear, you're not helping her."

"Mathias, get out of here," Tori told him.

"For once, we're in agreement," Dark Sorceress told her. "Get out of here, pirate."

"Ariel, Mathias, it's okay," Tori told them. "I can't keep running forever. They can take me to Belle."

Evil Queen laughed. "Oh, Tori, where you're going, you won't even see your sister. You'll be locked away just like her forever."

Tori ignored her. "Ariel, you have a chance at happiness. That's something the Queen and Sorceress will never have. Eric is going to leave any moment, go to him. Mathias, you don't have to be apart of this, just go."

"Ariel, Mathias, I would listen to her if I were you," Dark Sorceress told them. "Are you really going to give up your lives for a friend?"

Mathias scoffed. "I'm not that easily scared away."

Mathias used his sword to slash at Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress, managing to hit them a couple of times, but they were using magic to make him miss so they wouldn't get hurt often, using magic to keep Mathias in place, the magic they used on him awakening the magic that had been born inside of him, making it burst out in a flash of fiery orange power, throwing Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress to the ground, much to everyone's shock, even Mathias's, as this was when he finally learned of what he could do. Mathias ran up to Tori, taking the bracelet off of her, throwing it into the water.

"How did you do that?" Tori asked in shock as her tail changed back to her legs.

"I have no idea," Mathias admitted. "But I'm not sticking around here to figure it out. Come on."

Evil Queen used magic to push Mathias into the water, trying to drown him.

Tori sat up to try to help him. "Mathias!"

Tori used her Siren Song to control Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress to stop, but also affecting the Dragon inside Mathias after he had already been angry and touched by magic. Mathias turned into Dragon form while under water, bursting out of the water, roaring. Tori, Ariel, Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress looked at him in shock. Tori sang to calm Mathias down to where he could return to human form, slipping into the water to help him calm down.

"What the bloody hell just happened?" Mathias asked.

Tori shook her head. "Hold your breath."

Tori dove into the water with Mathias, as they swam away.

Evil Queen and Dark Sorceress ran up to the edge of the dock, looking into the water for Tori and Mathias, but they were already getting away. They both released a growl of frustration.

ღღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Echo Cave

The group walked in, seeing that on the other end of the cave, locked in a cage and unreachable because of a gap in the cave floor was Neal.

Neal saw his sisters. "Freya? Ally?"

Freya smiled in relief when she saw him. "Bae."

Alcina chuckled in shock. "Neal."

"It must be a hundred feet across," Snow told them.

"Even if we fashioned some sort of rope, there's nothing to attach it to," David told them. "No way to swing over."

Freya, Alcina and Lisa tried to use magic, but realizing it nearly took the entire cave down around them, they had to stop before someone got hurt.

"We can't use magic," Lisa told them. "If we do? We might all die."

"So what do we do?" Ella asked.

"Hook told us what needs to be done," Alcina told them. "Consider this the moment of truth. Literally. I don't have any secrets because all of my secrets, I've told after I was released from the Curse smoke. So that I didn't have to live with all of the guilt."

"All right, Ally" Freya told her. "Then how wants to kick things off?"

"So, what?" Emma asked. "Someone tells their secrets and they sprout wings?"

"I don't know the particulars, only what I've been told," Killian told them.

"Well, how do you know it'll work?" David asked.

Killian took a deep breath, turning to face Neal. "There's only one way to find out, I suppose." He turned to face the others. "I kissed Ella."

Emma rolled her eyes.

"You did what?" David asked.

"David, now is not the time," Snow pointed out.

Ella looked at Killian. "I already told Mom, Freya, Emma, Lisa and Alcina, so technically it's not a secret, but it was just a kiss. How's that your darkest secret?"

"It's what the kiss exposed," Killian admitted. "My secret is, I never thought I'd be capable of letting go of my first love, of my Milah, to believe that I could find someone else, that is, until I met you."

The ground quaked, and a large chunk of rock grew from the floor, forming a partial bridge to reach the part of the cave where Neal was.

Ella looked at Killian. "It's funny you say that, because after what Neal did to me and to Emma, I never thought I could feel the way I felt with him ever again. But when I'm around you, I feel like I can. Like I can fall in love again."

The ground shook, and the bridge extended.

Jefferson prepared to tell his secret. "Uh, Lisa, Freya..."

David stopped him, turning to Snow. "No, no, no, Jefferson, me next. Ever since the Curse broke, since we found each other, since we found Emma and Ella, and all of that happiness, there is something I haven't wanted to admit. Our daughters are beautiful, smart, amazing women whom I love very much, and of whom I could not be more proud. But they're all grown up, and as much as I wanna pretend I'm okay with that, I'm not. We missed it, Snow. What we have with them is unique, but it's not what we planned."

Snow nodded in agreement. "I know, David. We were cheated out of everything; their first steps, Ella's first word, her first smile. We missed it all."

"What are you saying?" David asked.

"When we get off this island and get back to Storybrooke, I want another go at it," Snow answered. "I wanna have another baby."

Snow and David's secrets revealing caused the ground to quake and the bridge to extend twice.

Lisa hesitated for a moment. "There was something Pan said to me, about how I refused to admit that a part of me is scared of myself, and what I can do. Because even if I can only use my power for good, it doesn't mean others can't get hurt without me meaning to hurt anyone, and because I've seen what my power does when I've been controlled. No matter how much I deny it, I am scared of myself."

Jefferson and Freya rubbed Lisa's shoulders soothingly as the ground quaked and the bridge extended.

Jefferson took a deep breath to tell his secret. "Cilla, Lisa... When David, Mathias, Hook and I went to search for the sextant, Hook was really taking me to find a cure."

"A cure for what?" Freya asked.

"Dreamshade," Jefferson answered.

Freya realized. "The lost boys, the arrow. You pushed me out of the way..."

Jefferson shook his head worriedly. "I wasn't fast enough. I was hit. Hook was able to find a cure, but it comes a price. I can't leave Neverland. If I do, I'll die."

Freya and Lisa were heartbroken, in denial. Emma, Ella, Snow and Alcina were in shock. David and Killian looked down.

"My secret is that I was hoping Neal was dead, and that Hook would disappear, because it would be easier on Ella to put them behind her than to face all the pain that she went through all over again," Emma admitted. "I didn't want anyone to hurt Ella. And both of you have shady pasts. I didn't want anyone else to get hurt."

The last of the bridge extended.

Alcina and Freya ran down the bridge to get to the cage.

Neal smiled slightly in relief. "Freya. Ally."

"Hey," Alcina told him. "I can't believe you're alive."

Freya and Alcina got the cage to work, opening it to let Neal out. Freya and Neal embraced tightly in relief, near tears.

"Bae..." Freya trailed off in a whisper.

"It's okay," Neal told her. "Cilla, it's okay." They pulled away. Neal and Alcina couldn't help but smile. "Ally."

Neal and Alcina embraced.

"You okay?" Alcina asked.

"Yeah," Neal answered. "But Henry, Rose and Grace..."

"I--it's okay," Lisa told them. "We're gonna get them."

Freya, Neal and Alcina embraced once again, sighing heavily in relief.

ღღ

Outside

The group walked outside.

"Thank you," Neal told them.

"Well, don't thank us yet," David told him. "We still have to save Grace, Henry and Rose."

Killian looked at Neal. "Tori, Saphira and Mathias showed us your star map, so the real question is, can you four get us off this island?"

"Well, if we can find Henry, Rose and Grace, Mathias, Tori, Saphira and I can get us home," Neal answered.

"Let's go get Tinker Bell and retrieve Rose, Henry and Grace," Emma told them.

Freya and Jefferson lingered behind everyone as they walked away.

Jefferson was very worried about her. "Cilla? Priscilla. You okay?"

"Still sane, if that's what you mean," Freya answered, still in shock. "Jefferson..."

Jefferson turned to face her. "Hey. Hey, Cilla. It's okay."

"No, it's not," Freya told him. "After everything that's happened..."

Jefferson tried to keep her calm, as she was close to crying, tears in his own eyes. "Freya, I know I should've told you... you have to understand why I didn't."

"I know why you didn't, Jefferson," Freya told him. "Because of the shared madness. Because I was already starting to lose it. I only stopped because you got cured, because you told me about Neal being alive."

"And you know how it works, Cilla," Jefferson told her sadly. "I can't leave. But you have to go. For Lisa and Grace."

"I don't accept that this is the end," Freya told him. "I've never stopped fighting for you, Jefferson, and I'm not going to stop. Never."

ღ

Flashback 7

Enchanted Forest

Day - Beach

Tori and Mathias sat together on the shore, both still soaking wet from their getaway.

"I'm so sorry you got dragged into this, Mathias," Tori told him. "Are you okay?"

Mathias took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'm fine, Tori. I can't hold my breath like a Siren or a mermaid, but fine."

Tori managed a small smile and chuckle. "Well, you are something pretty intimidating. I mean, that magic you did back there, the way you changed into a Dragon..."

"I've never done that before, and I never even knew I could do that," Mathias admitted. "But I'm gonna have to figure it out, aren't I?"

Tori smiled. "Yeah. And... thank you, for coming to save me."

"I told you that I would do whatever you needed to repay what you did for me," Mathias reminded her. "But I have to admit, Tori, I didn't come for you just because you saved my life."

Tori chuckled. "I figured. So... what now, Dragon?"

"We can figure it out together, Siren," Mathias told her.

They looked at each other, smiling slightly.

Tori nodded. "Okay. Together. I like the sound of that, Mathias."

Tori and Mathias both chuckled, standing, walking down the beach together, exchanging looks and smiles.

ღ

Castle - Outside

Eric was waiting on a balcony for Ariel.

"Your highness, it's time," a man told him.

"Just a little longer," Eric told him.

Ariel swan up in the water, moving her mouth to speak his name, but no noise came out. 'Eric! Eric! Eric? Eric?' Unable to hear her, Eric walked away. 'No, please, no, Eric!'

Eric left. Ariel shook her head in sadness.

Evil Queen appeared. "No second chances." She sat down on the docks above Ariel. "Hmm?" Ariel touched her throat. "Oh, that, your voice. I took it. The only thing worse about telling your prince how you feel and rejecting you is... never telling him at all. Never knowing. Never even having... a chance at true love. That's right, dear. He's gone. Time to swim back home, little mermaid."

Upset and devastated, Ariel dove back underwater.

ღ

Dark Castle

Dark Sorceress and Evil Queen had come for magic lessons with Rumplestiltskin and Young Priscilla, but stopped when they heard a voice coming from a full length mirror.

Ursula was in the mirror. "Hello, Regina. Alcina."

"You?" Dark Sorceress asked. "You're real?"

Ursula's tentacles emerged from the mirror, wrapping tightly around the Evil Queen. "Next time you claim to be me, you'll find out just how real I am." She let her go. "Don't ever do that again."

ღ

Now

Neverland

Night - Beach

Regina, Tori, Saphira, Mathias and Gold were walking along the shore. Tori stopped when she saw a conch, picking it up.

"If you think summoning another giant squid is the answer, it's not," Gold told her. "That's right, I've heard about the fun your group has been having."

"Well, this time, we have no intention off ordering calamari," Tori told them, whispering into the conch. Ariel surfaced from the water. "Hello, Ariel. Long time, old friend."

"It's true mermaids can travel across realms even in realms where portals are restricted because they go to the very bottom of the ocean, but they can't be trusted," Regina told them.

"This one can," Mathias told them. "Tori, Saphira, Ariel and I have history together. Then again, Ariel also has history with Regina and Alcina."

"Well, that would explain the distasteful look on her face and the glare she's sending to Regina," Saphira told them. "Hi, Ariel. I'm older Saphira. Tori and Mathias's daughter."

Ariel looked at them in surprise, surprised to see how much Saphira had grown.

Tori smiled. "Yeah. Mathias, Saphira and I came a long way. Can you help us?"

Ariel pointed at the three Matthews, nodding, but when she pointed at Gold and Regina, she shook her head.

"Why isn't she speaking?" Gold asked.

Regina remembered. "Oh, right, her voice."

Regina waved her hand to give Ariel's voice back.

"I'll help Tori, Mathias and Saphira any day, but why would I help you?" Ariel asked.

"Because I can give you what you want," Regina answered, putting out her hand, and the same bracelet from the flashbacks appeared in Ariel's hand. "I can give you legs, Ariel, and this time, control over them."

"And more importantly, I can give you what you need most," Tori told her.

Ariel frowned in confusion. "What?"

"The place we're sending you, among its residents, is your Prince Eric," Mathias answered.

Ariel nodded. "What's the name of this place?"

Saphira smirked. "Storybrooke."