𝓞𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓤𝓹𝓸𝓷 𝓐 𝓣𝓲𝓶𝓮

2×06 - Tallahassee

–[Fairy Tale Land – Present]–

(Emma, Mary Margaret, Aurora, Mulan, Madeline, and Hook approach the base of the beanstalk and look up, seeing that it extends through the clouds.)

Emma: It's a little freakier than I remember from the story.

Mulan: Reminds me of death.

MMB: Encouraging.

Hook: Well, your compass awaits. Shall we?

Emma: Wait. If these beans create...portals, why not just pick one and go home? Why the compass?

Madeline: Because there aren't any more beans. Whatever story you think you know, my dear is most certainly wrong.

Emma: There was a guy named Jack, and a cow, and something about evil giant with a treasure and a golden goose. ...Or harp.

Hook: Sounds like a lovely tale. But the truth's a little bit more gruesome. The giants grew the beans, but, rather than use them for good, they used them to plunder all the lands. Jack, was a man who fought a terrible war, defeating all but one of the evil giants. The beans were destroyed by the giants as they died. If they couldn't have their magic, then nobody could. It's really very bad form.

Emma: Evil giants, who made magic portal beans? Why doesn't anyone just go up and grow some more?

Madeline: Because one giant survived. The strongest and most terrible of them all. And we'll have to get past him to-

MMB: The magic compass.

Hook: Indeed. The treasure remains, and amongst it is the compass. Now it will guide us to your land. Cora has the means to open a portal with the wardrobe ashes, but she can't find your land without the compass. Once we get it, steal the ashes from her and we're on our way.

Mulan: How do we know you're not just using us to get the compass for Cora?

Madeline: Because you four are far safer company. All we need is a ride back. We'll swear allegiance to whomever gets us there first.

Emma: Then we'd better start climbing.

Hook: Right, so... we failed to mention that the giant enchanted the beanstalk to repel intruders.

Emma: Alright, so how do we get up there?

Madeline: We've got a counterspell from Cora. If you'd be so kind.

(The Jones siblings hold up their wrists, which are still tied together. Mary Margaret unties them. Hook holds up one of his arms, showing a glowing cuff.)

Hook: Thank you, milady. We've got one more of these. Cora was to accompany us. So... Which one of you four lovelies shall take her place? Hm? Go on, fight it out. Don't be afraid to, you know, really get into it.

–[Portland – Past]–

(The text indicates that it's Portland, Oregon, and eleven years prior. A younger Emma approaches a parked yellow beetle and pulls out a metal rod, which she uses to open the lock. She gets inside and then uses a screwdriver to start the transmission. Emma drives off but is soon interrupted by a man and a woman in the back seat. They lean forward and the man holds up a pair of keys.)

Neal: Impressive. But really, you could've just asked me for the keys. Just drive. It's fine.

Emma: I just stole your car. Your life could be in danger.

Olivia: Olivia Cassidy.

Neal: Neal Cassidy.

Emma: Yeah, I'm not telling you my name.