Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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The sound of metal hitting metal was wearing thin ten minutes ago. Emma brings the sword back to hit the bars once more and I consider standing in the way. Just to make the noise stop.
"We aren't going to break it down, Emma. It was enchanted to hold Rumpelstiltskin. We don't have a chance." Thankfully Snow's words make her stop. A defeated look comes across Emma's face as she slides down the wall next to me. We all sit in silence for a minute, coming to terms with the situation. Well, at least the others are. I've been staring at the same spot for ten minutes, unmoving, and unable to speak.
"This is my fault." Aurora breaks the silence, voice wrought with guilt.
"No, it's mine. Cora stole your heart because I failed to protect you." Mulan chimes in just as defeated as the rest.
"That's very sweet, but I believe it's my fault. I'm the savior and I'm not doing much saving, am I?" Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the devastation on Emma's face. I can't say I blame her. She'll die in this cell, unable to see her son ever again.
"I know how you feel." I say, soft enough that I'm not even sure she can hear me. "Being told who you are and what you're supposed to do, only to fail at every turn." I add. I think back to the prophecy Jefferson had told me about. How so many people in Wonderland had risked their lives and sacrificed themselves so I could defeat Cora. But I keep failing. I wish Jefferson were here now.
"I guess we have something in common then." She responds back under her breath. I shake my head and stand up abruptly.
"Something's not right though." I voice my thoughts out loud, pacing back and forth.
"Obviously. We're trapped in a cell." She says in a monotone voice. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"No, I mean with Rumpelstiltskin. He may be a lot of things, a liar included, but he's never wrong." I say, talking to myself out loud. He led us here. Did Cora really outsmart The Dark One?
"You think he's working with Cora? To trap us here?" Mulan asks and I shake my head immediately.
"No. I doubt even The Dark One wants anything to do with her." I answer. I keep trying to wrap my head around it but I can't. He led us here to find squid ink. He had to have known that there wouldn't be any left. So why?
"It's possible he thought there was ink in here and was mistaken." Snow offers and I shrug off that response as well.
"Does that sound like him?" I ask with an incredulous expression.
"No. It doesn't." Her brows furrow, her face becoming just as confused as my own. I keep pacing for a while before I remember something. My heart lurches hopefully.
"Oh my god." I say, a slow grin coming over my face.
"What?" Emma looks at me as though I've lost my mind.
