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 clang of metal on metal wore thin ten minutes ago. Emma raises the sword and slams it against the bars again. I'm considering stepping in front of the bars. Just to silence it.
"We aren't going to break it down, Emma. It was enchanted to hold Rumpelstiltskin. We don't have a chance." Snow's words stop her.
Emma closes her eyes and drops the sword. She sits next to me, joining my pity party. We sit in silence for a minute, accepting our fates. Well, at least the others are. I've been staring at the same spot the entire time.
I can't believe I let myself trust him. I wouldn't admit it. Not even to myself. But the illusion shattered the second I saw him standing by Cora's side once again. I knew better, so why? The answer's right there. Another truth I refuse to face. Especially now.
"This is my fault." Aurora's voice is rough.
"No, it's mine. Cora stole your heart because I failed to protect you." Mulan chimes in, her voice is missing its usual steel.
"That's very sweet, but I believe it's my fault. I'm the savior, and I'm not doing much saving, am I?" Emma says.
I finally tear my eyes from the same spot on the floor. She closes her eyes and smiles bitterly. I can't say I blame her. She'll die in this cell without ever seeing her son again.
"I know how you feel," I whisper. "Being told who you are and what you're supposed to do, only to fail at every turn."
I think back to the prophecy Jefferson once told me about. What a joke. I couldn't even lay a hand on Cora. I lean my head back against the stone wall. I wish Jefferson were here now.
"I guess we have something in common then." She responds under her breath.
I scan the cell again, vision sharpening. At least Gold knew he wouldn't die here. He may have been in a cell, but everyone was playing right into his hand. I stand abruptly.
"Something's not right," I say.
I start pacing the length of the cell.
"Obviously. We're trapped in a cell." Emma says dryly.
"No, I mean with Rumpelstiltskin. He may be a lot of things, a liar included, but he's never wrong."
He led us here. Did Cora really outsmart the Dark One?
"You think he's working with Cora? To trap us here?" Mulan asks.
"No. I doubt even The Dark One wants anything to do with her."
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.
