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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I pull up to the clock tower just in time. David and Snow are already there waiting for me. I made sure to bring my sword, knowing that Cora could show up and try to take the dagger for herself. I get out of the car, and the pair of them looks antsy. I smile at them reassuringly.
"Hey, what took you so long?"
"Sorry, I was visiting a friend, but I'm here now. Let's do this."
The ride up is silent. I can feel the tension in the small space, but I don't let it get to me. The doors open to reveal a staircase that leads up to the clock arms. Without needing to say anything, we all head up the stairs. Once we reach the glass panes of the clock, I reach in, grabbing the big arm of the clock. Lo and behold, the Dark One's dagger is strapped to the arm of the clock.
"Clever hiding place for a very clever man," I say.
I may not like the man, but he does love my friend, even if she doesn't remember him any longer. My stomach rolls. When I die, she'll have no one she remembers. I push the feeling down.
It's strange, holding my own murder weapon in my hands. Even stranger knowing that I'm going to let it fall into the hands of my murderer.
"We did it." Snow says as I numbly hand the dagger to her.
She holds it up and looks at Rumpelstiltskin's name engraved on it.
"The Dark One can finally be controlled." David chimes in, looking at the dagger in wonder.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end.
"Indeed, he can be. But by whom?"
I whirl around at the sound of Cora's voice. There she is. She stands there with her daughter, both looking thick as thieves. I step in front of the Charmings, hand steady on the hilt of my sword.
For the first time since I was a child, I don't feel the familiar fear in my heart at the sight of her. Only anger. Anger at the loss of my memories. Anger at the loss of my magic. Anger at the loss of twenty eight years from her daughter. Anger at Hook's betrayals at the behest of Cora. Anger at the loss of the crown that was meant to be mine.
Only anger.
"Cora," I say calmly before turning my attention to Regina. "And her traitor of a daughter."
"Alice, we meet again," Cora says with her usual condescending smile.
"Yes, we do. I wonder how things will end this time." I say, raising a brow.
My words cause her to study me in silence for a minute.
"There's something different about you, isn't there?" She surmises, and I smile.
"I'm ready for this rivalry to end. You both have hurt me enough." I answer and turn my attention to Regina again, the smile gone from my expression now. "I gave you my friendship, and I gave you a choice. To choose the right side, but you didn't."
