The Circuit of Hearts: Fragments of Circuits

Emma and R-01 investigate the murder of an outsider journalist and the disappearance of magical creatures, uncovering a black-market potion trade linked to immortality. As Emma grows increasingly reliant on R-01, their dynamic shifts between frustration, reluctant partnership, and unsettling familiarity, with R-01 displaying glimpses of Regina's personality. A false lead wastes valuable time, allowing Rumple's true goal to unfold-stealing a powerful artifact from Regina's vault that could either fully restore her or erase her human soul forever. Henry's grief moment, where he recalls Regina calling him "my little prince," triggers a critical glitch in R-01, leading to an emergency shutdown where she whispers, "Emma, I'm still here." In the shocking cliffhanger, Emma realizes R-01 knows more than she's letting on, while Rumple, now holding the Heart of the Evermore and the Soulbinder's Box, smirks and whispers, "Now... it begins."

*SwanQueen*