In New York, Hook tries to get Emma to remember who she really is. In the past, the Storybrooke residents return to the Enchanted Forest and are threatened by a threat like no other.

Emma captures the Snow Queen and learns that they are more alike then she can possibly imagine. In arendelle of the past, Ingrid discovers her deadly ice powers and makes a pact with her two sisters to protect and always be there for one another – no matter what.

Emma is still reeling after learning the truth of her parents’ history with Maleficent, but she must focus on finding the Author, who is running loose in Storybrooke, before Gold does. When Gold’s quest for his happy ending grows more urgent, he blackmails Regina into helping him. In a Fairy Tale Land flashback, Robin Hood learns what it means to be an honorable thief when he accepts a proposition by Rumpelstiltskin to travel to Oz to steal a valuable magic elixir from the Wicked Witch.

The heroes join forces with an old friend of Snow's to defeat an obstacle standing in the way of finding Hook. Meanwhile, Hook encounters challenges of his own.

With Snow still asleep in Storybrooke, David and Hook race to stop Gideon before he can confront Emma. Meanwhile, Regina struggles with the realization that everyone, even Robin, is better off in the alternate world where the Evil Queen was defeated. And when Emma inspires a familiar face to help her and Regina return home, she discovers the power to change her fate.

Gold and Belle convince Emma to help Gideon, explaining that together they can stop the Black Fairy. Henry experiences a disorienting shift in his powers that forces Regina to seek counsel from the previous Author. Meanwhile, in Fairy Tale Land, Hook attempts to win the assistance of an old adversary by betting his most prized possession on a game of cards. And, in a flashback, the Black Fairy tortures young Gideon in hopes of molding him into the perfect apprentice.