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Astrid sat in Peter's lap as everyone was in the Sorcerer's mansion inside of the hidden library, searching through the countless empty storybooks.

The Author and Regina was able to make the special ink work for his quill, but he escaped and went to Gold to fulfill his plans-- Yet, nothing has changed yet.

Regina suddenly snapped while closing a book somewhat loudly, "They're all still blank. Whatever the Author's writing, it's not appearing in the books. This is useless."

Robin grabbed the side of her face and made her look at him, saying, "Easy. This is not your fault."

Astrid and Peter shared a somewhat happy look between one another, actually happy for Regina and Robin dating.

"Even so, tomorrow, thanks to Gold and the Author, I can wake up a talking frog," Regina sighed as Hook spoke up, "At least you'll wake up."

Astrid bit her lip in worry, not wanting to lose her family and true love again. She couldn't. Especially when she was just reunited with Peter.

Peter ran his fingers gently through his love's wavy blonde hair and kissed her temple in reassurance.

"Well, there's not use speculating what he wants, we just need to stop it." Astrid spoke up with a light sigh, "And if there's nothing useful here, we need to move on. Find something else that can help."

August stepped inside of the library and moved over to group, speaking up, "I might know something that could."

David looked over at him in confusion and started, "August, I thought you didn't know anything more about the Author."

Astrid spoke up again, "He doesn't, but he knows someone who does. That's why I called him here."

Peter moved his arms around his fiancée and rested his chin on her shoulder as she glanced at him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Who?" Snow inquired in confusion.

August glanced over at Astrid before answering Snow White, "Well, really two people... The man who gave him his power- the Apprentice. I met him once when I was living in Phuket. He was the one who told me about Storybook and that I should learn everything about it."

"And who's the other person?" Peter questioned the former wooden man as Hook glanced over at his adopted daughter who moved somewhat and wrapped her arms around Peter's waist.

"The Creator here," August simply remarked lightly, making everyone look over at Astrid who slightly widened her eyes some and looked at everyone also.

"Pinocchio say what?" Astrid remarked in shock, "Me being the Creator is still entirely new to me, but I know what my purpose is-- I mean, I'm still learning about the power that comes with the responsibility..."

August nodded some while explaining further, "You have the power to literally change people's destinies and fate. You're more powerful than the Author. That's why he had locked you inside of that page when he escaped. He knows you can stop their plans."

Astrid stood up but kept her hand linked with Peter's hand, saying, "How do I do this?"

"Let's start with you believing that you have that special quill and ink in your hands this very moment." August replied.

Astrid glanced over at her love and then her parents before she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, suddenly feeling two objects in her hands.

She glanced down at them to find the said quill and ink, letting out, "Whoa. Cool."

Astrid then moved over to an empty storybook and flipped it open to a blank page. As soon as she touches it, the page glowed which revealed what she should change in her mind.

The eighteen year old girl staggered backwards and was steadied by Peter holding her in his arms slightly now with him asking in concern, "You alright, love?"

Astrid smiled at her love and family, relieved, her blue eyes watery. "Yeah. I am... You guys will definitely be okay. Trust me."

"AJ, what's wrong? You saw something. You know something you're not telling us." Hook began.

Astrid kept her sad smile as she looked over at her adopted father and commented, "August is right. I can rewrite everything, create a different story from Isaac's... but at a cost."

"What's the cost?" Henry spoke up.

"I have to say goodbye again," Astrid replied, "I have the power to give you all your happy endings or beginnings, I mean... like Emma, yet like the Author, I can't create my own. I have to leave. For good."

Peter's grip tightened around the girl as he shook his head, speaking up, "Astrid, no. I can't lose you."

Astrid faced the green eyed boy and moved a soft hand over the side of his face and murmured, "I know, but this is for the greater good. Believe me. In Isaac's world, heroes will be villains and villains will be heroes. Everything is opposite. I seen what happens to all of you in this world, and in my world... I'll make it better. I promise."

"What'll happen to you?" Emma asked her sister while stepping over to her.

"I just... won't be in the same land as any of you anymore. I won't be able to see you guys." Astrid sighed, adding with a sad laugh, "At least, I'm not dying this time."

"Okay. If- If this is our best option, then do it. I trust you, Astrid." Regina spoke up, "You'll make things right. You always do."

David and Snow looked at their teenage daughter with teary eyes and rushed over to her, hugging her tightly. "Be safe out there, Kiddo." David murmured.

Astrid nodded in the embrace and also murmured, hugging them back, "I promise. I love you, Dad, Mom."

"We love you, too, baby," Snow cried, "We won't forget you. Ever. No matter what happens, you'll always be with us whatever the distance may be."

Astrid sadly laughed and then stepped back and faced Emma who was also crying, the woman beginning, "I can't say goodbye... I need my twin."

"I'll miss you, too, Em. Watch out for them and don't let Hook go. He's going to need you. He'll be a mess." Astrid replied, a single tear falling down her cheek. She then hugged Emma and let out, "I love you, bitch."

"I love you too, punk," Emma sadly laughed as well, adding, "Take care."

Astrid stepped over to Henry and smiled some just as her nephew quickly hugged her tightly, letting out, "I'm really going to miss you, Astrid. You're the best aunt I could have ever hoped for. I will always love you."

"You and me, bud," Astrid softly said, "No matter the time and distance, I'll always be there for you in here." She pointed at his heart and smiled some. "I love you, Kiddo."

Henry smiled also and nodded, sniffling somewhat as he stepped back. Hook then stepped over to her, his eyes watery as well.

"AJ, I-I-" The one-handed pirate began as Astrid moved into his arms and hugged him with him hugging her back just as tight.

"I am the person I am today because of you... I used to think my friends on Berk were the ones who shaped who I was, but no, it was always you, Papa..." Astrid murmured in the embrace, "Thank you. I will never forget you."

"And aye you, lass," Hook nodded, adding, "I will continue to believe in you, AJ, like you have done for me. You'll do good wherever you end up at... May we meet again."

He kissed the top of his adopted daughter's head as she kept her smile on her face and nodded, letting out, "And aye you. May we meet again."

Astrid then stepped back and moved over to Regina and Robin and hugged the couple at the same time. "I'll miss you guys as well. You're family. No matter what."

"As you are ours, too, Kid," Robin lightly replied, "Be careful."

"You too." Astrid nodded.

"Ever since you first arrived in Storybrooke, you've believed in me. You're the first person, besides Henry, to do that in a long time. Thank you, Astrid." Regina spoke up, "For everything."

"I wouldn't trade a second of it. I loved my time here." Astrid laughed before adding, "Remember, Regina, you're not the Evil Queen anymore. You good, and you're a hero now. Trust yourself. You definitely deserve your happy beginning and ending."

"You're the best, A," Regina lightly remarked while pulling her in a tearful hug also.

Astrid then moved over to August and grinned, starting, "Someday?"

August chuckled, adding, "Someday." The two hoped that they would see each other again. They've grown to be good friends, after all.

The two of them then hugged before Astrid moved back over to Peter as she began, "Peter-"

"I'm going with you wherever, love," Peter replied, "The two of us— We're stronger together. You taught me that. I'm with you forever and always."

"Always and forever," Astrid softly laughed, kissing him on the lips as he kissed her back more deeply. "I love you."

"And I love you." Peter smirked before adding, linking their hands together, "Ready to do this?"

"Yeah," Astrid nodded before glancing at all of her family whom she loves dearly and then felt her magic combine with her betrothed's.

Their interlocked hands began to glow brightly just as a wave of light magic flooded throughout the room and then another and another and one final more surge of powerful, pure magic ran through her and Peter and then through the room and the whole town.

Then everything went black.

***

Everyone was now celebrating at Granny's that night, things having gone back to normal-- well, normal for them, anyway.

Everyone's happy endings had been restored, except for Gold and Zelena in a sense.

Robin was currently sitting with Regina, both happily laughing and talking with one another, while Emma was with Hook as Snow was beside David.

"I already miss her," Emma sighed sadly.

"Me too." David agreed before adding, his eyes watery slightly, "I'm proud of her, though. Astrid is a hero. I hope wherever she is, she at least gets her happy ending with Peter."

Hook nodded and replied, "Aye. She deserves every bit of good that comes into her life."

"Mom. Mom." Henry rushed inside while carrying the magical quill and storybook in his hands, "Look... I'm the new Author. Isaac isn't anymore. Maybe I can write Astrid and Peter back here with us."

"What does the Sorcerer say about that?" Emma curiously asked, hope now gleaming in her eyes as she thought of the return of her sister.

"I don't know. We should go ask." Henry shrugged.

The group then left out of the diner to go find the said Sorcerer then to find out about their beloved archery-loving Viking/pirate eighteen year old.

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