Okay, so... Hear me out here.
The Olympian Crystal (or whatever that nightmare dildo was called) sent Robin’s soul to... someplace weird. Like, Hades said it obliterated it, but then there were feathers and stuff, and so it’s not entirely gone, just somewhere weird. And it probably did the same thing to Hades, as well, maybe, although it seemed to actually obliterate him and turn him into a pile of dust, so whatevs.
Peter Pan and Auntie Em both ended up getting obliterated by water from the River of Souls, and Milah and a bunch of other people all ended up in the River of Souls, which allegedly obliterated their souls and left them empty husks. But after Hades left, souls started coming OUT of the river, which Hook and Arthur observed as odd, and credited to things “changing” with Hades gone.
Okay, so that’s all canon stuff. You still with me? Okay, keep following.
In the Princess and the Frog movie, Dr. Facilier is what would be called a “bokor” - basically, a voodoo witch doctor who uses the spirits of the dead and zombies as key elements in their magic. Basically, they excel at turning live people into zombie slaves and capturing the souls of deceased people, which they keep in fetishes (no, not THOSE kinds of fetishes, these are sacred objects imbued with magic) to strengthen their own powers.
Basically, we have a bunch of souls in canon that have been ripped free or (wild air quotes) “obliterated” or otherwise decommissioned... and now a necromancer who works with trapped souls of the dead. Perhaps those “obliterated” souls from the Underworld didn’t go to such a strange place after all. Maybe, just maybe, they’re in Dr. Facilier’s various gems and knick knacks.
I think the rumors of a Regina/Facilier romance are a red herring. I think Regina is getting close to “Samedi” in order to get on his good side, possibly so that the curse can be broken if Facilier 'captures’ Henry’s soul when he dies from the poison, then restores his soul back to life with his magic (and possibly an assist from those eight witches).
And if this is something Facilier is capable of, and if he’s brought around to the side of “good” or offered something in exchange for his services...
He could restore Robin. Regina’s true love, and the best match for her to end the series with. (Yes, I’m a Hooked Queen shipper through and through, but even I have to admit that reviving OQ for the series ending makes more sense). Robin (the female one) would also be able to meet and form a relationship with her father - and Zelena’s redemption arc would be completed with Robin (the male one) acknowledging the fine job she’s done raising their daughter and having kept his memory alive for her (evidenced by her skill and training in Robin’s weapon of choice). His forgiveness for the wrong she’s done would be a fitting end for Zelena’s story of redemption.
But Facilier could also restore Milah. Much has been said on both sides about the idea of Rogers/Wish Hook having a love interest... but no one’s considered the possibility of him ending up with Hook’s original true love. Until he met Emma Swan and fell for her, Storybrooke!Hook couldn’t imagine ever loving anyone other than Milah. He loved her, passionately and endlessly, for centuries. Which means that a Hook who has not experienced any of the events from S2 on is likely still just as in love with Milah. And ending the series with her returning to his arms would be a perfect happy ending for Wish Hook. And, similarly to the Robin/Zelena finish, we could also see Milah learn of the true changes Rumple has made, how he even grew to care for and protect Hook’s daughter, and likewise forgive him for the wrongs he’s done to her.
And while Peter Pan’s return could be fraught with danger and troubles, it could also be a chance for Rumple to make peace with his father before he passes on. There’s also the prophecy about “the boy” being his undoing. Perhaps Peter Pan is the boy in question... and he will play a pivotal role in bringing about the death Rumplestiltskin is now looking for.
