Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11464223-20131219213043/@comment-24204131-20131220061544

It would'nt have mattered if Neal went with Emma and Henry, he still would've been taken by the curse. The curse as Regina said "would take everyody back to where they came from".

Since Neal was born in the Enchanted forest, he had to go back. So why didnt Emma go back since she was born in the Enchanted forest? Well shes the saviour, she was destined to escape the curse, so once again she can escape the same one.

Even if he went past the town line, he "doesnt belong here, none of us do". He doesnt belong in the WWM so he had to go back.