The only thing I can think of is if Tiger Lily is actually with Gideon. Like romantically. They met in the dark realm bc Black Fairy took her too. And they “fast grew up” together. Then Gideon left to perform this mission in storybrooke and Tiger Lily is still in the dark realm right now with Black Fairy, and Gideon promised he would be back as the new Savior to save her, defeat the Black Fairy, and save the dark realm.