See previous chapters for summaries and warnings.

Thanks for the incredible response to this fic! Keep the reviews coming.

Once more, it is important to remember that Cora has cursed Kathryn to be this way and she is the Evil Queen here. She married Leopold. Regina and Snow are step-sisters and love each other. Thanks for all the reviews. Except the negative troll reviews. I delete those and respond to them accordingly. This story is for true Snowing fans that know something like an age gap would never hinder their love.

The curse has lasted 20 years in this verse until they found Storybrooke.

Here are individual responses:

Grace5231973: Yep, I'm sure you know exactly what the evil little man child wants, but you're right, it's time for this curse to end and we're inching closer and closer. This chapter is building up to what will be an epic showdown!

Ghostwriter: Yep, Pan has an eye on Storybrooke. So glad you're enjoying this fic and all my others. :)

Jennifer Baratta: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Number Ten: I know, I hope Kathryn wakes up soon too, but Cora has a hold on her. Yeah, I can't really blame Tink either for not wanting time to start moving again, because that means Pan will be un-frozen. Yes, Snowing has some alone time in this chapter, before all hell breaks loose. :)

Sexystarwarslover: I know, Cora's plan is very bad. Yep, it's about to storm like a bitch to quote Emma. Yep, the results are hard for them to get their heads around. Yep, Archie is team Charming for sure. Yep, Charming would do anything for his beloved Snow. Yeah, Snowing doesn't really know how to be discreet. I would not be upset if Cora met her demise either. Yeah, little David is adorable and just like his mama. I know, Snow is the best mother and I love protective August. Actually, it's Tink that wants to keep it in tact so Pan won't wake up. But yeah, that's still not going to fly. Glad you're enjoying it!

AnonSnowing: Glad you liked the little drabble. It was a perfect way to write that bet for you. Yes, Kathryn is going to spending a lot of time with Archie when this is all over. She's going to be horrified. Yep, Michael is going to be baffled, but you're right, Greg isn't as surprised as he should be and definitely up to something. Yep, that's the basic story minus the fairy tale stuff. Yeah, no one is brave enough to cross Cora until now. I liked that scene too where Charming saved Snow from going dark. Yeah, I love that he makes her feel beautiful too. Yeah, those thoughts definitely crossed his mind, but Snow only loves him. I love that Emma grew up hearing about true love too. Things are about to get very hectic so hopefully Neal won't be going anywhere, because they have bigger problems. Yep, August loves her, because she raised him so she's mom. Yes, Snowing will live, but it's going to be a bumpy ride. Glad you're enjoying it. :)

A Darker Curse

Chapter 25: Boiling Point

Snow and David collapsed amidst the climax of their passion and they took in gasps of air, while they slowly came down from their euphoric high. Snow lay cuddled against him, as he pillowed her head on his chest and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"I love you so much…" he whispered. She looked at him with a dreamy stare.

"I don't know how I lived without this for twenty years…" she swooned. He smirked.

"Glad to know I didn't lose my touch," he teased.

"You definitely did not, Prince Charming, but there was never any worry of that," she purred, as their lips met again in short, passionate locks.

"Mmm...I could make love to you for eternity and I'd never get enough," he whispered in a husky tone.

"Well...good thing eternity is exactly what we have, my handsome prince," she whispered in his ear. He grinned and kissed her again and her body thrilled, as his hand slid down her side and sensually down her leg. He lifted her leg and hooked it around his waist and she moaned, as his hands worked magic again and his lips moved down her neck.

"Charming…" she gasped, as she combed her fingers through his hair and the ministrations of his strong hands on her body and his soft lips drove her mad. Her writhing and singing of his name spurred him on and lovemaking began anew, as he proved he had neither lost his skill nor stamina. Her back bowed and she raked her nails sensually along his back, until he shuddered against her and they rode another climax together in perfect sync, before collapsing again.

"Oh…" Snow sighed, as her body still trembled and he spooned her against him. He pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder and then to the shell of her ear, giving her goosebumps.

"Mmm...it's almost seven. We're going to be late for dinner at Granny's," she mentioned.

"Yeah...we should probably clean up and get going," he agreed. She bit her bottom lip and turned in his arms.

"We could clean up together…" she said. He grinned.

"That will make us even later…" he warned, but she shrugged.

"They'll understand...we have a lot of time to make up for," she said, as she took him by the arm and led him into the bathroom with her. He kissed her passionately and deeply, as they stumbled toward the shower. She turned away and moaned, as he kissed the back of her neck, as she tried to get the water turned on. She finally managed to turn it on and they got in, as steam billowed around them and they became lost in each other once again.


August walked briskly along the streets of Storybrooke on his way to Granny's. He was anxious to tell his family about his conversation with Tinkerbell. She wanted to take Emma away from Storybrooke so the curse could never be broken and they had to find a way to stop her. He was so focused on what he was doing that he collided with someone and nearly fell over, but managed to keep on his feet.

"You…" August said, as he saw that he had bumped into Greg Mendell.

"Ah...Mr. Swan, I was actually looking for your mother. Care to tell me where she is?" Greg asked. August snorted.

"Oh I think you know that's not going to happen," August refuted.

"We just got the DNA results back. Care to tell me how it's possible that a man your age fathered your sister, who is only a few years younger than you?" Greg questioned.

"Nope," August refused again, as he pushed past the man, brushing his shoulder when he was suddenly hit with one an oncoming trance.

"Something the matter?" Greg questioned, as he was ignored, but watched curiously, as the other man pulled a large, brown leather book out of his bag. August stumbled away though, as he didn't want to go into one of his trance's around the outsider. But he couldn't ignore the call for long and collapsed onto the nearest bench. He opened the book and extracted his glowing pen, as he began writing.

Greg caught up to him and curiously observed what was happening, not quite sure what to make of it. It was only a few moments before August came out of the trance and was able to look over what he had written. But it was not at all what he expected. And Greg was incredibly surprised as well.

"How...how do you know about this day?!" he demanded to know, as he swiped the book and looked at the pages. He put his hand on the illustration of his father that he had watched appear on the page like magic.

"Wait...is this you?" August asked, as he read the text.

"Your Dad...he was killed when everyone came over with the curse," he muttered and then heard the cocking of a gun. He closed his eyes and sighed. He should have seen that coming and realized that digging on the dark web for answers about their outside guests might not be necessary now.

"You're going to tell me everything you know about this...this...demonic town," Greg hissed.

"If you're looking for someone to blame for your father's death...then you can look no further than Cora Mills," August answered.

"Then you can explain why while you lead me to her," Greg said, as he prodded him to get up with the gun. August got up and started walking.

"I don't know where she is and she doesn't give a damn about me. I'm not a good hostage if you're looking to get to Cora," he warned.

"She has a daughter...take me to her," Greg demanded. August snorted.

"Cora doesn't even care about her own daughter, at least not in the way she should. Don't you get it? The only person that Cora cares about is Cora," he warned, as he slowly turned to face him, even as Greg still held the gun on him.

"She needs to pay," Greg hissed.

"You're right...we agree on that," August said, as he flipped through the book and showed him another page.

"She has hurt my mother more deeply than anyone and we want her to pay as much as you. Believe me...the whole town will once they wake up," August explained.

"Wake up?" Greg asked in confusion.

"Read the book if you want to, but know that the reason this town is here is because of Cora. She did all this. She ripped families apart and everyone else here are victims, just like you," he replied.

"How can I trust you? How do I know that you're not lying?" Greg questioned.

"Because everything he said is true. Cora destroys every life she can and she does it with glee...including mine," Tink said, as she arrived. Greg looked at her in confusion.

"Tia?" he asked, but she didn't answer him.

"Thought you didn't care what Cora does to this town. As long as you get what you want," August said bitterly.

"You think I want to lock your sister up?" Tink asked. He snorted.

"You made it pretty clear that you weren't going to stop until you did, but if you think her parents won't unleash holy hell on you if you try...then you're not very smart," August replied.

"You think I'm afraid of Emma's parents?" Tink questioned.

"You should be," he warned.

"Maybe we can make another deal," Tink said. He rolled his eyes.

"I don't bargain with psychopaths...especially with the one you work for," August retorted. Tink clenched her teeth.

"That psychopath wakes up if your sister breaks this curse," she reminded him.

"And if she doesn't...no one wakes up and Cora continues to terrorize my family!" he said hotly.

"Or...we arrest Cora and take her to prison in Portland, Maine. I have Home Office connections there that can make it happen. It's not like we can't find real evidence of countless crimes she's committed," Tink said.

"What about Emma and Neal?" he asked.

"If we take Cora out of the equation and she promises not to break the curse...then everyone wins. We can't make Neal's charges go away, but it's not like anyone else can get in here without this magical map that Cora sent to us," she said, as she held it up in front of him. He sighed.

"I'm not sure my Mom will go for that. It still means people she cares about will be cursed," he said.

"But they'll be safe with Cora gone and can be happy without the fear of her hanging over them," she reasoned.

"I can live with it, honestly...but you have to sell this to my family," he said.

"Then let's go," she replied

"Hey...wait just a minute," he demanded, as he pulled the gun on them again.

"Can you do something with him?" Tink asked.

"I can't abuse the power of the pen like that," he replied. She rolled her eyes and stalked up to him.

"Put the gun down, Greg. Cora is going to pay. She is the reason your father is dead...her and no one else in this town," she reasoned with him.

"But Tamara said…" he started to say.

"Forget what Tamara said! She wants to blow up this town, because she hates magic and I know that you only really care about making the person that killed your father pay. Stick with us...and we'll see that it's done," Tink promised, as she held out her hand.

"Give me the gun...because Cora is going down, but everyone else in this town is innocent of her crimes," she added. He sighed and gave her the gun.

"Fine...but please tell me what the hell is going on and why did you tell me to read a book of fairy tales? What does that have to do with any of this?" he asked.

"That's not just a book of fairy tales...it's a history book. Of everyone in this town and since you're in the book now, you should know why," August replied, as they made their way to the loft.


Snow moaned into his kiss again, as she sat straddled in his lap. They had managed to finish showering and somehow got dressed, but only made it as far as the couch before they were becoming lost in each other again.

"You know...maybe we can just ask Emma to bring us home some takeout," she suggested. He grinned.

"I really like that idea," he agreed. Just as she was about to call their daughter, there was a knock at their door.

"I wonder who that is?" he asked. She reluctantly got up and straightened her clothes.

"Probably just Auggie...he's always forgetting his keys," she mentioned, as she went to the door. But she gasped, as she was staring into the barrel of a gun when she did.

"Snow!" David cried, but the cocking of the weapon stopped him in his tracks.

"I'd advise you not to move...unless you'd like a hole in her pretty little head," Cora warned, as she swept into the apartment. But David saw the uncertain look on Kathryn's face.

"Kathryn...think about what you're doing. This isn't really you," he tried to reason.

"He's just trying to get you to lower the gun away from his precious Mary Margaret. She is all he cares about. You might as well be trash," Cora told her, which seemed to bolster her, pushing her from uncertainty back to furious.

"Shut up…" she snapped to him and Snow cried out, as the blonde grabbed her by the hair, before putting her in a headlock.

"Kathryn please...don't do this…" he pleaded, as she pressed the barrel to Snow's head.

"Cora is right...I might as well be invisible…" she hissed, as he started to reach for his wife, but she pressed the gun harder against the raven haired beauty's head.

"Don't move!" she warned, as her fury took over.

"Damn you...you just can't stand not touching her for five seconds, can you?" Kathryn complained in disgust.

"When we were married...I begged you to touch me! But you never wanted me...I had to force you into bed!" she cried.

"Kathryn…" he started to say.

"Shut up!" she screamed in fury.

"I begged you to be with me...but you wouldn't!" she shouted.

"But her...you just can't keep your hands off her!" she said in disgust.

"I can even smell you all over her!" she added.

"But divorcing me wasn't enough...your bratty son had to print that article about my family. We're ruined because of you!" Kathryn cried.

"And they will pay for it, my dear Kathryn," Cora cooed and David looked at her.

"Taking us hostage won't stop our daughter. She'll break your curse, regardless of what you do to us," he warned. But Cora smirked.

"Oh no...she won't be doing anything once this town implodes. Welcome back, by the way, though I've known all this time that you were awake," she said. David looked at his wife and then back at the evil woman.

"How?" he asked. She smirked.

"My loyal Sheriff Graham bugged the station weeks ago. I know all about what you found in the cave beneath the toll bridge. You were wise to have Mr. Gold hide it from me, but that doesn't matter now," she said.

"We're going on a little trip to the mines and you're going to walk there calmly. One wrong move and I'll happily pull that trigger myself and put a bullet in her skull...with glee," Cora warned him. He turned and looked at his frightened wife.

"It's gonna be okay…" he promised.

"Stop lying to her and walk, Prince Charming, because for you two, it's going to be anything but fine when I am done," Cora hissed.


Emma checked her phone again and put some more fries on her son's tray.

"Man...they're never this late. I wonder what's holding them up?" Emma questioned. Neal chuckled.

"You sure you want to know the answer to that?" he asked rhetorically, as he ate another onion ring.

"Eww...no," she complained, as she lightly smacked his arm.

"Yeah...at least you've never walked in on them. Trust me...there's not enough alcohol for that," Regina complained, though in amusement, as she sipped at her drink and then winced.

"You really need to teach them how to make a good appletini...cause this one is not," she complained to her boyfriend. Ethan had joined them and so they had been careful about exactly what they were discussing, because of him and Lacey. Regina was very happy for her sister, but she longed for her own husband to remember. Being with him as Ethan had been wonderful, but she missed the part of him that was Robin deeply and she swore her mother was going to pay for it all.

"Well...this is a diner. Appletini's aren't their specialty," he said, as he took a bite of his lasagna.

"Mmm...and not lasagna either," he complained. She smirked.

"Or maybe I just spoiled you with mine," she teased and he smiled.

"Yours is the best I've ever had," he agreed. Emma looked up, as the bell rang on the diner, but was disappointed to see that it wasn't her parents. And the look on August's face gave her a bad feeling.

"Mom and David aren't here?" he asked, as she noticed the blonde detective with him and the assistant district attorney from Portland.

"No...they're still home. They should be here soon I hope," Emma replied.

"No, they're not," August said, with a quiver in his voice.

"What?" Emma asked.

"I was just at the loft, Em...they're not there," August replied and she swallowed thickly.

"Maybe...they just went for a walk?" Neal suggested.

"I've called Mom three times and it goes straight to voicemail. David's phone too...something is wrong," August said, as he groaned and started to go into one of his trances. Emma jumped up and helped him sit down, as he opened the book and the pen glowed. Emma peered over her brother's shoulder and gasped.

"Oh my God…" she uttered.

"She has your parents…" Neal uttered.

"That's not all she has," Rumple said, as his eyes were wide with fear.

"Papa...what is it?" Neal asked.

"A trigger," August answered for him.

"Trigger?" Regina asked. Lacey and Ethan were completely lost at what was going on, as was everyone else in the diner, but August's strange trance had not gone unnoticed.

"This...it may look like a diamond, but it is a trigger that will allow Cora to destroy everything...literally," Gold said.

"Wait...what?" Neal asked.

"If this is activated...then it will literally wipe the town off the map and let her start over, while killing the rest of us," August answered.

"Except…" he started to say.

"Except what?" Emma asked with bated breath.

"There's no magic yet...it's hard to say without it on what scale the destruction will be," August replied.

"He's right...it could still be very bad though, maybe worse," Gold said.

"How is it worse than total obliteration?" Regina questioned.

"Because total obliteration would be quick and painless. Partial destruction is possible here and would mean the possibility of survival, but not without suffering. In any case, I really have no idea what scenario we will be dealing with," he told her. Regina pursed her lips.

"Then we stop it...we need to get to the mines," Regina said, as they got up.

"Neal...you need to take little David and get out of here in case we can't stop this," Emma said.

"No...I'm not leaving you!" he protested.

"There may still be a way to counteract the trigger if it is activated," Rumple said.

"Then why the hell didn't you say that before?" Regina snapped.

"Because I don't know if it will work at all, a little, a lot...I don't know," he snapped back and she sighed.

"The sapling...it's made of pure true love's magic, like you Miss Swan. It could foil Cora or minimize the damage," he said.

"Or it could do nothing...and if it does nothing, we need to get people as far away from the epicenter as possible," Regina replied.

"Papa and I'll get the sapling," Neal decided.

"Emma, Regina, and I will go after Mom and David," August said, as he stood up.

"Tink...can you, Ethan, and Lacey start leading people toward the town line. If the worst happens, get everyone over the town line," August suggested.

"How do you suggest we get everyone to follow us?" Tink asked.

"Because it's an order for their safety from their new Mayor," Regina announced, as they left, with Neal and Rumple heading for the shop with little David, while August, Emma, and Regina took off for the mines to save Snow and David. And hopefully, stop the coming disaster...