AN: Thanks for all the incredible responses! Keep them coming! I know replies get long, but I love that so many are still following me on the incredible journey that is this story. See previous chapter for explanation on realms. Now that the realms are united, everyone is on Storybrooke time and aging for adults is very slow due to the Chalice.
Thanks for the great reviews! Keep them coming! The feedback gives this story life, so please consider leaving a review! Unless you're a troll, because then your reviews get deleted. You can also follow me on Tumblr Lilacmoon83. All my stories, plus artwork is posted there, as well as all things Snowing and Charming family. So give me a follow!
This story is now updated bi-weekly. As always, reviews on all stories are very much appreciated, so please consider leaving reviews. :)
Below is a comprehensive list of face claims and all can be googled.
Face Claims:
Leo Charming Nolan: Matt Lanter
Eva Charming Nolan: Bailee Madison
Summer Charming Nolan: Joey King(young) and Luna Blaise(older)
Bobby Charming Nolan: Logan Lerman
Christopher Sean: Dr. Paul Sakura
Aphrodite: a blonde Ginnifer Goodwin
Xander(Robert) Nolan Charming: David Cubitt(the actor they cast for Robert in canon)
Clayton(even though he's finally dead): Vincent Irizarry
Mephisto: Formerly, Henry Fonda. Newly – Jeff Kober
Amora the Enchantress: Laura Dern
Seth: Rami Malek (which pains me, cause I adore him, but I have based Seth on Set from Egyptian mythology as well as Typhon from Greek Mythology so using Rami Malek as an Egyptian God is too perfect). He is my favorite part of the Night at the Museum movies.
The Major, Patricia Donovan: Camryn Manheim
Zorro: Galen Gering
Nick: Danny Pino
Angela: Jordana Brewster
Hermes: Nakia Burrise
Prince John: Paul Giamatti
Sir Hiss: Jesse Eisenberg
JJ: Garrett Wareing
Nora: Mae Whitman
Queen Serenity: Sarah Michelle Gellar
King Endymion: Freddie Prinze Jr.
Apollo: Amir Arison
Artemis: Rachel Leigh Cook
Drizella Tremaine (1.0): Melanie Lynskey – Drizella Tremaine 2.0(Ivy Belfry) is still Adelaide Kane.
Rodmilla Tremaine: Angelica Houston
Johnny Clayton(Junior): Paul Telfer
Natalie Zearing: Melissa Roxburgh
Thalia Zearing: Stacey Haiduk
Hera: Melissa Archer
Zeus: Greg Vaughan
Dione: Arianne Zucker
Athena: Catherine Sutherland
Nyx: Selma Blair
The agents:
Agent Tessa Green: Sasha Alexander
Agent: Brian Dorsey: Scott Porter
Agent Danielle Harding: Ellen Tamaki
Sirius Clayton: Billy Zane
John Clayton(the first): Hank Azaria
John Clayton(the second): Thaao Penghlis
Malina Pizarro: Alicia Coppola
Dr. Hector La Guerra: David Dayan Fisher
Adam Rodriguez: Santo
Cote de Pablo: Irina
Zia: Camila Banus
The Dragon Queen(Zia Troyano): Julia Jones
The Dragon King(Esteban Zhu Ling): Michael Copon
Mendoza: Javier Bardem
Tao Xang Li: Jay Laga'aia
Queen Nubia: Nadia Bjorlin
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Special Note: Since there is some question, technically, Leo and Eros are NOT related. On a DNA level, only James is related to David. Anchises is not and it will be explained how and why.
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Jaime-Leann: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: Yeah, I'm not surprised that the fab five are heavy sleepers either. This crisis was barely a blip on the radar. Drizella is crazy and she gets even crazier in this chapter, lol. I think the only reason Jekyll puts up with her is she is a "useful idiot" so to speak. Yep, I have come up with my own little twist on the Crane story that I hope is unique and will be enjoyable. Yeah, I've only seen bits and pieces of the stories out there and decided to take a little from here and there to make my version. Hope you enjoy. :)
Grace5231973: Yep, that one was a lite version so hopefully they're ready for the next one! Glad you're enjoying! :)
Lemoncello 158: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Baratta Jennifer: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ghostwriter: Thanks, glad you liked it. It was quite a chapter. I hope you like what I came up with for Sleepy Hollow. I think it's a bit of a twist in things. :)
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, Summer and Bobby slept thru this crisis, lol. They're so used to chaos that this one was barely a blip on the radar. Yep, they had some sexy fun. It was very hot and passionate and always seems to be with Snowing. Yeah, Drizella is crazy and gets crazier in this chapter. Of course Jekyll is jealous, because he knows he can never compete with Charming. Yep, if they could have, Snowing would have just stayed in bed all day. Yep, and I think I came up with a bit of a twist on Sleepy Hollow. Lol, yeah I needed a chisel chin line in there again. Yeah, the munchkins meant well, but unfortunately, the flowers were a trap. Yep, they're going to try something with a blackout. Yep, David got really close to ending him, because Jekyll stupidly underestimated him again. Glad you're enjoying the story, as always! :)
AnonSnowing: Nope, there is no sexier man than Charming, for sure. Yeah, I miss David making breakfast too. He might have to kick the staff out some mornings. He's King, after all. He can do that. Lol, Snow is foxy for sure. Yeah, they probably know enough not to go in based on experience. Nope, that's one thing Regina thankfully fixed about their mirrors. Yeah, he was right for once about Drizella. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, lol. I know, it is weird seeing characters like Zorro and even Rose using phones. Yeah, Regina learned to give them an hour so they would actually show up on time. I actually do that with my sister. They did deserve the extra hour though. A Sleepy Hollow museum does sound fun. As for Ichabod Crane, I think I came up with an interesting twist on the story. I like that each mission will have a different team with Snowing and Bobby. Yeah, that is one crazy loon that shouldn't have magic.
Yep, Crane may be going to wake the horseman and cause untold chaos. I'm glad you like my twists and hope you'll like this one too. Yep, Drizella gets worse by the minute and that's true here too. She gets worse again in this chapter. Yeah, at this point, Snow just needs to kick her ass. She's full on delusional. Yeah, at least no munchkins were seriously harmed. She may be. She may be becoming the Evil Queen 2.0. They were the flowers given to Snow by the munchkins, but they didn't know they were bad flowers planted by Creepyl. Yeah, Drizella and Jekyll is a really bad combination. Both are crazy and one is also a genius, which makes him incredibly dangerous. Yep, they managed to get a tiny bit of Snowing blood so that won't bode well. Yep, the power grid is almost completely protected, but this is Once, so there is always a loophole somewhere. Yeah, no connection. He's just so creepy that she can feel his evil a mile away. Yep, David is way smarter than he thinks, especially when it comes to battle and he got very close to ending Jekyll.
Yep, a blackout to cause some chaos and it interrupted Snowing's alone time. Fortunately, they didn't have enough ink to do a lot of damage. This time. They were thwarted again. Yep, it was a call back to 4A. Yep, the youngest Charmings slept through this one. Thanks, glad you think so. :)
Gaby2019: Thanks, glad you like my stories. I will always accept and consider suggestions, so feel free to leave them. I just can't guarantee that I will use them. As of now, I haven't really decided what path I want Eva and Paul to go on the subject of children, but will consider this idea. Hope you continue to enjoy! :)
Finding You Always
Chapter 225: Foolish Games
"And Good Morning United Realms!" Le Fou said.
"For some, but once again, the United Realms had a bit of a snafu last night with a nice little blackout," Goldilocks replied.
"Oh now, Goldie...you know those pesky villains," Le Fou joked.
"Yep...those pesky villains that are always attacking us, because of everyone's favorite royals," she complained. Le Fou let out a fake laugh.
"Yeah...it's never a dull moment with those Charmings, for sure. But they saved the day again and all is well," he said.
"Until the next villain rampage. But until then, we'll head over to Scuttle for the weather. But don't forget to join us later today when we cover today's Royal Tribunal," she replied.
"That's right...we are having our first Royal Tribunal, as the Blue Fairy faces capital offenses. I'd say her goose is cooked for sure," he said.
"I don't know, Le Fou...if there's one thing that the famous Snow White and Prince Charming aren't known for...it's seeing that justice is actually served," Goldie said snidely. They continued to drone on, but David shut it off and put his arms around her from behind.
"Don't listen to that trash," he chided gently.
"She's not exactly wrong…" Snow mentioned.
"Yes, she is," he insisted.
"Charming...I have not been strong on justice. I have forgiven our enemies and let them come back to hurt us later," she said.
"You were merciful when it came to Regina...and we know now that was not a mistake," he reminded her.
"But she's the only one. We didn't go far enough with Jekyll and now he's back. You were right about not contacting him in the netherworld...and I insisted. Now he's back," she said.
"No...we got the reversal of the serum made, because of that and reunited with our darker halves. Besides, we don't know that Mephisto wouldn't have found him in the netherworld anyway," he replied.
"Maybe...but I let Blue run free and the moment she felt threatened by the truth coming out, an innocent fairy died for it," she said, as the guilt ate at her. He put his hands on her shoulders.
"That's not your fault…" he insisted.
"Even if it isn't...Drizella is free, Jekyll is free, and Mephisto, just to name a few," she said.
"And none of that is your fault either. Drizella and her mother would have never been released if we hadn't been gone during the time of their parole. And Mephisto...we will deal with him too. We didn't show his minions mercy and the only reason he survived is that he fled before we could destroy him too," he replied.
"You have nothing to prove to anyone, least of all those media talking heads. You are an amazing leader and very few question that," he assured her.
"Then you think we're doing the right thing here? I mean...if I was confident that she could never get out of prison, then I wouldn't consider the death penalty, but how many times have our enemies escaped whatever prison we have put them in?" she asked.
"We are most definitely doing the right thing. She is a danger to every realm and if I thought life in prison was without the possibility of escape for her, then I wouldn't consider capital punishment either. But with her...we just can't. She's too dangerous to be kept alive," David said. She nodded.
"Then we better get ready…" Snow said, as she started toward her closet, but not before he pulled her back and kissed her passionately. His kiss was soul searing and made her knees weak, as usual. When their lips parted, she gave him a dreamy smile.
"Never doubt how amazing you are," he said.
"With you...how can I? You make me feel like I'm the most beautiful woman in all the realms and that I can do anything," she replied. He smiled.
"That's because you are and you can, because you're an incredible person," he said, as she took his hand and they proceeded to get ready for royal duties that they were not looking forward to, but that were very necessary.
Rose was deeply involved in a book that morning when one of her handmaidens came into the library.
"My Queen...you have a visitor," she said, as she bowed curtly.
"Thank you Bianca," Rose said, as she put her book down and Eva entered the library.
"Oh Eva...it's good to see you," Rose said, as she stood up.
"It's good to see you too...and I have those test results. I didn't have many other patients today, so I thought I would come deliver the news in person," she replied.
"Well...don't keep me in suspense," Rose said. Eva beamed a bright smile.
"It's positive...you're pregnant. Almost nine weeks along, so I want to see you soon for an exam," she said excitedly, as Rose's smile soon matched hers and they shared a hug.
"Thank you...oh I cannot wait to tell Fandral," she gushed.
"Tell me what, my angel?" he asked, as he entered the library, having returned from his morning rounds with the Zorro. Eva smiled and hugged her quickly again.
"It's good to see you, Fandral. I'll give you both some time," Eva said, as she left. Fandra watched her go curiously, as he approached his wife.
"What…" he said, but she cut him off by kissing him passionately. He was momentarily surprised, but then melted into her kiss, as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Wow…" he said, as their lips parted briefly and then he initiated another kiss, which continued with him trailing kisses down her neck.
"I thought you wanted to know what I needed to tell you?" she asked, though she was quickly losing her own focus at his amorous ministrations.
"I do...but you're very distracting," he said in a husky tone.
"Now...tell me," he requested and she smiled.
"Eva came by with my test results...I didn't want to say anything until I was sure," she replied. His brow furrowed in concern.
"Test results? Are you ill, my love?" he asked, as trepidation crept into his voice.
"No...not all, actually. I'm...pregnant," she revealed and a smile eclipsed his face.
"You're sure?" he asked and she nodded. He picked her up and spun her around, before kissing her again.
"How far along?" he asked.
"Nine weeks…" she replied.
"Let's go tell the children," he suggested, as they shared another kiss and went to deliver the news.
Jekyll and Grimm watched the replay of the events that occurred the night before on a laptop.
"Well...considering our limited amount of ink, that went fairly well," Grimm said, as he watched Jekyll get stabbed by the Prince.
"Easy for you to say...you didn't have a sword passing through you," Jekyll snapped.
"Your mistake is thinking that, even with your powers, you can take on someone like the infamous Prince Charming," Elias pointed out. Jekyll slammed his fist on the table.
"I can take him on! I am more powerful...and I will burn him to ash!" Jekyll promised.
"He has love on his side...a love that none have been able to defeat, at least in the long run," Grimm warned.
"Then I will find a way…" Jekyll said with determination.
"We need more of their mixed blood to make the magical ink or nothing we want will be realized," Grimm replied.
"Then our goal right now is to find another way to obtain more blood, without their knowledge, of course," Jekyll said, as Drizella entered his lab and their eyes widened.
"What in the world…" Jekyll uttered.
"That woman is batshit," Grimm deadpanned. Drizella floated toward them, dressed in a wedding gown and her usual overdone makeup.
"I would ask if you have lost your mind, woman...but then we all know the answer to that," Jekyll said. She smirked.
"Oh no...because I will be marrying Charming and soon," she replied.
"And how do you plan to accomplish that? Nevermind that he's already married and is repulsed by you," Grimm said.
"He will be mine!" she snapped, as she looked at him on her phone and then stormed out.
"Wow...teaming up with her was a mistake. She's a loose canon," Grimm mentioned.
"Let her enact whatever lunacy she has planned. She will be a nice distraction for them while we work in the background. In the meantime, I hope you have been working on some better minions than last night's wraiths," Jekyll mentioned.
"With the limited ink I had...they were all I could come up with on the fly," Grimm said, with a glare.
"But since then...I think I've come up with a few inspired characters to bring to life when we have more blood ink," he added, as he showed the doctor some of his latest illustrations.
The atrium of their castle this morning was in full military fanfare, as soldiers from their army, as well as many of Fandral's men lined the atrium. Their closest friends and family were gathered as well. They weren't sure about allowing Summer and Bobby to attend, but they decided it would be okay since the actual execution would not be done publicly. Snow and David descended the stairs arm in arm, him in his formal red coat and her in a gold gown, complete with her tiara.
"Good afternoon, United Realms. Le Fou here, along with my co-star, Goldilocks," Le Fou said, as the camera started rolling for the reporters.
"As you can see, we're here at the castle of Queen Snow White and King David for the royal tribunal of the Blue Fairy. Queen Snow has promised to finally deliver justice, though I don't think anyone is holding their breath on that," Goldilocks said snidely. That was the moment that the camera mysteriously broke and the microphone in Goldie's hand sparked.
"Which one of you retch's did that?!" she accused, as the Charming children stood nearby, all with glares.
"That would be me…" Bobby confessed.
"Talking about our Mom like that is going to get that kind of response," Leo warned.
"Yeah...so see yourselves out or we'll help you with that too," Emma threatened, as the two reporters scurried out. They would surely do some sort of hit piece on their family later on their trashy show, but none of them could be bothered to care.
The castle doors swung open as they left and Blue was led in by Zorro and James, in cuffs, and she came to stand before the Throne. James joined Aphrodite, while Zorro stood to the side with the other Knights.
"Finally...justice," Rumple hissed. She heard him and they shared a glare.
"Reul Ghorm…" David stated sternly.
"You're charged with murder and crimes against the crown. How do you plead?" he asked. She gave him a smug glower.
"Not guilty...but that doesn't matter. I know my fate and my only regret is that I did not inflict more pain and succeed in destroying the bimbo Goddess," Blue said, as she glared at Aphrodite.
"And Rumpelstiltskin," she added.
"In fact...I am also sorry that I didn't manage to rip the two of you apart when I had the chance!" she hissed.
"I can't believe I ever trusted you," Snow said.
"Oh poor Princess...you were always an easy mark. Sweet, but so naïve and full of useless hope," Blue spat.
"And even now...you're questioning whether you should have my sentence carried out. You're wondering if I can be redeemed, but rest assured, I wouldn't hesitate to destroy you both given one last chance," she continued.
"Then you've sealed your fate," Snow said, as she swallowed thickly.
"Reul Ghorm...you are guilty of the crimes stated and will face the death penalty, via lethal injection to be carried out immediately," David ordered, as he motioned to his Knights. As they came forward though, her eyes flashed in one last ditch effort to escape. One of the Knights proceeded to unlock her cuffs, having been put momentarily under her control.
"She's free…" Rumple warned, as he hurled a fireball at her and she batted it away.
"Not today...Dark One," she hissed, as she used her wings to fly into the air.
"Don't let her escape!" Rumple called, as Leo shot a bolt of lightning at her, one that she avoided, as she did with the other blasts of magic hurled her way. But Rumple managed to hit her just right, obliterating her wings and she fell hard to the floor.
"She's too dangerous...even to just execute," Aphrodite said, as they watched the disgraced Blue Fairy get to her feet. She was stopped though when she was suddenly holding her head in pain. She managed to open her eyes and saw Bobby using his immense powers to cripple her and keep her from escaping.
"Then what do you suggest?" David asked.
"The Chalice...it absorbed the Olympian crystal. It can erase her from existence," Aphrodite replied.
"Do it," Rumple urged. Snow and David raised the Chalice between them and willed its power. Blue screamed, as she was hit with a blast of white light. The look on her stunned face was her final expression, as she evaporated into nothingness. They all breathed a sigh of relief. She was gone and they knew they would all be safer for it.
"Well...that went about like anything else around here," Regina deadpanned and they all managed to let out a slight chuckle as she was not wrong. They never had taken a life lightly, but Blue's elimination ensured that the people of the United Realms would be safe.
"Lucifer!" Drizella called, as she stormed into her mother's apartment. It was truly an utter disgrace that they had been reduced to living in the squalor of this paltry two bedroom apartment. And it was all thanks to Snow White. She had taken away all their money, forcibly donated it to some stupid charities, including her son's critter farm, and then turned the rest of their assets, including the Tremaine mansion to dust. And she had yet to pay for it, but that was about to change.
"Lucifer!" she shouted again, as her mother came out of the kitchen.
"Drizella...what are you bellowing about now?" she snapped and then caught sight of her daughter.
"Oh dear…" she uttered, seeing that she was dressed in a wedding gown.
"Isn't it beautiful, mother?" she asked, as she twirled in her dress.
"Of course dear...but what are you doing in a wedding dress?" Rodmilla questioned. Like a petulant child, she stamped her foot.
"It's my wedding day, mother! I am marrying my Prince Charming, of course!" she cried, as Lucifer arrived at the apartment.
"There you are, you little twit," she snapped.
"Oh crap…" the former cat groaned.
"You're coming with me to the diner. That new cook they have made a gorgeous cake for Snow White's idiot son and the ice queen and he's going to now make me one for my dream wedding to Prince Charming," she said.
"Drizella...he's already married to Snow White," Lucifer replied.
"No!" she hissed.
"That little bitch is just keeping him away from me! We belong together and he will see that in time!" she insisted.
"Drizella…" Rodmilla interjected.
"Later mother...we need to meet with the caterer," Drizella said, as she grabbed Lucifer by the arm and dragged him along.
Tears of happiness streamed down Snow's cheeks, as David held her in his arms. Since Joe and Frankie had come to them, they had promised them an opportunity to adopt a child. An opportunity that had been denied to them in Seattle due to some trouble Frankie had gotten into in his younger days. The curse had delayed this a bit, but today it was finally becoming official. A young woman just out of college had decided that she wasn't ready to have a baby and chose to put it up for adoption. The moment Snow heard about it, she helped them start the adoption process once the mother agreed.
And today, they had the pleasure of attending a small party at the diner to celebrate with them.
"Oh man...look at her. She's beautiful," Frankie said, with tears in his eyes, as he held their new daughter.
"How...how can we ever repay you?" Joe asked, as he was also in tears.
"Oh, be happy...that's all the thanks we need," Snow gushed, as David kissed her hair.
"Congratulations," he said with a beaming smile. The diner bell rang and some heads turned to see who was joining them, but none of them were prepared for the site before them.
"What the hell…" Emma uttered.
"Whoa...she's really lost it this time…" Leo said.
"That's saying something with her," Eva agreed.
"Oh my God...she's insane…" Summer said in disbelief.
"What the Fu…" Bobby cursed.
"Bobby!" Snow scolded, as her son dropped a cuss word that she did not want him using.
"There you are, Charming!" Drizella called, as she floated into the diner, dressed in a wedding gown, complete with gaudy costume jewelry and grossly overdone makeup.
"Oh my God...what a whack job," Regina said with a chuckle. The deranged woman reached for him, but Snow stood in the way and smacked her hand away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, you crazy bitch?" Snow demanded to know.
"I am going to marry my Prince Charming! That's what I'm doing and I'm here to ask him to bake us a wedding cake!" Drizella responded, as she pointed at Frankie.
"Yeah...that's not happening," Frankie said.
"Why not?" Drizella asked, as she sounded wounded by his refusal.
"Because I'm already married to Snow, you lunatic!" David cried in exasperation. At that, Drizella burst into tears and fell to her knees, before crawling over to him and wrapping her arms around his legs.
"Why won't you love me!?" she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Because he's my husband and he's in love with me!" Snow exclaimed, as she pried the woman off her husband. By now, Drizella was in a fit of ugly crying and streaks of black mascara and green eyeshadow stained her face.
"You're always in the way! You are always keeping us apart!" she cried.
"No...she's not, because I love her and never you!" David said, as Xander and James stepped in to pull her away.
"Okay...time to go back to the asylum. Hopefully this time, they won't let you out," he said. She growled.
"This isn't over!" she promised, as she was dragged away.
"I will get out again and then you will be mine, Charming!" she promised, as she was forcibly removed.
"Holy crap on a cracker…" Emma deadpanned, releasing some of their tension. David sighed and Snow put her arms around his waist.
"Never a dull moment around here," Joe said and that dissolved the rest of the tension, as they all shared a chuckle.
"Okay...well, let's have that cake. And I promise it's not a crazy sham wedding cake that I'll never bake and a happy celebration cake," he said, as he handed his new daughter off to his husband and they went back to their celebration that had been so rudely interrupted.
"Thanks Scuttle...looks like we're going to enjoy some mild weather for November in Maine," Le Fou said, as the camera panned back to them.
"Yes...unfortunately, the only cold front seen today was our rebuke at the history making tribunal that took place at Queen Snow and King David's castle this afternoon," Goldie said bitterly.
"Yes...and according to other sources, the Blue Fairy didn't even make it to her own execution. In a final attempt to regain her freedom, she attacked and was destroyed by Snow and Charming's mystical chalice," Le Fou said.
"But don't worry, they'll be getting a bill from our studio for the camera and equipment their brat broke," she added. Le Fou chuckled nervously, as the broadcast ended and Goldilocks stormed away from the anchor desk and toward her dressing room.
"Ah Goldie...he's just a kid," Le Fou called.
"Oh, it's not just that! Half the United Realms thinks our show is a joke, thanks to the Charmings!" she seethed.
"Well...we do gossip about them a lot," he admitted.
"Oh, I'm done gossiping about them. It's time for the hit pieces and those two have plenty of dirt for material," she said, as she went to her dressing room, only to find a tall man waiting there.
"Who the hell are you?" she asked.
"The name is Grimm...and sounds like you'd like a little revenge on the Charmings," he replied.
"Well, not everyone fawns all over them and worships them," she said.
"Oh I know...they've made it impossible for my writing to garner any attention. All anyone wants to read is their grandson's version of the stories," he mentioned, which peaked her interest.
"You're a writer?" she asked curiously.
"Yes...and together, we can write one hell of a story that no one will be able to ignore. But I need help to make it happen," he replied. She thought for a moment.
"What do I need to do?" she asked and he smirked.
After the celebration at Granny's, David parted ways from Snow for a few hours to go to the station with Emma. As Supreme Sheriff, there was some paperwork he had to attend to, regarding their first tribunal. That left Snow to her own devices for a couple hours and he found her in their chambers, sitting on the sofa, with an album in her lap.
"Hey…" he said, as she smiled up at him and tugged him down by his collar so she could kiss him.
"What are you doing?" he asked, as he sat down beside her and she cuddled against him.
"Getting lost down memory lane…" she said, as she flipped through the album that detailed the lives of their babies. Snow had a ton of albums and this one appeared to be one made just after the twins had been born.
"I guess today made me nostalgic," she said.
"I know...sometimes I can't believe our oldest four are grown and Bobby's a teenager," he mentioned, as he kissed her hair.
"Mmm…I know. At least we have grandbabies and great grandbabies though. And I'm sure there will be more to come," she said. He smiled.
"There will...so I picked up a pint from Dopey at the ice cream store," he mentioned, as she saw the paper sack on the table.
"Ooohh…I love you," she gushed, as she got the ice cream out and they started eating out of it together.
"Cookie dough is the best…" she muttered, as they ate and made him chuckle.
"I figured we could use something to wind down since we're leaving for Sleepy Hollow in the morning," he said. She nodded.
"I'll be glad when this is over, but we're doing the right thing," she replied. He nodded and they enjoyed their ice cream together, before soon retiring for the evening. There was no doubt that tomorrow would be another big day.
As per usual, Rumple was up very early and after preparing coffee, he went into his potions lab to get ready for their trip. He had no idea what they were going to encounter in Sleepy Hollow, so he was packing with anticipation for anything. In respect to potions anyway. He soon heard soft footfalls on the stairs and saw Belle coming down with a book in hand. She had been scouring through all versions of Ichabod Crane's story, hunting for any clues as to how someone in his bloodline may have strayed.
"You're up early too," he mentioned.
"Well...you know how much I love reading," she replied, as she kissed him on the cheek.
"I think I found something," she mentioned.
"Do tell," he replied.
"It would seem that one of Elias Grimm's family members wrote his own version of Sleepy Hollow. Based on the publishing date, it was probably his grandfather," she said.
"Sleepy Hollow and the Sacrifice to Moloch?" he asked.
"I know...a ridiculous title, but it might explain this version of the Crane family," she replied.
"How so?" he asked.
"Well...in this version, Ichabod's wife, Katrina, was a witch that sacrificed their own son to the God, Moloch," she explained.
"Moloch...a God known to be associated with child sacrifice in exchange for power," he said. She nodded.
"With the sacrifice, the headless horseman returned and was cursed by the witch to return every ten years. If a child was not sacrificed to Moloch, before the horseman could find his head, then it would allow the spirit of Moloch to pass into this world, possess the horseman, and then the world would be at his mercy," she continued.
"Does it say what happened to this version of Ichabod Crane?" he asked.
"He pushed Katrina off a balcony in rage...and then escaped Sleepy Hollow. No one ever saw him again," Belle replied.
"Then is it possible that descendants of Crane decided to follow the path of the witch, rather than the hero's path of Ichabod Crane?" he asked. She nodded.
"I think that's exactly what happened, though we won't know for sure until we investigate for ourselves. But if this Crane thinks he can somehow control the horseman when he returns, then theoretically, he could pave the way for Moloch to return and decimate all of humanity," she replied.
"Child sacrifice...there is nothing darker than that," he said. She nodded.
"We are truly dealing with the worst evil imaginable," she replied.
"Then Snow and David were right...we must stop Crane. The loss of one child's life is too much," he said. She nodded in agreement and they continued to prepare for their trip. They would soon be meeting everyone at Granny's and fill them in on what they had discovered and just what they might be facing.
"But...that piece was gold. I'm here observing this place first hand. You should be scrambling to publish this kind of dirt!" Nora exclaimed into her phone, as she sat at a corner table in the diner.
"It's juicy for sure, but Henry Nolan has already published the latest events. Yours is just a reiteration of his Uncle's wedding that reads like a hit piece. It's good enough for a gossip column, but that's not what we're looking for," the voice on the other end said.
"Why? Because I didn't worship the ground the Charmings walk on?" she hissed.
"Sorry...but they are the new heroes to most people. There are many out there that feel about them the way you do too, of course...but that material just isn't selling like the true love and heroics stuff," the person replied.
"Fine," Nora said in frustration, as she hung up the phone.
"Mind if I read your piece?" a blonde woman asked.
"Uh...you want to read my story?" Nora asked.
"Of course...I am a reporter too, after all," she replied, as she sat down.
"I'm Goldie...head co-anchor on Good Morning United Realms," she said.
"Oh yeah...now I recognize you," Nora replied, as the woman read her piece.
"It's good...it seems you're not enamored by the Charmings like most are. Much like me," she replied.
"You think they're ridiculous too?" Nora asked. The woman scoffed.
"I hate that family with a burning passion...and I'm working on something big to bring their image burning to the ground. Are you interested?" she asked.
"Yes…" Nora answered.
"Good...I'll meet you tonight in your room to discuss more," Goldie said, as she got up and left with a smirk on her face. This girl would make the perfect pawn for what she and Grimm had in store to craft the story of the century.
"You cannot do this!" Rodmilla screamed and Archie flinched.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tremaine, but your daughter is very disturbed," he said.
"It's not her fault! It's Snow White...she has driven my poor Drizella to madness!" Rodmilla claimed.
"No...it's her obsession that has driven her to this and she met all the requirements for a forced commitment," he replied.
"We are still evaluating her and once she is responding to medication, we can discuss the possibility of release. But she has a long road ahead," he said.
"This isn't over! I am going to get an attorney and force you to release her!" Rodmilla hissed, as she stormed out of the facility. As she arrived at her car around the corner, she found a man waiting for her.
"You…" she uttered.
"My, my...it would seem that my accomplice has been committed," Jekyll said.
"What do you care? You might have contributed to Drizella's relapse by exposing her to faulty magic," she accused.
"Perhaps...but you may be a far more useful ally to me than your unpredictable daughter," he said. Her gaze narrowed.
"You want to work with me?" she asked. He smirked.
"Think about it...we manage to tear Snow and Charming apart, then it will be your ultimate revenge. Your daughter can have the Prince, while I get Snow White," he offered. She thought for a moment.
"Tell me more...because many have tried to separate them and have failed," she said.
"Yes...but none have come as close as me. But this is not a discussion for her. Are you interested or not?" he asked.
"If it involves bringing pain to Snow White...then I am most certainly interested," she replied.
"Good...then drive us back to the harbor. This discussion should take place back at my laboratory on Pleasure Island," he said, as they got into her car and drove away.
They managed to locate a spot with little traffic outside the town and came through with a portal.
"I can't believe it...sacrificing your own child? How could someone do something so evil?" Snow asked, as she read the passages that Belle had found.
"I know...it is the most disturbing version of just about anything I've ever read," Belle agreed. Snow shook her head in dismay.
"Any child would be horrific...but your own? What kind of evil are we dealing with here?" she asked and though it was mostly rhetorical, Rumple answered her.
"The worst...possibly like nothing we have yet faced and that is saying something for us," he said.
"Agreed. If you can harm a child...then there's nothing this person won't do," David said.
"We better get some fancier clothes though. This looks like a Class A event," Natalie mentioned. Rumple waved his hand, thankful to still have magic since he was in the vicinity of the Chalice, and dressed himself in a tux, while Belle was now wearing a glittering gold dress, though more of a modernized version of her classic one, with butterfly sleeves, a straight collar, slim bodice and long skirt, with slits up the sides.
"Do I have to wear a tux too?" Bobby asked, as his mother used the chalice to put him in exactly that.
"Great…" he muttered.
"Why can't any of these events be at an amusement park or something?" he joked, making his father chuckle.
"Because villains are never known for being accommodating to the heroes," David joked back, as he looked at his wife, who was now wearing a sleeveless, satin white dress that had silver glittering outlining the straps and v neck collar that dipped low, much to his liking. The bodice hugged her curves and the satin skirt was full with a lacy glittering overlay.
"Wow…" he mentioned and she used their power to put him in a tux as well.
"Wow yourself," she said, as she turned to her sister-in-law.
"I prefer black," Natalie mentioned, as Snow used their power to give her a short, black satin party dress, which still worked since she was not showing yet.
"You have good taste," Natalie said.
"I'm not a dress kind of woman," Patricia warned, as she was the final person so Snow gave her a black pantsuit, with a sea green satin shirt inside the jacket.
"I think we're ready," Snow said, as she hooked her hand on David's elbow, while Belle hooked hers on Rumple's and they made their way into the sea of people that were entering the museum.
Elsa stood on the balcony, overlooking the Fjord of Arendelle from their chambers with a book in hand.
"Hey…" Leo said, as he came up behind her and put his arms around her, before kissing her cheek. She smiled and looked at him.
"Hi…" she said, as she flipped a page.
"What's this?" he asked.
"An Arendelle history book," she replied.
"Wow...is that your father when he was a kid?" Leo asked. She nodded.
"Yes...that is him when he was still Prince Agnarr and next to him is my grandfather, King Runeard. Father never talked about him much. He was lost on some sort of expedition," she replied.
"Hmm...that's sad. Was he looking for something?" he asked.
"I don't know...the history books just mention an expedition and father never elaborated much. I always wished that I could find out more," she replied.
"Maybe Rose can find a book that tells about it," he suggested.
"You're right...if the story exists, then it would be in her library," she realized.
"We can make a visit to her in the morning. For now...let's go to bed," he said. She smiled and closed the book, before following him inside.
Summer and JJ came out of the diner and strolled along toward the Inn.
"Thanks for hanging out again...and talking me down. I guess I'm more nervous than I thought about starting my new job," he mentioned. She smiled.
"You're going to be great…" Summer assured, as she followed him up to his door.
"So…I was wondering if you want to do this again?" he asked.
"You mean another date?" she asked excitedly and he smiled shyly.
"Yeah...another date, because I really like you," he admitted.
"I kind of guessed. I mean...not many guys would move to a crazy place like this, just out of curiosity," she teased and he chuckled.
"Guess I'm not very subtle," he said.
"It's okay...subtly is not the Charming way, so I appreciate when someone is up front," she replied. He chuckled.
"Duly noted," he said, as he slowly leaned in and her heart quickened, as he gently pressed his lips to hers. As their lips parted, they shared a smile and heard the room door next to JJ's open.
"Good...you're home. I need to read my story to you before I turn it into my new editor," Nora said.
"Your new editor?" Summer asked.
"That's right, sweet cheeks. JJ isn't the only one starting a new job tomorrow. You're looking at the newest field reporters for Good Morning United Realms," Nora replied.
"That show is nothing but gossip trash. All they do is write hit pieces about my family," Summer said. Nora rolled her eyes.
"Well...your family loves being the center of attention, so what are they supposed to do? Most of the chaos in this stupid place is caused by your parents," she argued.
"Shut up," Summer snapped.
"Ohhh…looks like you're just like your mother. You act all sweet and prissy on the surface, but the minute you're challenged even just a little, the claws come out," Nora goaded.
"Stop it, Nora," JJ protested.
"Sorry cuz, but your little girlfriend's family aren't really the heroes they are portrayed to be. I spent the whole day with my new boss learning everything there is to know about her parents and the chaos that surrounds them," Nora said.
"Your new boss?" Summer asked.
"Goldilocks...as ridiculous as it is," Nora replied.
"She hates my family...she's so jealous of my mother that it's not even funny. If you were a real reporter, then you'd want nothing to do with an activist hack like her," Summer shot back.
"I am a real reporter, you prissy bitch," Nora hissed.
"Enough!" JJ snapped. Nora smirked.
"The true Evil Queen: Snow White and her endless body count. By Nora Bradley," Nora read from her tablet and Summer launched at her, but he held her back.
"Delete the story, Nora," he insisted.
"Not a chance in hell," she replied.
"No one has destroyed more lives than the subject of this expose. She has left a trail of bodies in her wake for years and yet wears the crown of Queen. Many of you may think I am talking about Queen Regina, but not in the slightest. I am talking about Snow White herself, who chose to preserve the pureness of her heart over saving her own mother at the tender age of ten and her body count only builds from there," Nora read and then gasped, as Summer slapped her.
"You know nothing about my mother!" she hissed.
"I know enough. She's the reason your precious nana lost her first true love. The reason everyone is here in the first place, ripped away from their homeland and loved ones," Nora replied.
"That was all fixed when the curse broke!" Summer claimed.
"And there has been nothing but chaos since, because of your parent's precious true love. And their insanity has spilled into my world one too many times. People need to know the truth. Your Nana was right long ago when she said Snow White was the true monster," Nora said. Summer tried to launch herself at her again, but JJ held her back.
"And just today...another life was ruined when Drizella Tremaine was hauled off to the rubber room," Nora said.
"That woman is insane! That's not my mother's fault!" Summer replied. Nora shrugged.
"Maybe, maybe not. But your mother is the reason for her torment and probably the reason she will never get better," she replied.
"Okay...let me walk you home. There's no reasoning with her," JJ suggested. Summer glared at the other woman, but then allowed him to lead her out. Nora smirked and went back into her room, finding Goldilocks standing there with a drink in hand.
"You did well...better than expected. That was very entertaining," Goldilocks said, as she sipped at her martini.
"It was a lot of fun, actually. Seeing Miss Innocence get so bothered by someone attacking her parents was definitely a great show," Nora agreed.
"So why do you hate Snow White so much?" she asked curiously.
"My mother was once her nanny...she probably doesn't even remember. But then she was fired after the little princess told her mother that mine was mean to her," Goldie replied.
"Was she?" Nora asked.
"Of course...my mother was mean to me, but her little tattling ways led to my mother losing her job and us becoming homeless," Goldie replied.
"Is that why you tried to sleep in a bear's house?" Nora asked in amusement.
"That's just the stupid nursery rhyme. We slept where we could and got kicked out of a lot of places, while Princess Snow slept in her four poster bed," Goldie replied.
"And even when she lost her home, she didn't fall to the things I had to do to survive. Instead, she became a hero. An outlaw, but a hero and the people's Princess, nonetheless," Goldie said.
"I had to do things for food that no person should have to do and even when I did pick myself up out of the gutter, I married a man that could care less about me. Meanwhile, Show White got everything. Prince Charming, true love, beautiful children, and the perfect life," she complained.
"I get a stupid, drunk, cheating husband, while she gets a man that treats her like she's the only woman in existence. Like the Queen she is," she continued.
"She definitely has more good fortune than most," Nora agreed.
"So...what's the next step?" she asked. Goldie smirked.
"A few hit pieces on her is nothing. Sure...it will get the husband and kids riled up, but the true way to go after Snow White is go after her precious babies," she replied.
"How do we do that? Even with her parents out of town, she has her Nana that would literally kill for her," Nora said.
"True...but I think I know exactly what we need to do," Goldie replied mysteriously, as she finished her drink.
"Are you in?" she asked. Nora nodded.
"I'm in," she agreed.
An hour later
The quietness in the late hours in Storybrooke were suddenly shattered, as a deafening scream broke the silence. Glass shattered, as a woman went crashing through a window from the upstairs floor of the Inn and landed on the cold concrete below. Blood leaked from the woman's broken body, as Nora struggled to breathe and her life slipped away...
