A/N: If you read these AN's, you'll know I write... several chapters ahead of what I post. Well, I pulled a broken thread which led me to chapter 55 and I was a bit hesitant to post these next few chapters until I got it all worked out. ;)

~The Summoning~

Belle had gotten nowhere with the first two books. They did detail finding specific Gods through summoning, though none that had been mentioned were who they were looking for. Regina had found a third book in his private stash which was promising at first, but only told one how to protect from, or kill a God.

"I've never even heard of an Olympian Crystal." Belle was rubbing her eyes.

"Perhaps there's another way around this than killing the fates." Regina suggested gently. She had no desire to ever see that weapon again. Not after what it did to Robin the first time. She pulled out a pocket mirror, checking on Neal.

She chuckled. "Three… Two… One…"

He burst in, panting. "I may have found-"

"Breathe." Regina pocketed the mirror, turning in her chair to face him.

He collapsed in a chair a few paces away from the ladies, his breathing slowly returning to normal.

"Now that was cardio." He collected himself to the raised eyebrow of Regina, and curious stare of Belle. "I've only been halfway through this place, maybe less." He began, still breathing a bit heavily. "You were right about feeling that pull towards something. A fireplace brick just moved, on its own, and inside, among other things, was this book." He held up the tome. "I flipped through it. I have no idea why my dear old dad would have hidden it, but I did find a spell to summon a Goddess who might be willing to help."

He reached out, book in hand. Regina had to reach to take it from him, careful to save the spot his finger had marked. She looked over the pages.

"He might be right." She finally said. "There's another who will speak to those who are worthy. If we can contact her, she might be able to shed some light on this situation, and she's a daughter of Zeus."

Regina handed the book to Belle, who eagerly looked it over.

"We can find what we need for this spell here, in the manor." Regina continued. "Belle, would you fetch the olive oil from the kitchen? Neal, go with her, look for anything made of olive wood, specifically, if you can. I can get the rest of the ingredients from Rumple's supplies."

In a little over an hour, the potion was ready, stirred with the wooden spoon made from an olive tree.

"Belle, would you write our request to meet her?"

"Me?" Belle looked from Regina to Neal, her throat suddenly tight.

"That might be best." Neal replied. "From what I understand, Belle, you love books and learning, and she is the Goddess of wisdom, among other things."

"You also have the purest heart." Regina added with a small smile.

The note was finished in moments, and carefully placed into the brew.

A rogue wind picked up from out of nowhere, candles were instantly snuffing out plunging the room into darkness. Books were flying off the shelves and tables, their pages flapping in the wind, papers being picked up and tossed. A flash of lightning inside the room, a boom of thunder.

Belle dove under the table, Regina quickly following suit. Neal crossed his ankles around the feet of his chair, trying to stay upright in the fierce wind.

Another bolt of lightning struck the air, causing a bright blue oval to appear. The light stretched toward the floor, and grew wide enough to fit a person. The thunder became more frequent, along with more lightning, and even stronger winds roaring around them.

Neal's chair fell over with him still in it, and he scurried toward the nearest table. Belle was tightly holding onto the table leg. Regina tried shading her eyes to look at what was going on. The blue light became too bright for any of them to look at. They had to close, and cover their eyes, turning their heads away from the disturbance when everything suddenly ceased.

The only light came from around covered windows. It was dark enough they couldn't see a foot in any direction.

Regina ducked out carefully, standing slowly while grasping the table for support. The internal storm had her unnerved, which was not something that happened very often. Taking a deep breath, she snapped her fingers which picked up any fallen candles before they were relit. Before long, it was as bright as it had been before the storm.

The Goddess they had summoned stood exactly where the blue oval had been. She was tall, though not entirely in height. She held herself that way. Long, raven locks curled around the bronze armor, which was placed on her shoulders and chest. A nearly sheer dress underneath the armor reached just above her knees with a slit on one side. She held a staff in her left hand, and wore the look of a warrior. Her eyes were a fierce green under her helmet, which she removed when the room was relit.

She took a moment to examine the trio, as Belle crawled out from her hiding spot, and Neal stumbled up and out from his place under the table.

Her voice was a melodic, confident boom. Almost as if she had a smirk hidden behind that look that could kill.

"Who here has summoned me?"