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!
Another special note: Since several people seem to be missing it, I've had questions about Ingrid and her sisters and the Northuldra. It is NOT a plot hole. Please refer to chapter 230. It is explained there and some seem to be missing it. Ingrid and Helga were Northuldra, but Ingrid and Helga were away the day Runeard attacked. To keep Ingrid from destroying everything in rage, the rock trolls stepped in and took their memories of their true origins. If you read the beginning of chapter 230, it's explained.
Also, someone did ask about what season we would be in by now, so I decided to do a season breakdown:
Season 1: Chapters 1-30 (30 chapters)
Season 2: Chapters 31-67 (36 chapters)
Season 3: 68-83 (15 chapters)
Season 4: 84-102 (18 chapters)
Season 5: 103-122 (19 chapters)
Season 6: 123-151 (28 chapters)
Season 7: 152-193 (41 chapters)
Season 8: 194-234 (40 chapters)
Season 9: 235-on
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: formerly, Laura Dern - upon return, Heather Lindell
Seth: Rami Malek
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
Goldilocks: Ali Larter
Le Fou: Josh Gad
Joe: Bobby Cannavale
Frankie: Ezra Miller
Esmeralda: Daniella Alonso
Luka: Tyler Posey
Grimm: Sam Rockwell
King Runeard: Alfred Molina
Milo: Brenton Thwaites
Kida: Chloe Grace Moretz
Flynn Rider: Will Peltz
Drake Mallard: Giovanni Ribisi
Rourke: Martin Kove
Hiram Flaversham: Adam Campbell
Olivia Flaversham: Isabel Durant
Captain Phoebus: Trevor Donovan
Kronk: Patrick Warburton
Kuzco: John Leguizamo
Alexandra Herman: Ashley Benson
Carina Dashing: Abby Ross
Ben Dashing: Jack Messina
Arianna Dashing: Mckenna Grace
Gideon Gold: Giles Matthey
Chip Potts: Greg Rikaart
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, it's a netherworld. Or is it? Lol, there's another twist on that ahead. Aw, thanks, so glad you think so and it's nice to hear that. Sometimes, I feel like I fly by the seat of my pants, but a lot of thought still goes into it all. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jennifer Baratta: I agree, Goldie should lose her voice. Glad you're enjoying!
Grace5231973: Yep, not logical at all, especially when you find out more about those waters in this chapter. Yes, they have a clue and Flynn is okay, which is good. Glad you're enjoying!
sweetreader: Aw, thanks, that's such a nice compliment. I hope I can continue to surprise you and that you continue to enjoy. :)
Zariah: Yep, Phoebus is now a full blow baddie. How Rourke did it remains to be seen, but we do find out more about where they are in this chapter. Glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: I know, separating has to be the worst idea. Yep, and we find out where they may be in this chapter and you'll see why that ocean is so dangerous. Yep, Phoebus has been detained. Using a dreamcatcher would be a good idea. Yeah, they are both odd names. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, we're on to part 2 and there will be a part 3 as well! Yep, Rourke is certainly up to some evil things and we learn more about just what he's done in this chapter. Aw, thanks, I'm so glad I can still surprise you after so many chapters. Yeah, I want a Josh calendar too. Yeah, I'm surprised anyone slept at all. Yeah, rations are not enough for a Charming to survive on. Yep, he flipped him off. Hope he was watching too. Yeah, Vince has no business questioning Charming. Yep, the Charmings are very good in the wild. I know, Charming in a tank top is hot. Yep, she can look, but that's it. The Charming men are taken. Yeah, it's good they stopped or everyone would have seen a whole lot more of Snowing. Yeah, splitting up is stupid. Even Goldie and Grimm know that sticking with the Charmings is best. Yep, Phoebus has gone full baddie and try to kill Flynn. Fortunately, they saved him and arrested Phoebus. Yep, Charming and Killian make quite a team. Yep, the Charmings will always prevail. Glad you're enjoying! :)
AnonSnowing: Yeah, I'm glad Snowing isn't separated this time either. I hope he can't hear everything, but he probably can. Vince is a problem and yeah, going anywhere by yourself would be a bad idea. Yeah, that was really a theme in the last chapter. Snow's simple touch made the pressure of leading and stress melt away. Nope, they are not letting each other out of their sight. Yeah, Leo is amazing with animals. I know, David in a tank top. I couldn't resist. Yep, too bad, the whole world is watching and they have to stop. Yep, they have found food and fresh water, so that's something. Yeah, they should all be listening to the Charmings. Yep, Phoebus has been arrested and Flynn was rescued. I know, Regina has changed so much. I love it. No, they shouldn't underestimate Rourke. Yep, their family will find them, especially now they know where not to look. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Celina's girlfriend: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
The Grey Jedi 2020: Yep, Snowing can find romance just about anywhere, lol. Yeah, the original Rourke was no joke. This one is crafty too though. It does seem like Vince may be a plant. We shall see. Yep, Bobby paid attention on camping trips. Yep, wildlife has found its way to Leo and they hate Vince too. Yep, there may be a new wolf pack coming to the reserve. We haven't seen Red lately, but no, she's not the wolf. They all have natural abilities with elements. Summer has been making bubbles since she was six. Yep, there may be a mole. Yeah, Regina has really grown. Just wait till you find out where they really are in this chapter. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Finding You Always
Chapter 243: Island of Terror, Pt 3
They awoke early the next morning and Snow and David took their turn at the fresh water spring nearby. They couldn't fully bathe, thanks to the fact that they were on candid camera twenty-four seven, but they cleaned up as best they could and filled some canteens for the day.
"I am never going to take hot showers for granted again," she mentioned, as she wet her hair down, which felt really good in the humid climate. He smirked.
"Definitely not," he agreed, as he washed water over his arms and head too. They didn't bother trying to dry off, because in this climate, they would dry all too soon. He put his arms around her and they enjoyed a small moment of closeness.
"Do you think they're already in the water?" she asked. He shook his head.
"I think we still have some time. I doubt any of them are skilled at building rafts and with a leader like that Vince guy, I'm sure it's not going well," he surmised.
"Why anyone would follow that creep over someone like you is beyond me," she said, as they swayed together.
"I think you're a bit biased, my love," he teased.
"Oh I'm sure I am...but I have very good reasons to be," she mused, as they shared a kiss.
"As much as I'd like to continue this, we better get back," she said.
"Yeah...we better catch up to the rest and we're being watched. Still hate that, though I can almost see Regina rolling her eyes at us from here," he joked. She giggled.
"Yes and I'm sure it came with some snarky comment," she added. He looked up.
"She's glaring at us...right now. I can feel it," he joked back, making her giggle.
"Well...so nice to know you find our situation funny, Princess," Goldie commented derisively, as they returned to camp.
"Well…I'd say you're not a morning person, but you're like this all the time, so it's not fair to blame mornings," Snow retorted.
"I'm glad the world is seeing you're not the perfect, sweet little princess and that Regina was right all those years ago, before she went soft. You're the little monster," Goldie growled. Bobby dropped the wood he was holding and started over to confront her, but Emma held him back for the moment.
"Just wait…" she whispered to him.
"Most of them have read the book...they know who I am. They know that I was a Princess who became a bandit and could shoot an apple off a moving target from a hundred feet away," Snow said, as she faced her head on.
"They also know that I'm a wife and a mother that will kill for her family if she has to. Thanks to the book...they've seen the good in me and the bad. And if you do anything to endanger one of them...I'm just going to take you out of the equation," she added, stunning Goldie.
"You heard her!" Goldie shouted, looking around.
"She just threatened my life!" she cried.
"Hey...keep your voice down. There's wildlife all around us. We don't want them to get the idea that we're threatening, because you won't have to worry about my Mom kicking your ass if you do," Leo warned. Goldie clenched her teeth and huffed loudly.
"I hate you and your family," she said.
"No love lost here either, twat waffle," Bobby retorted.
"Okay...let's pack up. We need to make it to the beach and convince them not to sail out into that water," David said, as he took Snow's hand and they led the way to the beach.
Paul rubbed his tired eyes and closed another book. He had brought a collection of ancient Lunarian scrolls back from Cibola and Regina had magicked them into English for him and Belle. Hermes and Aphrodite were searching the plethora of nether realms for them, but they decided there could always be valuable information in the scrolls and decided to read them after all.
"Anything for you?" Belle asked.
"Not really...nothing about netherworlds anyway. This one is fascinating though. It's about that jar and the pounamu stone we found inside though. I think we should keep it for later," Paul said.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah...it's not relevant now, but it goes into detail about how that stone can weaponize the elements," Paul said.
"That could be useful later...and in the wrong hands, that would be bad," Belle said. Rumple nodded.
"Say no more," he agreed, as the scroll disappeared to be tucked away in a safe place only he would know about.
"What about yours?" Paul asked.
"Well...nothing on nether realms, but this one does talk about dark dimensions," Belle replied.
"That could be something," Regina said, as she scanned it.
"It's very possible a dark dimension is not at all unlike a nether realm," Rumple agreed, as he looked it over. Paul used the lull to check the Internet and sighed.
"Well...the world is loving this little reality show. This Rourke seems to have created must see TV," he said with annoyance.
"Anything from Fandral on that yet?" Regina asked.
"Not yet...Phoebus won't talk. But Fandral will get something out of him," Robin replied.
"I hope so…" Regina said.
"Hey...they'll be fine and back before you know it and begging you to make homemade lasagna. And then you'll have to make like ten to feed just Bobby," he joked, making her smile.
"I'll make them a hundred lasagnas if it gets them back," she said. He put his arm around her.
"We will...and then we'll have family dinner. You'll soak them all up and get annoyed when Snow and David can't make it through dinner without some embarrassing PDA. Then we'll make fun of them dancing to some cheesy ballad and get beaten ruthlessly at board games by the kids and never live it down. Then we'll all fall asleep in front of the television, watching superhero movies," he said. She sniffed and swiped a tear away.
"I can't wait for that," she said, as Hermes, Aphrodite and James appeared.
"Anything?" Regina asked anxiously.
"Not yet...but we're not giving up. We have more to search," Aphrodite said.
"We found this. It talks about dark dimensions...could that be the same thing as nether realms?" Belle asked. Hermes snatched it and looked at it with fascination.
"No...nether realms are a dime a dozen. A dark dimension is very different...and quite difficult to get to, even for me," she replied.
"Would Rourke know about these?" Regina asked.
"He's bloody known about everything else and he's not the only one that knows about dark dimensions," Killian said, as he arrived through a portal.
"Anything on Phoebus?" Regina asked.
"No...the bloody wanker retained a lawyer. An expensive one...so it looks like Rourke wants him alive and not dead. Not even Fandral can get him to talk, which means he's more afraid of his new boss than us," Killian replied.
"Oh is he?" Regina asked, as a fireball appeared in her hand.
"No...your energy is better spent here," Robin said. She agreed and the fireball dissipated.
"So...these dark dimensions. How many are there and how do we get to them?" she asked the Goddess.
"How do you know about these dark dimensions?" Rumple asked.
"Because there is only one dark dimension...and it's known by another name," he said, pausing for a beat.
"Davy Jones' locker," he revealed.
"Wait...they're in a locker? You expect us to believe that?" Agent Ross interjected.
"No, I don't bloody expect anything but failure from you and your blood agency. And it's not a locker in the physical sense," Killian said.
"It's another dimension," Regina realized.
"Aye…" he said.
"Well...do you know how to get there?" Robin asked.
"All pirates do. Knowing where it is isn't the issue...it's getting there," he replied.
"He's right," Aphrodite said.
"We must take the sturdiest of ships. Fortunately, we have the Jolly Roger. Then we have to sail to the edge of the All World River, fall over the edge and hope we survive the trip," Killian explained.
"And if we do survive and rescue them...how do we get out?" Regina asked.
"We must convince Davy Jones to let us out...or bypass him somehow. But we cannot kill him," Killian replied.
"Why not?" Regina asked.
"Because if you kill Davy Jones, you take on his curse," Paul realized.
"Aye," Killian replied.
"We'll figure out getting out later. Let's just get there," Regina said, as they packed up and prepared to return to the Harbor.
"You're all insane," Agent Ross said.
"Good thing for you then...because us being insane enough to go after them is the only chance you have at getting your agent back," Paul answered, as they entered the portal.
Fandral stared at Phoebus in the interrogation with his arms crossed over his chest.
"You don't scare me...and my lawyer has advised me to say nothing," Phoebus replied. Fandral only smirked, further unnerving the other blonde, as he tried not to squirm in his seat.
"Yes...the only reason you're still alive is Rourke must see some value in you," the Asgardian said.
"You've seen his face...so I guess you better hope that you continue to have value to him," he continued.
"Or you might end up face down in the ocean. It's a clean kill...but I always slayed my beasts with a sword," he added. Phoebus scoffed.
"Rourke appreciates my talents. Maybe if Charming had given me the post I deserved, none of this would be happening," the former Captain replied.
"Oh...so you're going to blame David for this? Typical," Fandral commented.
"It is his fault! But at least now I know he'll get what's coming to him," Phoebus said smugly. Fandral responded by kicking his chair out from under him and sending him sprawling to the floor, but not before he hit his chin on the way down.
"Owe...you bastard!" Phoebus cried through a mouth full of blood.
"You better hope we do find David and his family, because if we don't, Rourke will not be the one you must worry about," Fandral warned.
"You won't kill me...you're a hero. It's against your code. What would your precious Rose Red think of you murdering me?" Phoebus taunted. Fandral hauled him to his feet and backed him against the wall.
"She will kill you herself if Snow, David, and their children do not return," Fandral said.
"What are you doing to my client?" the attorney asked, as he arrived.
"He's manhandling me...charges should be dismissed due to police brutality!" Phoebus said.
"He's right...I'll be filing a motion with the judge immediately," the attorney said.
"That won't be necessary," Regina replied, as she arrived.
"Why not?" the attorney demanded.
"Because this is no longer a civil criminal case. As Queen Mother, in Snow and David's absence, it falls to me to rule on cases in which crimes are committed against royals or those under their protection," Regina said.
"Flynn Rider is an orphan and a ward of the state. David took responsibility for him and therefore, I have the legal option of trying this case in Misthaven, as a crime against the crown," she added.
"That's preposterous! The alleged crime happened in Storybrooke. Therefore it should be tried in the civil criminal court!" the attorney argued.
"And I can overrule a judge in this instance. In fact, district attorney Mitchell will likely rule in my favor. Until then...Captain Phoebus is remanded to custody and will be jailed in prison with no bond," Regina ordered.
"You can't do this!?" he hissed.
"Tell me where Rourke is and I'll put you in protective custody and have District Attorney Mitchell plead your case down from first degree attempted murder to aggravated assault and battery. You'd be out in a few months," Regina offered. Phoebus went silent.
"I advise you to take such a deal," his attorney whispered to him.
"I tell them who Rourke is...I'm a dead man," he refuted. Regina smirked.
"That's what I thought," Regina replied.
"I can transport him to the prison," Fandral said, as he sheathed his sword, just as Rose arrived.
"No...there is something more pressing we need to do with Regina," she said. Zorro nodded.
"Me as well...but two of our best men will escort and protect him in the prison until this matter is handled," he said. Phoebus was taken away, allowing them to talk then.
"What's happened?" Fandral asked.
"We think we know where they are," Regina replied.
"That's wonderful," Fandral said.
"It is...except getting to them could be considered a suicide mission. I understand if any of you want to stay behind," Regina replied. Fandral shook his head.
"No...we're with you. Together, we can handle anything," he said. Zorro nodded.
"I'm coming too," he confirmed.
"Gather what you need and meet us at the Harbor in thirty minutes," Regina said.
Rourke smirked, as he hung up his phone and turned back to the expansive display of the island.
"Aren't you worried that they may know where they are now?" Runeard asked.
"No...even if they get in. No one is ever getting out. This is Davy Jones' locker, after all," Rourke said, as he opened a small box, which contained a glowing heart.
"And even if our friend wanted to let them go...he won't as long as I have this," Rourke responded, as he puffed on his cigar.
Another piece of the cheap rope that had been left in the supplies snapped for the third time and Vince growled in frustration.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" Brandon asked.
"Can you do better, nurse boy?" Vince snapped in return, silencing him.
"Maybe this was a mistake," Heather commented. Kenzie sighed.
"My raft will work and I'll fix theirs later," she replied.
"I don't know Kenz...you're an engineer, but we're missing both magic and muscle in this group," she mentioned.
"Just stand there and look pretty honey, cause you're sure as hell ain't worth damn at anything else," Vince said.
"You're an asshole...come on Kenzie, we need to go back and find the Charmings," Heather urged.
"They're climbing a mountain to look at some stars, Heather. That doesn't make any sense," Kenzie reasoned.
"In a normal situation, no...but this isn't normal," she argued.
"Your friend is right...this is the logical option," Lexi interjected. Kenzie finished one raft and went to work on the other one.
"You're doing it wrong," she commented.
"Sorry...we're not rocket scientists," Justin said snidely.
"Whatever...just get the rope wrapped around the wood and I'll secure it. I can knot it without snapping it. Here," she said, handing some to Logan, who seemed to be the shy, quiet one of the three. He nodded and did as she asked.
"There...these should be sea worthy enough to get us somewhere," Kenzie said.
"Or make us lunch for the sharks," Heather replied.
"Then don't go," Brandon said, as they started to push one raft into the water. This one had Lexi, Brandon, Kenzie and Heather, while the other had the three brothers. They set out on the water, just as the Charming family caught up to them on the beach.
"Everything is ready, Captain…" Smee said, as he finished helping him get the ship ready. The eye of the storm was secured soundly on the mast, ensuring they would survive the waters.
"Thank you, Smee," Killian replied.
"Captain...I know you have to go after Emma and her family, but this is Davy Jones' locker we're talking about. No one has ever come back from that," Smee warned.
"We're aware of the risks, Smee...but this family always seems to find a way," Killian replied, as his passengers arrived.
Anna and Kristoff hugged Elsa fiercely.
"You better come back…" Anna cried.
"We will...I promise, but I need you two to look after Arendelle for me," she requested.
"We will," Kristoff said, as they watched her board the ship. Paul nodded to them and followed her up the ramp, as did JJ.
"I really wish you'd let me come," Robin said. Regina shook her head.
"No...you need to stay back with Roland and Jade...just in case," she said, as she nodded to her sister, who stood on the dock with Jade and Alice. He nodded, as he hugged her and then kissed her passionately.
"Just come back," he said. She smiled and nodded.
"We will," she said, as she saw Henry coming toward her.
"No…" she argued. He sighed.
"I told him...or I tried," Ella said.
"Listen to your wife. If you come and we can't get out...there is no author and all stories stop," she warned.
"I get that...but this is my Mom and my entire family," he said.
"And I will bring them home," Regina promised, as she hugged him.
"We'll keep researching Davy Jones' locker and any information," Belle promised. Rumple nodded as well.
"Thanks...but do what you can to find Rourke. That's how this really ends," Regina said.
"I already have the usual shady characters I hire sniffing for information. Hopefully, it will soon yield results," he replied. She nodded.
"I don't like this...we should be going too," James said.
"I agree," Aphrodite replied.
"No...the town needs leaders with all of us gone. We need you here," Fandral reasoned. Rose nodded.
"We'll bring them home," she promised, as they boarded as well, along with Zorro. Bianca seethed inwardly, as she had been ordered to stay behind by Rose Red and if she argued, it would only make them both suspicious so she obeyed...for now.
"Aye...we're ready," Killian said, as he started sailing them out into the open water and then looked back to Hermes. Everyone had done their best at that point to anchor themselves down.
"Once you're in the All World River...it's up to survive it," she warned.
"We're ready," Killian confirmed, as she opened a portal and the ship dipped down, before disappearing…
"Stop...come back!" David called.
"Sorry handsome...we're blowing this place," Kenzie called back.
"You don't understand! We're not on the physical earth! We're in another dimension!" Leo called, but they were ignored.
"Dammit...listen to me! You get too far out, a current is going to grab that raft and rip it apart! Then you'll be ripped apart the moment you hit the water!" David shouted, but it seemed to no avail.
"Kenzie...we need to listen," Heather argued.
"Relax Heather...we're not in another dimension. That's crazy," she argued.
"You've ready the book...you know it's not just stories. Your scientific mind is putting us at risk here," Heather said.
"I'm not going back to hell island. There is so much air traffic in the world that someone is going to see us in no time," Kenzie reasoned.
"If this was a normal situation, maybe...but it's not!" Heather argued.
"Then swim back…" Kenzie said. As she said that, their raft hit a couple of large waves. The ropes snapped and the raft failed. Heather was quick and jumped off, before grabbing her friend and starting to swim back. But the doctor and her husband weren't so lucky, as what David said was going to happen did and they were swept under. Kenzie screamed and blood floated to the top of the water, speaking to their fate.
"Dammit…" Leo said, as he took his shirt and shoes off, before starting into the water. David did the same and followed him.
"Be careful!" Snow called. Summer did her best, though it was harder to calm the waters. Bobby took her hand and leant her some of his natural power and she smiled at her little brother.
Leo swam quickly toward the two girls and used his natural abilities to call a couple of friends. The girls were astonished when two dolphins appeared. They didn't belong in waters like this, but he was sure Rourke had included plenty of sea life. The dolphins helped the girls return to shore, while Leo swam out to help his father pull the raft back into shallow waters. The three brothers crawled off onto the beach, as Snow helped her husband out of the water and Eva helped her twin.
"Guess the heroes can't really save everyone. That poor doctor and her husband," Vince goaded. David snapped to his feet and grabbed Vince by the shirt.
"Their deaths...are on you," he said, as he shoved him back. Snow sided up to him and put her arms around his waist.
"What did you mean when you said we're not on earth?" Heather asked.
"When I got to the top of the mountain last night...it was a completely clear sky and no stars," David replied.
"That's not possible," Kenzie argued.
"It is if you're in another dimension or often what we call a nether realm. They can look like anything," Snow said.
"And the water?" Heather asked curiously.
"It leads to the All World River. Only Hermes can navigate it in one of her bubbles, unless you have a sturdy ship with the eye of the storm," Emma replied.
"Like you used when you came back from the Underworld...like in the book," Heather said.
"Yes," Eva said.
"Which means that there really is magic here...and we need to figure out how to break through whatever is blocking us," Bobby replied.
"He's right," Leo agreed.
"What does it matter? We can't get off this island by water so what's the point?" Justin complained. Emma smirked.
"Because now our family knows we're in a Netherworld and once Hermes locates us, my husband will come with the rest of our friends. He still has the eye of the storm and the Jolly Roger can withstand the All World River," she replied. Snow smiled.
"She's right...so let's build a fire. We'll hunt and you five can get training to get past that barrier. This will get easier with magic," Snow said, as David put his shoes and shirt back on, before taking her hand. They ventured into the jungle to hunt.
Even with the eye of the storm, the waters of the All World River were rough, as they passed hundreds of worlds at a time. Killian carefully battled the current so they weren't sucked into any of them and the water rocked them fiercely.
"How much more of this?!" Regina called.
"A lot...we're sailing to the edge, after all. Davy Jones' locker is not easy to get to for a reason. No one usually goes there willingly!" Killian called back.
"Has anyone ever been there and come back?" Regina asked.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Killian asked back and she sighed.
"There are many stories about Davy Jones' locker...but there's no way of knowing which one will strike true with the real place," Rose offered.
"I hate going in blind...has anyone ever told you any stories about this Davy Jones?" Regina asked the former pirate.
"No one that sees him remains alive...but the legend says it is a place of purgatory for those who crossed him," Killian said.
"But they haven't crossed him...do you think Rourke made some kind of deal with this Davy Jones?" Regina asked.
"No idea...but anything is possible, I suppose. I wish we knew more about this bloke. You have to be good to fly under the radar this long," Killian replied. It was true. They had heard the name Rourke in the past few years, but no specifics or idea of who he really was. And she hated not knowing their enemy.
They felt the ship start to dip again, as they reached the edge.
"We're here...brace yourselves!" Killian called, as the ship sailed over the edge at a ninety degree angle and into the mysterious, foggy waters below.
Bobby concentrated and channeled his energy into bringing out his powers. He could feel the magic in the air, but it was like there was some kind of invisible barrier between him and the energy. With no small amount of effort, he felt himself breach that barrier for a moment and he spun himself into the sand. However, magic had never been this difficult, even when he was still learning, and he found himself half in the ground and half out.
"You're stuck, kid," Emma said, as she grabbed him under the arms and tried to pull him out, but to no avail.
"That was really hard. Magic is there...I just wish we knew what was blocking it," Bobby said, as they didn't notice Trent fidget nervously.
"So...if this place has magic, then Rourke has to be using some kind of device to block it, right?" Leo asked. Eva shrugged.
"It's hard to say...I mean we know we're in some kind of netherworld and most rules don't apply there," she answered.
"But netherworlds are usually what you want them to be," Bobby said.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked.
"Well...nana wrote the sleeping curse that she put on Mom and the side effect of that was that Mom went to a fiery red room every night for months after, right?" Bobby asked.
"I guess...but Nana never intended that. At least not consciously," Summer said.
"All magic has a price," Leo reminded her.
"Except true love's magic, which means most of the time we don't. Except Eva feels the pain of the injuries she's healing," Emma said.
"Which I'm not even sure is a price so much as it's just me. I've always felt things very deeply," Eva said.
"Yeah...and instead of going to the red room in the second sleeping curse, I stepped in and changed that for Mom, even if I had no idea I did it. I was technically just a baby," Bobby replied.
"So...you think this isn't a netherworld?" Leo asked. He shrugged.
"But Daddy said there were no stars," Summer replied.
"True...but we know there are multiple kinds of worlds," Bobby reasoned.
"He's right...what if this is some kind of fallen world? Like the one Seth and those other beings were trapped in?" Emma asked.
"Feh...what does it matter? All this talk doesn't get us off this blasted island or whatever this is," Vince interjected.
"Yeah...cause your plan was better. That doctor and her husband are dead, because of you," Summer said, glaring at him. He held her in his glare and started toward her.
"Big talk, little girl…" he hissed, as he approached.
"I'd love to teach you a lesson you'd never forget," he added.
"Back off or you can forget getting off this island alive," Leo growled. But he didn't seem deterred and Summer started to back away. Emma was ready to flatten him, but the possible danger gave Bobby the motivation he needed and peridot magic swirled around him in the sand, as he freed himself. The vines on a nearby tree became alive and wrapped around Vince, tying him to the nearby tree.
"Let him go!" Justin demanded.
"No," Bobby refuted, as he stared down the other man.
"He's lucky to be breathing at all," Emma said, crossing her arms over her chest and then smiled at her brother.
"Seems like you broke through that barrier," she said, as they all saw the ribbons of peridot energy swirling around him. But as soon as the power had arrived, it was gone and Bobby stared at his hands.
"What happened?" Leo asked, as the vines loosened and Vince stumbled out of the trap.
"You little shit!" he hissed.
"I...I don't understand. I felt my powers...it's like someone just flipped a switch and shut it off again," Bobby said.
"Good...now I can flatten you and continue my conversation with your pretty little sister," he said. Leo and Emma were ready to fight the creep, but they wouldn't need to, as the blade of a sword was suddenly at Vince's throat. He hadn't even heard David approach and his skin was barely millimeters from the blade.
"If you come near our children again, I will end you," he warned.
"That doesn't sound very hero-like," Vince taunted.
"Does it look like I give a damn about being a hero?" he asked, as he pressed the blade against the man's throat.
"Don't look at them, don't talk to them, don't go near them," he warned, before retracting his blade and shoving him back. Vince snarled and he and his brothers ventured into the jungle to cool off.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Snow asked, as she hovered over her youngest two.
"We're fine, Mom...but that guy is so creepy," Summer said, as David hugged her.
"Don't worry, peanut, we're going to figure a way out of this," he promised.
"I had it...I used my powers and then I got blocked again," Bobby told them.
"Really?" Snow asked. He nodded.
"It was like someone flipped my powers off like a switch," Bobby explained.
"Do you think Rourke really has some kind of device that can do that?" Leo asked.
"It's possible, I suppose. I mean, he used some high pitched frequency to knock us all out without lifting a finger," David replied, as he and Snow prepared to skin another boar they had trapped. They were about to continue the conversation when the three brothers returned.
"We found eggs," Logan, the youngest of the three, said. They looked to see the two large eggs that the brothers returned with and Leo's blood ran cold.
"Where...where did you find those?" he asked.
"There's a cave not far from here...they were just sitting there in a nest," Justin replied.
"Yeah...guess you're not the only ones that can forage," Vince said.
"Go put them back," Leo said in a measured tone.
"What? Why?" Logan asked.
"We ain't putting them back...we're scrambling them and they're for us and not you," Vince replied.
"You moron...go put them back! You don't understand what you've just done!" Leo cried.
"Honey…" Snow said, as she put her hand on his shoulder and then got a good look at the eggs.
"Are those…" she started to say and they heard a roaring above them. He nodded.
"Dragon eggs," he said.
"Shit…" Emma swore, as there was commotion among the rest of them.
"Slowly put them down in the sand...and let me handle this," he said, as a dragon flew overhead and Leo reached out to it with his senses. The dragon roared and breathed fire, as it landed before him.
"You can have your eggs back. They're morons and they didn't know what they were doing," Leo told the mother dragon.
"Hey…I'm a little sick of your attitude, kid," Vince said.
"Just shut up! If not for Leo, you would have gotten us all killed," David hissed back. The dragon sniffed him and then put her nose down toward him. He sighed in relief and gently petted her nose, before bringing the eggs to her.
"Thank you," he said, as she carefully got them in her talons and took to the sky again. They sighed in relief, as the creature disappeared.
"Okay...we need to move camp now. Fortunately, we can wrap our catch in those tarps and drag it with us in that russet sack," David said.
"Why are we moving?" Kenzie asked.
"Because thanks to this moron, the dragon knows we're here and we're way too close to her cave," Leo said.
"There is a large, fresh water stream we spotted this morning. It's a bit of a trek, but near it will be a good place to set up camp for the night," David said, as they packed up and started off through the jungle, packing all their supplies.
"Thanks to you...we have to drag all this crap to a new place," Heather complained.
"I'd watch your tongue, honey…" Vince warned.
"Save your threats...you've proven you're clearly out of your element, Mr. Tate," Snow said. He clenched his teeth and glared at their backs, but was silent, as they kept hiking. Summer almost tripped, but found that it was the young man named Trent that helped her and kept her from falling.
"Thanks," she said, giving him a smile. He smiled back shyly.
"You're welcome," he answered, as she trekked beside him.
"I...I listen to your sister's podcast all the time," he mentioned.
"Oh...that's great. She does a really great job," Summer said.
"She does...but I really liked the episodes that you came on as a guest," he replied. She almost blushed.
"That's sweet of you," she said, a bit awkwardly. She had a boyfriend, but she didn't want to be rude to him.
"So...you do dance and gymnastics?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yeah...but I was thinking about taking surfing lessons. It's my element and I really want to get more in tune with it," Summer replied.
"Wow...surfing. That's ambitious," he mentioned.
"Yeah...and maybe scuba diving. JJ really wants to learn scuba diving with me," she added.
"JJ?" he asked.
"Oh...my boyfriend," she replied. He nodded.
"That's not surprising...someone as beautiful as you would have a boyfriend," he muttered, but she heard him and it made things more awkward. Fortunately, they came to the large stream and began crossing it in knee deep water. They managed to find a good spot and made camp. Snow and David cleaned and cooked the game they had caught and after dinner, they noticed the dark, stormy clouds that had moved in.
"If this isn't a real damn island...then why the hell is there a storm?" Vince asked crossly.
"Because Rourke can do anything he wants...we need to find shelter. These trees are the worst spot," Xander said, as they doused the fire.
"Grab what you can...let's head to the mountains," David said, as he took Snow's hand and they suddenly heard a roaring.
"What was that?" Summer asked.
"The dragon from earlier?" Kenzie asked.
"No...something way worse…" Leo said.
The Jolly Roger popped up in the choppy waters and saw an expansive island before them.
"We made it!" Elsa said, as she smiled and they started untying themselves from the restraints.
"This doesn't appear to be the same beach where Rourke left them supplies. We must be on the other side of the island," Fandral surmised.
"Yes...because I don't remember seeing that," Paul mentioned, as they saw a massive ship wrecked on this beach.
"What ship is that?" Zorro asked.
"The Flying Dutchman," Killian said, spotting the name on a piece of the wreckage.
"Davy Jones wrecked his ship?" Regina asked.
"So it would appear," Killian answered.
"What does that mean?" Rose asked.
"No idea...we're in uncharted waters. None of the stories I know ever mentioned Davy Jones wrecking his ship. The Dutchman was supposed to be indestructible," he said.
"So was the Titanic," Regina muttered.
"Let's make landfall and find them," Killian said, as he prepared to bring them close enough to drop the anchor. But nature or whatever was controlling the nature in this place had other ideas. A storm suddenly moved in and black clouds overtook them, as the rain began to fall in sheets.
"We need to go below deck until this passes!" Killian called, as he prepared to drop the anchor. They would have to wait out the storm.
"I think we have bigger problems!" Zorro called, as they heard a roaring.
"What is that?" Rose asked, as Regina looked at the Captain.
"Is it…" she started to say, as they saw tentacles emerge from the choppy waters.
"Aye...a Kraken…" he uttered.
"Those are real too!?" JJ cried.
"Very real...man the cannons!" he called, as he and Paul started loading them. Fandral brandished his sword, as did Zorro, as they prepared to fight the monster head on...