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
Davy Jones: Bill Nighy (by popular demand)
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Grace5231973: Me too, I hope they can stop it too. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jennifer Baratta: Glad you enjoyed it and are looking forward to part 2. Yes, I think they will lose bad in the end too.
Number Ten: I'm glad they're back too, even if it's complete chaos now. We may or may not find out what his original name was. Yeah, Henry at least got his family to safety. I know, I hope they rescue James and Aphrodite too. I think you might be surprised by Johnny. :)
Zariah: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, there is a lot going on and it's pretty dicey. Hopefully, they can find a way to take back the United Realms. Glad you like the Davy Jones/Odysseus connection. Yeah, unfortunately, Runeard's powers were not turned off with the rest of the magic. I'm glad Henry got his family to safety too. Yes, we are about to find out if Johnny is serious about reform. Yeah, James and Aphrodite are trapped again. Glad you enjoyed it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, it was quite a chapter! Yes, what Hyde has developed should be interesting. Yep, James has some good quips. Yeah, I liked that flashback of little Aphrodite too. Thanks, I'm glad you like the inclusion of these ancient stories and find them interesting. Yeah, Maui was a loose canon for sure. Yep, Aphrodite found the perfect champions. Yeah, this Davy Jones was noble and sacrificed himself so his brother could stay with his family. Yep, Rourke was abandoned too, but yeah I think Davy would have loved him if Rourke had given him a chance. I know, Bobby has such a mouth and I love it. Yeah, it's mutual. The Charmings hope they never see Goldie again too. Yep, Phoebus is free again and Henry has been captured. At least Ella and Lucy are safe though for now. Yep, Blackbeard is no match for Fandral the Dashing. Yep, Rourke is going down, eventually. Yep, Natalie will protect her child, but I think Johnny may surprise you. Yep, all the Kingdoms are being invaded and it all rests on the Charming family to fix it once again. Glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: Yep, they're not in the locker anymore Rourke and they're coming for you. Yeah, it seems to be a theme. Most villains have family problems. Some overcome them and some like Rourke don't. Yeah, I kind of did my own thing with Gaia being mother Earth and separating her heart into tailsmans before passing. The talismans became the Chalice, the heart of the ocean, and Maui's fish hook. Yeah, I'm afraid Rourke is going to find it and Prince Goddess is trapped in a snow globe now. Yeah, the time is a bit murky, but Adonis would have probably been before Odysseus and then Clayton came along a few hundred years before Snow and David. So somewhere in there when Aphrodite was between champions and the chalice was dormant. Someday I'm going to have to figure out this timeline. Yes, Davy Jones is just the name of the job more or less so he probably had a different name and Trent and that is probably an alias he used to insert himself into their group at Rourke's orders. We may find out more about his past later or maybe other Davy Jones'. Yes, Gaia's heart is split into three pieces. The Chalice, given to Dione and then Aphrodite. The heart of the ocean, given to Poseidon and Hades, which they used to commission the position of Davy Jones, and the weapon, which Maui had until his older brother Tao was tasked with hiding it in the jar and his family had it. And Tao made it so only the truest loves could open the jar. I think Rourke is just as dangerous, if not more so, because he knows about the fish hook and is close to getting it. Yep, straight into battle and no one needs to hear from Goldie. Originally, I had her dying on the island, but then it just didn't make it so I decided to wait. Her time may be coming though. Yeah, Clayton really is the big bad in all this. He appeared first in chapter 16 and is still haunting them, even from beyond now. Yeah, getting out of all this might be a squeaker this time. Yep, another cliffhanger and I'll warn you, this chapter also ends in quite the cliffhanger. Glad you're enjoying! :)
The Grey Jedi 2020: Since Zeus is dead, I'm guessing the cure is permanent for Avery. Plus, even if Aphrodite could heal him, I doubt she would since he obviously can't trusted. Well, this version of Aphrodite where she has actual parents is less creepy than the version of her where she appears full grown from sea foam. In this, Zeus wasn't like that until after he lost Dione and then after he was forced to erase most of Aphrodite's memories. With the heart, he can do a lot of things. Glad you like Davy Jones' back story. I really wanted to connect someone to Odysseus and here was the perfect opportunity. The name Davy Jones in this version is more of a title. When you take up this mantle, that's your name so I'm sure he has a real name from before. Yeah, another terrible parent. Yes, Clayton is dead for good. Yeah, prison break time. Probably won't end well. Yep, Henry is still a badass. Yes, an Asgardian against Zombie pirates, basically. If we do a little timeline math, I would say Rourke stole his father's heart sometime before the curse. We know he was lurking around Longbourne when David was a shepherd. It let them travel during the curse, along with Clayton's submarine coated in mermaid scales. So...probably sixty plus years, maybe more and we're talking all the realms. So yeah...that's a lot of dead souls. Yeah, David is a pretty simple guy with few rules, but don't threaten Snow is numbers 1-3 at least. Yeah, I think Johnny might surprise everyone. Rumple has come a long way though. Glad you enjoyed part 1. :)
Finding You Always
Chapter 246: Under Siege, Pt 2
"We'll be safe here," Frankie said.
"Don't be so sure about that," a voice said and she looked up toward the Inn side where he stood.
"Johnny…" she uttered.
"You're here," she said. He shrugged.
"They emptied the prison, as you said...and Rourke is paying very handsomely for recruits," he said. She held her son tightly and slowly put her hand on the gun on her hip, ready to protect them all if needed.
"Fortunately, I'm not an idiot like Rourke or my father. Going against the Charmings, even when they're down, is asking for death," he added. Natalie blanched and looked at him skeptically.
"So...you're not working for Rourke?" she asked. He scoffed.
"Please…I hate that bloody wanker. He was always following father around like a shadow when I was a tiny lad. Magic, magic magic, power, power, power it was with that one," he complained. Natalie sighed and removed her hand from the gun.
"So...you're not here to capture us or anything?" she asked.
"No…I'm here to protect my son and his mother. A child of Charming and Clayton blood...Rourke would love to mold him into a weapon," Johnny replied.
"I think we're pretty safe here," Frankie said.
"Wrong mate...this place is crawling with zombie pirates and real live criminals from the prison," Johnny replied, as they heard screaming outside.
"We need to go," he said.
"But where?" Thalia asked. Natalie looked at them.
"Bald Mountain…" she said.
"David said if something like this ever happened that I needed to get myself and Levi to Bald Mountain. It's one place they can't get in," Natlie replied.
"Do you know how to get in?" Johnny asked.
"Hyde uses it as a secret lab now...he's probably there. He'll let us in, but it's a trek," Natalie replied.
"Either of you have a car?" he asked Joe and Frankie.
"The catering van...out back. It's big enough for all of us," Joe said, as Frankie bundled their daughter up and they made their way out the back.
A stretcher burst through the door, as the paramedics, one being JJ brought in a victim with a stab wound. Summer followed them in and stayed back near the nurse's desk. They had been on their way to the diner too with Natalie to make sure everyone there was safe, but happened upon a victim bleeding outside his shop. Summer recognized the person as the owner of the Hardware store and it was easy to see the shop had been ransacked for tool-like weapons and money.
"What do we have?" Paul asked, as he emerged from the O.R. with Eva. Their scrubs were blood stained and they were fresh off another emergency surgery. Whale emerged as well, evident that he was also overwhelmed with injuries.
"This is insanity…" he muttered.
"Stab wound...it hit an artery. He needs to go now," JJ reported. Paul checked the wound and Summer could see it on her brother-in-law's face. If there was magic, Eva probably would have been able to stabilize him long enough for a transfusion, but there was no magic right now, at least for anyone other than Rourke.
"Pupils fixed and dilated," Eva muttered, as she lowered her head and Paul used his stethoscope to check the man's heartbeat and then regrettably covered him with the sheet.
"I'm sorry...too much blood loss," he said. Eva pushed away from the table and started to pace.
"Eva…" Paul called.
"I could have saved him!" she exclaimed.
"Under normal circumstances...yes, but this isn't on you and you know that," he insisted. Logically, she knew he was right and Summer rushed up to hug her big sister. Eva sniffed.
"This shouldn't be happening," she said.
"I know…" Paul said, as he hugged her too and JJ hugged Summer.
"Sorry to be the sour note, but we have more random people coming into the emergency room. We could use you both in triage," Whale said. Summer nodded and went with JJ to help out in the emergency room.
"I really hope your parents get a handle on this or we're going to be swarmed," Whale said.
"Mom and Dad have never let us down...and they won't start now," Eva said sharply. Whale nodded and they all went back to treating patients.
Rose shot down another of the undead creatures that were crawling all over their Kingdom, from her place in a courtyard tree. Her husband was on the ground and left a pile of zombies in his wake.
"Where do you think these things came from?" Rose asked, as he offered his hand to her and she took it, before jumping down beside him.
"It must be Rourke's doing somehow. Releasing ruffians from the prison isn't enough. He's trying to overwhelm us with the undead," Fandral replied.
"Davy Jones…" she realized.
"Yes...except we have a couple of live ones it looks like," Fandral said, as he pointed ahead of them, only for them to see her criminal Uncle and his right hand, Sir Hiss, trying to sneak onto the grounds. She rolled her eyes.
"You'd think he'd give up trying to take our Kingdom back and slink into obscurity with his new freedom," she said. Fandral smirked.
"He's not that smart," he joked, as they approached the two hand in hand.
"Sire...this place is crawling with Royal Guard," Hiss warned.
"Pipe down Hiss...this is my castle! I know the ins and outs," Prince John insisted.
"But Sire…" Hiss whined.
"Quiet Hiss...my troublesome niece and her brute of a husband are too busy in all this chaos. This is the perfect time for me to take back my Throne," John claimed, as he opened an outside hatch, revealing a dumbwaiter.
"See Hiss? We use this dumbwaiter to get in and hide. Then when the time is right...we strike," John said. Hiss sighed and then noticed a shadow fall over them. He turned and looked up, finding Fandral looking down at them with a bored look.
"Sire…" Hiss hissed.
"Not now Hiss," John snapped, as he was trying to fit himself inside the tiny compartment.
"But Sire…" Hiss warned.
"Help Hiss...I think I'm stuck!" John exclaimed.
"That's because you're twice the size of that opening. Prison food must not be all that terrible," Fandral said, as the former ruler looked up at him and then tried in vain to pull himself free of the compartment. Fandral yanked him from the opening and tossed him to the ground.
"I will not be manhandled!" John shouted, as he picked himself up and got to his feet.
"Did you really think another of your hair brained schemes would work?" Rose asked incredulously.
"You've crossed me for the last time, Rose Red and I will take back my Throne from you!" John claimed.
"Not today, gents...or ever for that matter," Fandral said, as he extracted his sword. John cried out in terror and tried to hide behind Hiss, who was trembling in fear as well.
"There you are...I'm glad you're back," Sif said, as she joined them in the courtyard.
"Yes...just dealing with a bit of trash. Guards...take our guests to a holding cell in the cellar. We'll return them to the prison later after Rourke is defeated and all is right again," Fandral said, as John and Hiss were dragged away, kicking and screaming.
"There is no way you can possibly be related to that cowardly, pudgy man," Sif said to Rose.
"I wish I wasn't...though I guess most families have one of those," Rose replied.
"Is there something urgent?" Fandral asked.
"Yes...very much so. We've gotten through to Valkyrie just now," Sif replied.
"Is everything okay there?" Rose asked.
"There yes...here not so much and I don't mean Rourke," Sif replied.
"What do you mean then?" Fandral asked. She sighed.
"It would appear that the urn containing the Enchantress is gone," Sif said.
"Gone? What do you mean gone?" he asked with an edge in his voice.
"Valkyrie isn't sure...but she thinks the snap may have inadvertently freed her and she thinks that she is not only free, but no longer in their realm," Sif replied.
"You mean…" Rose said. She nodded regrettably.
"She may be here and she may look like anyone...she has the power to change her appearance," Sif said. Fandral instinctively put his arm around Rose's waist.
"Then the entire Kingdom must be on high alert," he said, as he took her hand and signaled for his horse.
"Fandral...where are we going?" Rose asked.
"I must take you somewhere safe and there is only one place I know where that will be right now," Fandral replied.
"Fandral…I am not leaving my Kingdom in its time of need. I am Queen and I must stay!" she insisted. He sighed.
"My angel...I know that you want to stay, but I cannot leave your side knowing that this demon is loose. I cannot lose you," he lamented.
"And you won't...don't leave my side then. We will stand and defend our Kingdom together," she said. He sighed.
"Hiding Rose also will not draw Amora out. If she's here...she may reveal herself," Sif reminded him.
"That is what I fear," he countered.
"But we will be ready...no harm will come to her," Sif said, as she put her hands on Rose's shoulders. Rose smiled and squeezed her hand, before slipping her arms around her husband's neck.
"No harm will come to me with Sif and my handsome Knight protecting me," she said, nuzzling her nose against his. As usual, he gave in to her and she kissed him tenderly.
"Come...we've retaken Andresia. We can dispatch some of our soldiers to assist other Kingdoms," he said, as he led her back into their palace with Sif following them.
Phillip glared at the usurper, as he waltzed into their palace, among the members of Rourke's extensive network that had been released from prison, a few of his own soldiers that they had just learned were moles all along, and Phoebus, who was leading them all. It was happening in almost every Kingdom, as it was proven that Rourke really did have sleepers in every Kingdom and even their law enforcement. Add to that, they were being overrun with a plethora of undead creatures that were difficult to vanquish and didn't tire.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Phoebus asked, as he and Aurora were restrained. He and Avery had left the Flying Dutchman to assist in the invasion, while Rourke forced the Charmings to take him to Cibola.
"If you think for a moment you're going to get away with any of this...then you really are incompetent!" Phillip said hotly, as Mulan was led in and he was shocked to see that even his best warrior had been captured.
"Mulan…" Aurora said.
"Don't worry...Phillip Jr. is safe," she revealed.
"We have a wolf tracking your wolf...that won't be true for long," Phoebus interjected.
"Not even Seth could defeat the Charmings...and neither will Rourke," Phillip said.
"He has already captured them. It's over," Phoebus replied.
"Sir…Fandral has retaken Andresia," one of his soldiers whispered, as Avery returned.
"Did you find her?" the former Captain asked, referring to Red.
"No...the scent is cold," Avery replied.
"Then go to Andresia...you have the best chance against Fandral," Phoebus said.
"He's an Asgardian, you simpleton...he's much stronger than me and more skilled with a blade. I don't have a death wish," Avery snapped in return. Mulan smirked.
"If Fandral has retaken his Kingdom...then he'll go to free Snow and David. Then you're done," she warned.
"Lock them up!" Phoebus snapped to the guards, as he took a seat in Phillip's Throne.
"What of the other Kingdoms?" he asked.
"We've taken all of them, except Agrabah and Oz," Avery replied.
"Then refocus our efforts there and we have to hope Rourke will use the magic to deal with Fandral," Phoebus said. Avery put his cigarette out and left to deal with Oz first.
"This way!" Dorothy called, as she led Red through the labyrinth of tunnels beneath the Emerald palace. Glinda had been captured to distract them and allow some to escape to the catacombs below. On Red's back was Phillip Jr, Lucy, and Jacinda.
"Lucy!" Alice called, as Red deposited them in the safe room below. Alice and Jade hugged Jacinda and Lucy, while Zelena stood at the viewing screen in the room that allowed her to view the various cameras in the Kingdom. She sighed and started toward the exit.
"Mom...what are you doing?" Jade asked.
"I'm going to fight, of course...they're about to see how wicked I can still be," Zelena replied.
"But none of us have any magic right now...you can't go," Alice protested, as they put Red's cloak on her and she changed back to her human form.
"She's right, Mom...and you're not exactly known for hand to hand combat," Jade said, as she grabbed her bow.
"Fortunately, I've taken a page from Dad's book and can pick off any that get too close to the palace," Jade said.
"I'll go with you and head off a huge problem," Red replied, as they saw a man terrorizing munchkin land.
"Who is that?" Zelena asked.
"Another wolf...except he can't transform anymore. But he's still really strong and dangerous," Red replied, as she transformed again and headed out, while Jade headed for the roof.
"Whoa...that's like the coolest gun I've ever seen," Gideon marveled, as they looked at the new weapons that Hyde and Hiram had created.
"They are pretty awesome," Olivia agreed, as they shared a smile.
"Guns? That's your weapon?" Rumple asked, unimpressed.
"Oh no...these are not your typical guns as they do not expend bullets," Hyde said, as he picked one of the larger rifle sized ones.
"These are ionic ray blasters," he said, as he fired a blue sphere of energy at the target on the wall, obliterating it.
"They will blast through any matter, even decaying matter like the zombies that are currently overrunning us. This one is obviously on the kill setting, but they can also be set lower to stun an opponent," Hyde said.
"That's more like it," Rumple said, as he picked up one of the pistol sized ones and holstered it.
"I hope you have more than four of these," he said.
"Of course, Dark One...but distributing them will take time since I must do so myself. Hiram will stay here with Olivia," he said, as picked up a large case.
"Be careful," Olivia said, as she hugged him. He allowed himself a small smile.
"I will return soon, young one," he assured her.
"You must stay here with Gideon as well," Rumple suggested.
"No…I can work a blaster as well as you can, Rumple. I'm going with you," she said, as she grabbed one too.
"Belle…" he started to protest.
"You're not going to win this one...trust me," Hyde interjected.
"I don't need your help on this," Rumple hissed.
"No...but you do need my help with transportation around the realms without magic. Fortunately, we've been working on perfecting our teleportation capabilities," Hyde said.
"Like the teleportation pad you used to get the Chalice to David when Jekyll tried to trap him?" Belle asked. He nodded.
"Yes, but we scrapped the pad design and made it more portable," he said, as he opened a small case and revealed what looked like several keychain type laser pointers.
"Eventually, we hope to create a network of portals around the realms that work with biorhythmic signatures. But for now, this is what we came up with. Press the button and it will flash through a series of portals to all the realms, allowing instantaneous travel to the realm of your choosing," Hyde said.
"That's amazing," Belle replied, as she took one of the devices and he did too.
"Good luck," he said, as he made his choice and it was no surprise that Andresia would be his first stop.
"Where should we go first?" Belle asked.
"None of this matters if we don't help Snow and David regain control. Once the Chalice has power again and magic returns, Rourke and his entire network is done. We must go to Mu," Rumple replied. She nodded, as they chose their location and stepped through the portal.
"Truly magnificent...even more so up close," Rourke commented, as they arrived on the small island of Cibola. They didn't know if Mu was being overrun too, but considering they knew the prison had been emptied, it was a foregone conclusion that the evil from the ancient Mu that they had locked up would probably invade.
"Now...you'll take me to the top of that tower where you hid the weapon," Rourke said.
"The ancient texts were pretty clear that only someone of the truest love's bloodline can ascend those stairs," Bobby said.
"He's right, son...this could mean our demise," Davy warned.
"The heart of the ocean will shield us from harm...you know that. Now move...or I remove the spell that fixed her ankle," Rourke threatened. David got in his face at that and he smirked at the Prince.
"Keep threatening her and I'll end you...just like I ended Jekyll," he warned. But Rourke smirked and used the heart, causing David to collapse into the sand. Snow cried out in alarm and crashed to her knees beside him, as Henry and Bobby were by her side.
"Charming!" she cried, as she tried to shake him awake.
"What have you done!?" she screamed at him.
"None of you have any power and I grow tired of your insolence. You'll take me to the top of that tower or I'll kill your son and grandson. I may need the Chalice...but don't think I won't resort to killing either of them," Rourke warned.
"Charming...wake up…" she pleaded.
"We will be leaving him behind…" Rourke said, as he grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.
"Get your hands off my Mom!" Bobby cried.
"I can wake him!" Snow insisted.
"Then do so...but he steps out of line again and I'll break bones next time," he warned, as he released her and let her kneel beside him.
"Charming...wake up. I need you," she pleaded, as she kissed him passionately.
David looked around, finding himself surrounded by thick fog, and wearing his formal red coat. He walked through the fog and then saw a man standing there and by his appearance and military type armor, he knew who this was.
"You're the Dragon King," David said, with a note of disdain. The man smirked.
"I am...and I take it by your tone that you have your opinions of me," Esteban replied.
"You surrounded yourself with snakes and let them degrade the woman you love on a daily basis. You were so afraid that they would think you were weak that you refused her any comfort or affection in public," he said sternly. He nodded.
"You're right...and your criticism is well deserved. I made many mistakes and those mistakes led to our untimely deaths," he admitted.
"And now Snow and I are left to deal with more than our fair share of evil, as are our children," David added. Esteban smirked.
"Yes...and for that I am deeply sorry, but we can't all be Prince Charming," he mused and David sighed, realizing that he was being pretty harsh.
"I'm sorry...I'm just not one to hide my feelings, but I also know that I could have more tact too," he said.
"I admire that, actually. I wish I could go back...but since I cannot, it is my duty to help my successor," Esteban replied.
"The weapon that Rourke is after…" David said. He nodded.
"He must not get it...or keep it rather," the Dragon King warned.
"That's going to be a bit tough. I won't let him hurt my family," David said.
"As you shouldn't...but once you're inside the Temple, you'll have some advantages against him," Esteban replied.
"What kind of advantages?" David asked.
"Well…I can't exactly tell you directly," he replied. David rolled his eyes.
"Of course not...that would be too easy," he said sarcastically. Esteban gave him a genuine smile.
"I know it's frustrating...but I can tell you that even if Rourke gets the weapon, all will not be lost," he said.
"How does that work?" David asked in confusion. He smirked.
"The reason that there is no magic now is that the heart of the ocean is an absorbent entity and the weapon is an emitter. The Chalice is the balance between them," he explained.
"So the heart of the ocean absorbs magic?" David asked. He nodded.
"That's how it allows Davy Jones to fulfil his purpose. He absorbs the natural magic from the ocean to power his vessel and access the All World River, in order to guide souls to the Underworld or on some occasions deliver them to the locker or beyond if they deserve a place worse than the judgement of the Underworld," Esteban replied.
"Like the special place that Nyx sent Clayton to," David said. He nodded curtly.
"Then the weapon is an emitter which will return magic to everyone?" he asked.
"Perhaps…" Esteban replied vaguely.
"So even if he gets the weapon...we get back magic. Something tells me he's not counting on that," David said.
"Yes...but he will be incredibly powerful with the weapon, if he can keep it," Esteban replied.
"Can Snow and I wield it like the Chalice?" he asked. He nodded curtly.
"Yes...but it can be utilized to its full potential in your son's hands," Esteban replied. David sighed.
"I know this is not a burden you wish to have on any of your children...but your youngest has been chosen for this. It's his weapon to wield," Esteban said.
"I know...doesn't mean Snow and I have to like it, but we'll do whatever we have to in order to get it in his hands. Then Rourke is done…" David replied.
"I wish you luck, but with the love and strength this family has...I have no doubt that you will prevail," Esteban said.
"Thanks...and sorry I was so harsh before," David replied, as he heard Snow's voice calling to him.
"You weren't wrong. No go...your love calls you," he said, as David disappeared.
"Charming...wake up. I need you," she pleaded, as she kissed him passionately. His eyes opened and he slowly sat up, as their lips parted.
"Welcome back," Rourke drawled, as the Prince shot to his feet.
"You…" he said threateningly.
"Easy there hothead or I'll do worse this time and a kiss won't wake you up," he replied, as David recalled his meeting with the Dragon King.
"Fine...let's just get this over with. We'll get you that weapon...and we'll still defeat you," David said. Rourke smirked.
"Challenge accepted," he said, as they started climbing the stairs.
"Dad...what are you doing? We can't give him the weapon," Bobby hissed quietly. David put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. Snow watched the expression on her husband's face and read him like a book.
"It's okay sweetie, I know your Dad and if he says this is what we should do...then it is," she soothed, as she put her hand on his other shoulder. He looked between his parents and saw the glance they were sharing, quickly getting the picture and continued climbing the stairs between them.
"I assume you have hidden the pen here too, author?" he asked.
"My name is Henry...not author and no, I didn't hide it in the same place," Henry replied.
"Then after I get the weapon, you'll take me to it," Rourke said, as they climbed the stairs in silence. David squeezed her hand and she glanced at him. He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her hair, which was a clear sign that he somehow knew something Rourke wasn't aware of or counting on. She hoped so, because every Kingdom was once again counting on them.
They reached the top at last and entered the Temple. Rourke and Davy Jones were protected from the power of the Temple by the heart and looked around in fascination.
"So...this is the Temple of the Children of the Sun," Rourke said in awe.
"Truest loves," David corrected.
"The Kingdom of Hiva and the Mu people coined the term Children of the Sun though. They worshipped the sun, but now that All Mighty sun is about to set on this pair. Your time is at an end and my time is here," Rourke said.
"I've spent my entire existence in the shadows, but finally, all will know me and I'll realize Clayton's vision," he added.
"You spent your time in the shadows, because Clayton just used you to do his dirty work," David said.
"Clayton took me in when I was starving on the village streets of my Longborne. I loved him like a father," he snapped in return.
"Yet he would have sacrificed you in an instant if it suited him," Snow said.
"She's right, son...I'm sorry I wasn't there. You know I would have been if it was possible," Davy Jones said.
"Save it…" Rourke snapped, as he looked at Snow.
"And I know the kind of man the Collector was...it doesn't change what he did for me. He still treated me like an equal and taught me everything I know. Nothing would have become of me without him. He made me...and I will get revenge for him," he said, as opened the box and the heart of the ocean filled the Temple with peridot light.
"Now...retrieve the weapon for me or I remove the spell I used and her ankle breaks again, quite painfully," he warned. David glared at him and they turned to the Temple wall with all the hieroglyphs that represented their story.
"It requires the Chalice to retrieve it," Snow said. He eyed them both and then willed power to their Chalice, which glowed.
"No sneaky moves or I'll break her neck instead of her ankle," he warned. David clenched his fists. Rourke kept threatening to hurt Snow and it was taking everything he had not to pummel the evil man. But he knew it would do more harm than good at this point. The wall reacted to the Chalice and glowed a multitude of colors, as the squares slid aside and revealed the jar inside.
"Open it," he ordered, as Bobby did so and Rourke grasped the hook at last, as it glowed with an array of colors.
"At last...it's mine. I've won...or I soon will," he muttered, as David pulled his family back.
"Dad...why did we just let him have it?" Bobby asked. David smirked.
"Charming...did you see something when you were unconscious?" she asked.
"The Dragon King gave me a head's up. Feel any different?" he asked his son and Bobby realized that magic had returned.
"I…I don't understand?" Henry asked.
"The heart of the ocean gives me my power and draws magic in, allowing it only for use by the bearer," Davy Jones said. David nodded.
"He's right...and the hook is an emitter. He'll be insanely powerful with it, but so will we," David replied, as the Chalice separated into their respective weapons and Bobby's hands glowed peridot with magic.
"How is this possible!?" Rourke questioned.
"All magic, except true love's magic, comes with a price. That hook just returned magic to everyone," David said smugly. Rourke smirked.
"Then so be it...I now have control of all the elements," Rourke said, as they heard thunder booming outside and he disappeared.
"Dammit...we need to head him off," David said, as they rushed outside and started down the stairs.
"We have a problem," Davy Jones said, as he pointed at the ocean once they reached the bottom of the steps. There was a massive hurricane brewing.
"Without the heart...I cannot get control of the sea and sailing in this is suicide, even for me," Davy Jones said.
"Pleasure Island...that's where he'll go first," Snow deduced.
"She's right...let's go," he said, as a portal opened and deposited Rumple and Belle.
"I see magic is back...does that mean you have the hook?" he asked.
"Afraid not...Rourke has it, but that's why magic is back. It's going to give us a fighting chance," Snow said. David nodded.
"Snow and I can wield it if we get it, but it's best in Bobby's hands. It's meant for him," he said.
"Then we better get it and soon or all is lost," Rumple said.
"We are on our way to Pleasure Island," Snow said, as they all disappeared in a puff of smoke.
The people of Arendelle, including their leaders, were packed into the dungeons in the bowels of the Castle and Leo would have been pacing if there was room.
"Leo…" Elsa said, as she made him sit down again.
"I'm sorry...I just hate this. You're the Queen and he is a disgrace," he said.
"Yeah…I can see why memories of him were erased from the history books. Another psychopathic tyrant and mass murderer," Kristoff mentioned.
"Which is why he shouldn't have been erased. We need to know our history or it is doomed to repeat," Anna said.
"She's right...though he was thought to be dead, after all. But as usual, Blue found a way to screw us all over, even from the afterlife. I hope that blue flea is boiling in Tartarus right now," Leo said darkly, as they heard the wind batter against the walls.
"Wow...that sounds like some storm," Kristoff commented, as Leo and Elsa's hands suddenly lit up with dark blue and light blue magic respectively.
"Our magic...it's back!" Leo said with excitement.
"Your parents did it!" Elsa realized.
"Except I don't think they did or we wouldn't be experiencing hurricane type winds," Anna said worriedly.
"She's right...but magic is still back and that gives us a fighting chance against whatever the hell Rourke is up to," Leo said, as Elsa's magic hit the dungeon bars and they crumbled under the stress of her extreme cold. She did the same to all the cells and they led their people back to the main level of the palace to retake it.
The hospital doors slid open and Dr. Hector LaGuerra waltzed in, fresh from the prison, along with his consort, Malina Pizarro. Summer and JJ headed them off in the Lobby.
"You can't come in here," JJ said. He smirked.
"I am a doctor...a hospital is the place for me," Hector said smoothly.
"You're no doctor...you're a butcher," Summer hissed. He smirked.
"And you're a magicless little girl...who I'd love to be one of my subjects," he leered.
"Not happening, psycho," JJ growled, as Paul and Eva returned from the operating room to handle the next patient.
"Get out!" Paul called.
"Careful Doctor...I don't think some of these people can afford to lose your skill," the other doctor threatened. The lights in the hospital flickered and the two young women felt their hands tingle.
"Magic...it's back!" Eva called, as her hands glowed pink. Summer smiled, as hers glowed lavender and the two convicts tried to run, but were caught in one of Summer's bubbles.
"No inflicting horrors for you," she said. Eva then made her way around triage to heal those she could without surgery.
As they made their way out of Storybrooke, they witnessed the chaos that had enveloped all the realms. They made it to the Harbor and saw that it had been retaken by their side. Agent Harding and the Major flagged their vehicle down.
"What's he doing with you?" Danielle questioned.
"It's okay...he helped us. He's not a threat," Natalie replied. She relaxed a little.
"We're headed for Bald Mountain," she said. The Major nodded.
"Go with them...see that they get there okay. We've got things under control. Danielle nodded, as she hopped into the van.
"Your Majesties...the palace is secure," Bianca said, as she gazed at him hungrily. They were now aware that she was among them, but had no idea she was right in front of them.
"Thank you Bianca," Rose said, as she slipped her arms around her husband's waist. Fandral couldn't relax and was incredibly restless.
"My love...you should be out there helping the other Kingdoms. I will be fine here," she said, but he shook his head.
"I cannot leave you knowing that monstrous witch is out there. She is just waiting for me to leave your side so she can harm you. Sif is leading the rescue operation for me," he said.
"Then I will go with you and we will join Sif," Rose replied.
"That doesn't sound entirely safe either," he grumbled. She smiled and kissed him tenderly, making Amora boil in her new skin.
"You know I'm an excellent shot with my bow and you'd rather have me at your side than any other warrior," she mused. He smirked.
"That is true…" he said, as he kissed her again. At that moment, a portal opened up in their Throne room and deposited Hyde.
"Hyde...how did you use a portal with no magic?" Rose asked.
"Hiram and I have been working on modifying our teleportation pad into something more practical," he answered, showing them the small device in his hand.
"That's incredible," Rose marveled. He smiled genuinely. Rose always appreciated science and his inventions.
"Quite...and this is for you, my Queen," he said.
"A gun?" she asked.
"No...a high frequency ionic ray blaster. It has the ability to stun...and kill if needed. It does not require magic either," he replied.
"That's wonderful...and couldn't come at a better time," Fandral said.
"I assume you mean with what's going on...but is there something else?" Hyde asked.
"I'm afraid so...the Enchantress is free and we believe she is here. Unfortunately, she has the ability to look like anyone and Rose is in terrible danger," Fandral replied.
"Then her safety is priority, even over the liberation of other Kingdoms," Hyde said and Fandral nodded. Rose sighed and looked at them both indignantly.
"If you think I am staying here while others suffer, I have news for you both. And with this new weapon, I now have a way to defend myself even more so. We're going," Rose declared.
"My love…" Fandral started to protest.
"I am not changing my mind on this, Fandral. I will not let that witch have me cowering in hiding," Rose said sternly. Hyde smirked. There were not many that could bend an Asgardian to their will, but he was no match for his petite, headstrong Queen.
"My Lady...please allow me to come with you, if Mr. Hyde has another weapon?" Bianca asked.
"Oh Bianca...that is very brave of you to offer, but I need you here with the children," Rose replied. Bianca clenched her teeth.
"There are others for that, my Queen. I insist on seeing to your safety," she said briskly.
"I'm afraid I have to protest," Hyde replied. She eyed him suspiciously.
"Excuse me?" Bianca asked.
"Yes...because I don't believe you're Bianca at all, are you?" Hyde asked.
"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Hyde," she protested.
"Bianca...your hands are glowing," Rose said. Bianca looked down and smirked.
"Well, well...it appears that magic is back and the jig is up," she said, as she smirked deviously and it looked foreign on the face of her head handmaiden.
"Bianca?" Rose asked.
"Not Bianca…" Fandral growled, as he drew his blade, but she used her magic to pull Rose toward her and then put her in a headlock, before putting a blade to her throat.
"Hello my love," she said.
"I am not your love, Amora...let her go," Fandral growled.
"Afraid not, lover...not one step or my blade slips and slits her throat," Amora warned, as she stood off against Fandral and Hyde, the two men that would do anything to save Rose Red...