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: Yep, it's pretty exciting. Glad you're enjoying!
Jennifer Baratta: So glad you're enjoying!
Number Ten: Yep, the jig is up for Amora. Hopefully, Bianca can still be saved. We shall see. Glad you enjoyed it!
Sexystarwarslover: I know, another cliffhanger. Yep, Hyde figured it out and you'll find out why he knew, even before her hands were glowing. Yep, Rourke is behind the emptying of the prison. Yep, Johnny has a brain and has decided to walk to the side of good. I think he does still love her, but I think he knows she's moved on with Diego. Yeah, they are over run with injuries at the hospital. Yep, prison break and Rose's uncle is back trying to sneak into the palace. I had to throw them in for comic relief. Yep, now they know that Amora is on the loose. Yep, all the Kingdoms are under siege and some of them have been captured. Rourke is definitely the worst. And David meets the Dragon King at last. He was a little cold to him, but softened up a bit at the end. Yep, Rourke may have the Charmings captive, but it is definitely not over. Yes, it's a very big responsibility on Bobby's shoulders. Rourke got the fish hook, but magic is also back so it's time for an epic battle. Yep, Hyde knows that's not the real Bianca. Glad you're enjoying!
Grace5231973: Yep, Amora is outed, but unfortunately she has Rose captive. Yep, at least it's a level playing field now. Yeah, I like Hyde using science to help in a non mad scientist Jekyll sort of way, lol. Yeah, Gideon and Olivia are very cute. I actually had a scene in mind for Tink and Neal. It was supposed to be the 2nd to last scene, but I was really running short on time during the last update, so that scene is actually the very first scene in this chapter. Nope, Rose and Belle are not going to stand on the sidelines. Glad you're enjoying!
Zariah: Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, glad you like the character interactions. Yep, it seems Johnny is trying to change and he was serious about it. Amora has been revealed, but she has Rose and that's terrible. Yep, it should be action packed! Hope you continue to enjoy!
AnonSnowing: Yeah, Rourke would want to mold Levi into a weapon and Johnny doesn't want that for his son. Yeah, losing patients if very hard for Eva. Lol, King John is an idiot. I had to throw him in there for comic relief. I know, I have no idea how Rose can possibly related to this man. Lol, yeah all three of them gave in. Rourke and Phoebus are foolish to think that they've beat the Charmings just like that. No, they don't stand a chance against Fandral. Yep, Rourke is taking over. They have a serious battle ahead. David never expressed that he didn't like the Dragon King. But he's going off what Snow has told him and she expressed how lucky she felt compared to the Dragon Queen, because the Dragon King too often refused her physical affection in public in fear of being seen as weak. To David, that would be offensive and off putting, as he would never even dream of doing the same to Snow. He softened up a bit at the end when he discovered that his preconceived notions about Esteban were simplistic and it was a much more complicated situation than he originally understood. Rourke is arrogant and that will come back to bite him. Defensive Charming is super hot, I agree. No, they didn't kill the Nazi doctor. Just arrested him. Yep, Hyde's inventions will come in handy. Yep, Hyde has spotted the fraud. Don't worry...I won't kill Rose. I might just scare you a bit. Glad you're enjoying it!
The Grey Jedi 2020: Yeah, Johnny has chosen a different path than the rest of the Clayton line. Which is likely the end of a reign of terror for his family. No, it's not her first lost patient. Remember, she couldn't save Nora and there has been a few others I'm sure. But this was because someone took her ability to even try away. So it's even worse for her in this moment. Yeah, I love having Fandral here to give off the Marvel vibes. I couldn't help it. I had to include John here for some comic relief. Yep, they know Amora is lurking now. Yeah, Phoebus is the usurper and Agrabah and Oz are holding their own. I imagine by now that Red is able to shift no matter what. Plus the weather is going crazy and with the moon cycle being out of whack, that might actually work in her favor. Yep, blasters. Not sure we're getting lightsabers though. Yep, Rourke has pretty much sealed his fate. LaGuerra is the Nazi doctor working for Clayton. He was the one removing mermaid scales when they were in Atlantis. Yep, Hyde knows. Her glowing hands was a dead giveaway, but there was another subtle reason he knew that you'll find out about in this chapter. Yep, three parter. Glad you're enjoying!
Finding You Always
Chapter 247: Under Siege, Pt 3
Tink and Neal patrolled Storybrooke, trying to prevent more violence. They had at least one casualty with the owner of the hardware store and were trying to prevent more.
"Looks like Frankie and Joe bailed, which is good, because this place was ransacked," Neal said, as they walked through the diner.
"Yeah...the till is empty," Tink replied.
"You don't think they'd be dumb enough to try and break into the pawn shop, do you?" she asked. He shook his head.
"There's no magic...so yeah, they'd be that dumb," he said, as they ventured out and down the block. Unfortunately, when they got there, the pawn shop window was completely broken and valuables had been pilfered.
"Your father is going to fry every last one of them if magic comes back," she winced.
"Yeah...and this is one time I won't protest his darker methods," he said, as he sheathed his blade and looked inside. But they wouldn't have time to assess what was missing, as Nova and Grumpy came running toward them.
"Terrible news!" Grumpy called. Tink rolled her eyes.
"Clearly...it's pandemonium everywhere," she said.
"Yeah well...it's major pandemonium at the convent!" he cried.
"It's on fire," Nova said gravely, which caused them to start running for the church.
"Who attacks a freaking church!?" Neal cried. They could see many of the fairies already outside, as the church was in full burn.
"The worst scum in existence," Tink answered, as they arrived.
"Is everyone out?" she asked one of her crying charges.
"No...Silver and Peri are still inside," Fauna cried and both ran inside. They were immediately coughing from all the smoke.
"Girls!?" Tink cried, as she hurried to find any of her charges that might be trapped.
"Over here!" they heard a faint call and found them behind a few falling beams.
"Silver sprained her ankle!" Peri cried.
"Okay…I got her. Let's go," Neal said, as he lifted the fairy into his arms, while Tink helped Peri and they hurried out and just in time, as the roof collapsed in on the church. It was a total loss and they watched their home burn in horror. Their hands all suddenly started to glow, as it appeared magic was back. The damage to their home was done, but now they had a chance to turn things around.
"Pleasure Island is probably where this is all going down," Neal said. Tink nodded and took his hand, as they disappeared in a spray of green sparks.
Leo and Elsa led their people back to the main atrium of the castle to confront Runeard, but found the Throne room empty.
"Why would he just leave?" Leo wondered.
"Unless he's working with Rourke," Anna suggested.
"Or for him...remember Rourke has that thing that murders our eardrums," Kristoff reminded them.
"If he's under Rourke's control, he can't be happy about that," Leo mentioned.
"Pleasure Island might be where he is then," Elsa said. He nodded.
"That's where my parents will go to confront Rourke if they're free," Leo replied. She nodded.
"We'll hold down the fort here," Kristoff said. They nodded as the two sisters hugged, before Leo and Elsa disappeared in a puff of blue smoke.
"Reinforcements should be arriving soon from other Kingdoms now that magic is back. You two need to go," Paul said.
"Are you sure?" Eva asked. He nodded.
"We've hit a lull and with any hope, we won't have any more serious casualties. Whale, JJ, and I should be able to handle whatever we need to," he assured her, as they shared a tender kiss.
"It's going to take your whole family to defeat Rourke," he added. She nodded.
"Be careful," Eva said, as Summer and JJ hugged as well, before sharing a kiss.
"You too...you're going right into the heart of the danger. As usual," he mentioned. She smiled and kissed him again.
"Mom and Dad beat Clayton...twice. They're not going to let some two-bit wannabe win now," Eva said. He smiled and nodded.
"I have no doubt," he said, as he watched his wife take her younger sister's hand, as they disappeared in puffs of pink and purple smoke.
"Do you think we're going to pull this one off?" JJ asked. Paul smiled.
"I've watched this family overcome insurmountable odds. If I were a betting man, I'd go to the Casino right now and put it all on the Charmings. Rourke is going to lose," the doctor said. JJ nodded, still worried, but tended to believe.
"If you two are done waxing poetic...I could use some help on rounds," Whale called. Paul rolled his eyes.
"Is he always this much of an asshole?" JJ asked.
"Always...he's pretty mild today. Wait until he's drunk at 3 in the morning," Paul replied.
"Hey...getting drunk during the witching hour in this town is the best, don't knock it," Whale quipped, as they went to assist him.
Emma's hands glowed, as she made quick work of the zombie souls blocking their way to the Casino. When they had arrived on Pleasure Island, they had found it in a state of complete mayhem. It was crawling with released criminals and the undead souls of the departed that had never been led to their final resting place, thanks to Rourke. They had been denied travel to the Underworld and confined to a watery afterlife, until Davy Jones raised their souls and set them upon the living to wreak havoc at Rourke's command. Emma hoped that blasting them with her magic was just banishing them back to the sea and not destroying their souls, but she couldn't allow them to keep doing damage, regardless. Robin was positioned on top of a building, doing his part to pick off long range targets, while Regina worked beside her.
"Your parents better get here soon," she muttered.
"They will...I'm a little worried we haven't found my Uncle and Aphrodite yet though," Emma said.
"He's done something to them...I can feel it," Xander said gravely, as he fought with his sword, while Killian flanked Emma, fighting with his cutlass. A portal opened before them in front of the Midas casino and deposited Rourke there with his father, Davy Jones.
"Ah crap...he's got it," Emma said. Rourke smirked.
"But that doesn't make sense. Magic is back...I thought that would mean Snow and David had control again," Regina said. Her question was answered, as they appeared with Bobby, along with Rumple and Belle as well.
"That was a side effect he wasn't counting on," Snow said.
"The heart of the ocean absorbs magic, but the fish hook is an emitter. He may have it, but we have magic back as a result," David added.
"Bet you didn't count on that," Emma quipped. Rourke only smirked again.
"It is of no consequence...I still have all the power I need to destroy you all," he said, as Runeard appeared next to him, along with Avery and Phoebus.
"If these are your Generals, then you're screwed, fathead," Bobby quipped. Rourke responded by using his frequency emitting device and a high pitched squeal nearly brought them all to their knees, while he and his three cohorts remained unaffected.
"Sure about that, young one?" Runeard said, as he grabbed the boy around the neck and his skin began to turn gray. The old, former King smirked deviously.
"Bobby!" Snow cried, as she tried to crawl to him.
"Without you...the rest of your family will most assuredly fail," he said.
"Focus...young one…" Rumple's voice echoed in his head. He could hear the strain in Mr. Gold's voice and knew it was taking everything he had to communicate with him. Bobby focused his power and soaked it up from the Earth beneath him. The ground opened up beneath Runeard and swallowed him up, trapping him from the waist down. Bobby managed to get to his feet and took a few steps toward Rourke.
"Impossible…" he uttered, as the boy's eyes glowed peridot in color. The fish hook in Rourke's hand glowed in response to its proximity to the teen and Rourke cried out, as the device melted in his hand, burning him and he dropped it to the ground. The noise ceased and freed them all from the pain.
"You like to use technology so much...let's try it on you," Belle said, as she shot him and sent him flying back into a building. He crumpled to the ground, dazed and stunned, as Rumple fired up his.
"She set hers to stun...mine is on kill," he said, as he leveled the barrel at his head. The hook in his hand glowed and he disappeared from the ground, before reappearing before them again.
"Surrender...you can't win this one," David said.
"Perhaps I can...because I have been holding a bargaining chip back," Rourke replied, as he produced a snow globe and they looked at the tiny people inside.
"James…" Xander uttered.
"Damn you…" David growled. He smirked again.
"I've got your attention now. You'll surrender to me or I'll disintegrate this snow globe," he said, as the fish hook glowed and threatened to carry out his will.
Suddenly, Leo and Elsa appeared and Rourke was forced to dodge their ice and lightning powers.
"Be careful...or they die," Rourke warned, but he was then hit with a gust of pink wind. The snow globe went flying out of his hand, but was encased in a bubble, as Summer floated it toward her. She popped the bubble and Regina waved her hand, releasing them. James and Aphrodite appeared and the blonde hugged Snow in relief, as James and David embraced as well.
"He has the hook I see," James said.
"Yeah...but magic is also back because of it, which he didn't count on," David replied.
"I'm nothing, if not flexible. Plus...with the fish hook and heart of the ocean, that makes me more powerful than even Poseidon or any God…" Rourke said.
"Tell me that can't be true," James whispered to his wife.
"I...I wish I could," she replied.
"He controls the ocean...which means he controls the tide and with the hook, he controls the elements, including the sun and the moon," she added gravely.
"Can we stop him?" Snow asked.
"With the Chalice alone...no. But the elements chose your children for a reason and now would be the time to unleash their full potential," Aphrodite replied, as they saw a shadow fall over them. The sky burned black, as the heart glowed and caused a solar eclipse in an instant. The seas all around the United Realms began to churn violently and the winds gusted powerfully. A loud explosion sounded and they saw a volcano erupting on one of the nearby islands that made up Neverland.
"Shit…" Emma cried.
"We've got more problems," Leo said, as he pointed to the massive hurricane forming in the ocean. Angry lightning lit up the sky and the winds formed a tornado and with the way the wind was, it would only be the first of many.
"He's gonna rip every realm to shreds if we don't get that damn fish hook from him," Leo said.
"You guys take on your elements. I'll take him on with Mom and Dad," Bobby said, as a sword appeared in his hand.
"Think you can take me on, young one?" Rourke asked.
"I know I can," Bobby replied, as he charged him. Rourke fired a blast at him, but the youth disappeared beneath the ground and burrowed beneath him, as he fired blasts of power at the ground, blowing holes in it. But Bobby evaded him and his hand emerged, as he dragged Rourke under with him. They burst forth from the ground then and Bobby stood tall, as Rourke slid face down in the dirt. The man stood up and growled.
"You're going to pay for that one, kid," he assured him.
"We'll see…" he said.
"You know, getting control of the weather won't be easy without that fish hook. We can slow it down...but that's about it," Emma said.
"I know...I'm gonna get it. Go slow down the destruction until I do," he replied.
"Okay kid...be careful," Leo said, as he and Elsa got on Pegasus to try and slow down the hurricane and lightning. Summer put herself and Regina in a bubble and they floated off to help with the flooding that was occurring everywhere. Emma took Killian's hand and they disappeared to deal with the volcano. Eva used her wind powers to carry her into the air to try and combat the tornados.
Snow, David, Rumble, Belle, Xander, James, Aphrodite and Robin stood there to fight as backup with Bobby, so it wasn't a surprise when Phoebus and Avery attacked them with a hoard of zombies.
"Time to see if shooting zombies with Gideon all these years is going to pay off," Belle said, as her blaster whined when she flipped it on.
"Turn it up to kill," Rumple advised and she did so, as they started firing. Xander jumped into the fray with his sword, while David and James followed. Snow and Robin took long range positions and explosions ensued, as Snow's errors blew up her targets on contact.
"How did you know?" Amora asked curiously.
"Your vacant eyes. I was born a monster...I know one when I see one," Hyde replied simply.
"Impressive," she said.
"This will not go your way, witch...release her now," Hyde warned.
"If Fandral doesn't scare me...then you certainly don't either, Mr. Hyde," Amora hissed back, as she kept Rose in her headlock and the dagger hovered near her throat.
"Then you are a fool...if you harm my Rose, I will rip you to shreds and then he'll finish off what's left," Fandral warned.
"Of course he will...he's still in love with her," Amora goaded.
"We're very similar, Mr. Hyde. I want Fandral and you want Rose. We would make wonderful allies and both get what we want," she said, with a smirk.
"Rose is my dear friend...she loves her husband and I only want her happiness. Do not think you have ground to gain with me," Hyde shot back. She smirked.
"So noble...you've gone very soft, Mr. Hyde," she leered, enjoying needling him.
"If you bring that knife any closer to her skin...you'll find out how not soft I have become," he said in a low, dangerous tone.
"You are surrounded, Enchantress and you will let her go now," Sif said, as she crept up behind her. Amora whipped around and her blade pressed against Rose's skin, causing her to cry out.
"Rose…" Fandral uttered, as he feared for her.
"One more move...and I will do it. I will gladly slit her throat," Amora threatened.
"No...you won't," Rose said, as she swallowed thickly.
"Excuse me? You really think I will spare you? I hate you...you've taken the one thing I want," she hissed.
"The one thing I have and you cannot have...he'll never want you, but he will destroy you if you hurt me and you know it," Rose countered.
"Do not play mind games with me, Rose Red...because if I cannot have him, then neither will you," Amora threatened.
"Then I will go with you," Fandral said, as she perked up at that.
"You'd do that?" Amora asked.
"I'd do anything for my Rose...and if her living means I sacrifice myself, then yes, I'll do it," he replied. Amora thought about it for a moment.
"And you'll put a knife in my back the moment I turn away, but nice try, handsome. I think instead...we'll see if you're as good at finding her as your counterpart is in finding his Snow White," Amora said, as she disappeared with Rose in tow.
"Damn her…" Fandral cursed, as he started pacing.
"Please tell me you can track that witch!" he cried.
"No...but I can track Rose," Hyde replied, as he plucked a dark hair from his shoulder.
"This is probably hers and I can track her if we return to Bald Mountain," Hyde said, as the palace shuddered a bit.
"Sif, Diego...we need to move the children to Bald Mountain," Fandral said, as they rushed to get the babies and little ones, along with Carina.
"Daddy...what's going on?" she asked.
"I'm afraid the Enchantress is back and she's taken your mother and Rourke must have succeeded. We need to take you and the young ones to Bald Mountain," he said, as Hyde used his device to create a portal and they stepped through it.
"What's happening?" Hyde asked.
"Rourke got the fish hook, but my family is fighting back," Natalie replied, as she cradled her son.
"Magic has returned as a result," Hiram added.
"Dammit…" Fandral cursed.
"Where's Rose?" Natalie asked.
"The Enchantress has her…" Fandral said gravely.
"And I will track her down. For now, you and Diego go help the others. I will come find you when I have her location," Hyde told him. Reluctantly, Fandral nodded and kissed his children, before he and Zorro left for Pleasure Island through a portal.
Emma stalled the flow of lava from the volcano with her white fire, but she feared that the island was a total loss. Fortunately, most of Neverland was uninhabited these days, with the exception of the ones where the Immortal Tribes lived. Tigerlily appeared next to her.
"How are things on your island?" she asked.
"It's sinking, Emma…" she revealed.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm afraid so...unless we can stop this. Our home is gone. I've evacuated everyone to the mainland...but this has been our home for centuries," she said sadly.
"We'll fix this...I promise," she assured, as she saw her brother and Elsa fly across the sky in an attempt to tame the skies, but they were only slowing it down, much like her. She only hoped her parents and baby brother could succeed, because if they couldn't, the United Realms was going to be ripped apart by one storm after another.
Eva faced off against a massive tornado, as it threatened to destroy Storybrooke and the hospital was directly in its path. There was another currently trying to wipe Oz off the map, but fortunately, Alice and Zelena seemed to be keeping that one at bay. Eva struggled against the massive one trying to engulf the town and she was determined not to let it hit the hospital. She blasted it with her pink wind powers and it momentarily receded back into the clouds. But she didn't let her guard down, for the clouds continued to churn angrily and she knew this was only halftime.
Summer and Regina pushed the tidal wave back as much as they could, as they threatened to engulf the Maritime Kingdom. Together, they manage to quell the tidal wave, but the seas continued to churn angrily.
"None of this makes any difference if they don't get that fish hook back," Regina said.
"They will…we just have to have faith," Summer replied. Regina smiled at her. There was a time when she would have scoffed at the notion of faith and hope. But she had a wealth of it now, largely in thanks to her family. But Summer also had a lot to do with that. She and Snow had been on cordial terms when the twins were little, but had not become friends until they were growing up. By the time Summer came along, they were close and Regina had been in the room with her and David when Summer was born. She had been third to hold her and fell in love instantly with her as an infant. She loved all her grandchildren, but Summer and Bobby were the ones that actually called her Nana and that she had truly taken that role with.
"I do...I have faith in this family, especially you and Bobby," she said, as she hugged her gently, before they went back to quelling the waters.
They were tiring against the onslaught of undead soldiers and had yet to make a dent in order to get closer to Rourke, who was using the fish hook to wreak havoc. Suddenly, to their surprise, hundreds of the zombified minions dropped, as a sword cut them down in a sidewinder fashion. Fandral caught the sword and hurried to meet them. Snow jumped down from her perch and ran to her husband.
"Thanks...we needed that," David said.
"Where's Rose?" Snow asked.
"It's Amora...she was posing as Bianca this whole time. She took Rose," Fandral replied.
"You should be looking for her...we can handle this," David said.
"I know...we just don't know where she is yet. Hyde is trying to find a way to track her and then I will find her," Fandral replied.
"Until then...I felt the need to pulverize something," he added.
"Well...we welcome the extra help, but none of this matters if we don't get to Rourke," David said.
"Do you have a plan?" Snow asked. He smirked.
"Of sorts, but you're not going to like it," he replied.
"Which means it's half baked and insane," James quipped.
"I'm sure I won't, but I know you...and I can see you have an idea," Snow said.
"Rourke is a lot like Clayton or he wants to be. Clayton had an ego the size of Jupiter, but he actually had the Collection, the connections, and the family history to back it up. Rourke has none of that...but wants it," David explained. Fandral smirked.
"A good play...he's insecure about his place in all this," Fandral said.
"A nameless, faceless henchman…" Xander agreed.
"What are you going to do, Dad?" Bobby asked.
"I'm going to fight him and then you're going to get that fish hook," David replied, as he used the Chalice sword to cut his way through the minions to Rourke, with Snow's hand in his own.
"Enough with the brainless footmen...I think you and I should fight and end this once and for all," David challenged. Rourke smirked.
"I am not a stupid man, Your Highness. I know in a sword fight, even with help, that I don't stand a chance. Not even Clayton would have challenged you to battle in that manner, despite his many years on you and Jekyll is dead, because he was stupid enough to do so," he replied. David smirked and handed his sword to Snow by the hilt.
"Then how about hand to hand combat? That's your strength, right? You prefer fists over swords," David surmised. Rourke smirked.
"I can snap a bone or two when needed," he said.
"Don't be modest...this is your chance to really make your mark on history. No magic. No weapons...just a good, old fashioned fight," David said.
"Again, I'm not a moron, Your Highness. You'll never get me to put this weapon down," he said referring to the fish hook.
"You don't have to. Will it to remain dormant during the fight," David said.
"Then we'll see where I really stand without a sword," he added, as he started rolling up his sleeves.
"You're right...I hate this," Snow said and Rourke smirked.
"In that case...I hope you're ready for the beating of your life, Prince Charming and I apologize in advance, Queen Snow, for the mess I'm about to make of your husband," he said. She glared at him and then looked at David, who kissed her tenderly.
"Since you're both honorable, I can trust her not to help you, yes?" Rourke asked.
"Of course...she won't need to," David replied. Rourke snickered.
"Oh...you will be regretting those words, Your Highness," he said, as he charged with a punch, landing a good shot at David's jaw, but the Prince countered with his own and then another, which Rourke blocked. They shuffled along trading blows and evading kicks.
"Not bad...usually Knights are lost without their weapons, but I'm a Master at this," Rourke warned, as he landed a kick in David's gut and sent him skidding into the dirt. David started to get to his feet, but Rourke grabbed him by the hair and Snow cried out, as he kicked her husband in the ribs.
"I warned you...I know you can snap a neck when you need to, but I've been doing it since you were toddling around in your mother's garden," Rourke said.
"I could never understand Clayton's fascination with you and insistence that you were important. He always had me ready to step in when your farm was in danger. He was adamant that you not be enslaved by Bo Peep...I guess I know why now. He wanted to enslave you himself, after he made sure you met the lovely Snow White," Rourke rattled on, as he put David in a headlock.
"Stop it!" Snow cried.
"Sorry, my Queen...but your husband was foolish to challenge me. He'll now pay the price," Rourke said.
"Except I won't…" David choked out through the headlock. Rourke smirked smugly.
"One twist and your neck snaps…" he warned.
"Except I let you beat me," David replied, as he escaped the headlock and swept Rourke's feet out from under him. The dazed man hit the dirt and David punched him. Bobby burrowed up next to him and grabbed the fish hook from around his neck.
"Noooo!" he cried, as he reached for it, but the teen had it and stood proudly next to his father.
"Clayton was formidable at least...you're still just a nameless, faceless mercenary with mommy issues that no one's going to remember," Bobby said, as he willed the fish hook into his power and it glowed more brightly than ever, recognizing him. They all watched in amazement, as it changed into a weapon and a sword appeared in his hand. The fish hook was still visible and formed the hilt of the sword now. His eyes glowed peridot and all around the realms, his siblings gasped, as their eyes glowed their respective colors as well. Avery and Phoebus tried to get away, but Xander pulled his gun on Phoebus.
"Stop…" he warned. The former Captain surrendered and was cuffed, while Avery attempted to escape, but Fandral caught him and overpowered him.
"Hyde made these cuffs...not even you can break them," he warned.
Runeard tried to slip away, but Leo and Elsa were there waiting for him. Elsa froze him in place and he struggled to escape. With the fish hook in the right hands, the storms receded at their command and they all arrived on Pleasure Island. The five of them surrounded Runeard, while Snow and David confronted Rourke.
Rourke scrambled for the box his father's heart was in and he opened it. The heart of the ocean glowed, as he tried to recreate the storm and he looked at Davy Jones.
"Call your ship...get us out of here!" he ordered.
"No...you'll have to kill me to do so and you know what that means," Davy Jones said.
"Do it...kill me and free me from this burden so I may join my family in the afterlife," he continued.
"When you become Davy Jones, you will have the power of the ocean, but if you violate the duties as you forced me to do, you'll become cursed as well," he added. Rourke smirked.
"But I will control the seas...and I will have power that rivals the Chalice," he said, as a greedy glint filled his eyes.
"This is bad...we can't let him stab that heart," Xander said. With that understanding, David and James rushed him, as he raised his dagger to stab the heart. James toppled him to the ground and David held his blade to his throat. The heart of the ocean flared with power and blew them back, but Bobby was ready for him, as he charged with the weapon that now belonged to him. Emma, Leo, Eva, and Summer flanked him and for the first time, they saw real fear in his eyes.
Rose looked around, as she awoke. She had passed out, thanks to Amora's magic, and now observed her surroundings, which were foreign.
"Where are we?" she asked.
Amora glared at the raven haired beauty that held Fandral's heart and soul in her small, manicured hands. Rose pulled at the shackles she was attached to that kept her confined to the wall. She recalled a time when she was with Fandral and a peculiar instance that now made frightening sense.
Flashback
There was boisterous laughter, as Thor, Sif, the Warriors Three, and Amora celebrated another victorious quest. Originally, she had planned to be with Fandral to teach him a lesson about his womanizing ways. But instead, she had fallen for him and he for her, so she had aborted her plan and kept her mischievous and evil ways a secret from him. Over time, she was slowly hoping he would leave the heroic Warriors Three and join her on a conquest of the Galaxy once she got him to realize his true potential as a ruler. In her opinion, Thor might have been the Prince of Asgard, but Fandral had the makings of a real leader, unlike the foolhardy God of Thunder.
There were entertainers and performers all around and one of the old witches that often entertained in the villages was there, reading her tarot cards. Thor and the others were humoring her, as she used her pretend tricks. Amora almost sneered at the woman, for she was a real Enchantress, but she held back so as to not expose her true identity.
"Ah yes, my dear Prince...your future is filled with great battles!" she announced.
"Of course it is!" Thor boasted.
"It's not much of a leap, considering how much you go looking for a fight," Sif muttered.
"And you, my dear…" she started to say, but Sif held her hand up.
"Move along, witch...you don't need to read me. My future will be of my own making," Sif refuted. The witch wisely moved on and set her sights on Fandral.
"And you...Fandral the Dashing, as they call you," she said, as he enjoyed his drink, only half paying attention and she turned over her card.
"Oh my...you are not long for this world, young warrior," she said.
"He's made it this far on pure luck and good looks. We all know that when luck runs out, only that pretty face will save him," Hogan joked.
"No, no...he is not long for this world, but meant for another entirely," she objected. Fandral scoffed.
"Now why would I ever leave Asgard?" he asked dismissively.
"Someday you will...this world is not your home," she continued.
"Utter nonsense," he refuted.
"You don't believe me now...but someday, you'll know it to be true, for out there in another world, you'll find a love like none other; the kind that rarely comes along, but once in a millennia," she said. He scoffed.
"I am afraid you are mistaken, witch...I have found love already," he replied, as he put his arm around Amora. The witch only smirked knowingly at Amora, which made the Enchantress squirm, as she moved on without another word.
Her glare remained fixated on Rose, as she realized the old witch had been right in her prophecy.
"To answer your question, we're in a little chateau that I magicked into existence in the Andresian mountains. It's nearly identical to the one we frequented when we were together. Coincidentally, that was in the mountains of Asgard," she mentioned.
"Recreating your life with Fandral isn't going to get him to want you again," Rose warned.
"Of course not...I've finally realized that he will never want me again, whether you're alive or dead," Amora replied.
"So...you're going to kill me to punish him?" Rose asked.
"No...if I had decided to kill you, I would have done it right in front of him to break him. He would have been mine then...if only in body. But I decided I don't want him if he's a prisoner I have to lock away," Amora replied.
"Then if you know that...why kidnap me?" Rose asked. She smirked.
"Because I needed time to transfer my essence from this body...to yours," she replied. Rose frowned and she started to struggle again. Amora cackled.
"He'll know...he'll know that I'm not myself," she protested.
"Actually...he won't, because at first, you'll be the dominant personality. I'm a very patient woman and I can bide my time just fine inside the Queen of Andresia," she said.
"You'll still be you for now...and I'll be with him. Over time...I'll become you, with subtle changes and he'll be none the wiser," she said.
"You're wrong…" Rose refuted. She smirked.
"Oh no...you know I'm right, but you shouldn't fear. He'll be in very good hands," she said smugly, as she struggled with the shackles.
"Taking over someone and becoming the dominant personality like I did with Bianca is quick and easy. But for this to work, it requires some more delicate magic," Amora said, as she pulled a sheet off the cauldron in the room and began the process.
Hyde dropped Rose's hair in a concoction and the beaker boiled the chemicals. Normally, they would just use a locator spell, but since all the magic users were currently busy, he was making his own using science.
"Will this find her, Uncle?" Olivia asked.
"It should, young one," he said, as he poured the liquid into the synthesizer and readings popped up on his screen. He smirked.
"Yes...it has pinpointed her biorhythms," he said.
"Where is that?" Natalie asked.
"The Andresian mountains," he said, as he grabbed his teleportation device.
"Be careful!" Olivia called, as he left to find Fandral.
Snow watched her children surround Rourke and prepare to finish him off and looked to Davy Jones, as he looked on sadly as well.
"I'm sorry it has to be this way...I know he's your son," She said.
"No apology needed, Your Majesty. He never wanted to be my son...and he is too dangerous. He is unbalanced and the universe demands balance. It is why Gaia split her heart into the three pieces," Davy Jones replied. Snow felt David slip his arms around her from behind and kiss her hair.
"But you're sad for another reason, aren't you?" he asked. He nodded.
"If I thought he could take my place and do the job, I'd let him relieve me of my duties," he said.
"So you can join your family," Snow realized. He nodded.
"Yes...but this is my burden to bear and it is not one I wish on any other," he said.
"What if there was someone who wanted the burden?" a voice asked and they turned to see that it was Phoebus, who they had already detained.
"You?" David asked skeptically.
"Please...I know you have no reason to trust me. But all I have ever wanted is an important place in history. To be a Captain again...in any way is all I want," he replied.
"You joined a tyrant and tried to kill us all!" David refuted.
"He was misguided...but perhaps he is a worthy choice," Davy interjected, as he stepped forward.
"Do you understand what this responsibility requires of you and the curse it carries if you do not perform your duties properly." Davy Jones asked. Phoebus nodded.
"I understand and know this is my purpose," he said, as Snow and David stood by in surprise.
"I truly am sorry for everything I did...and you were right to not hire me. Seeing everything be brought to the brink made me realize that there is no shortcut to becoming a legend," he confessed.
"Then you must stab my heart...and take my place. Free me of this burden," Davy Jones said, as the fury of the magical light show before them was almost blinding.
Runeard attempted to get away, but the five of them and their light burned his eyes. The void inside him screeched in pain, as the five of them unleashed their power and it slammed into him. His physical body turned to ash and the essence of the void turned to ash as well...except one tiny molecule of essence, which escaped into the air.
"That takes care of the Void," Bobby said, as he looked at the weapon in his hand.
"That sword is bad ass," Leo said, as he admired it.
"Yeah...now let's use it on Rourke and go home," Emma said, as they joined their parents, who had Rourke cornered.
"Give up the box...and you live," David warned, as he leveled the Chalice sword at him.
"Go to hell," Rourke hissed. Snow and David smirked.
"Been there…" Snow quipped.
"Yeah, and we killed Hades, replaced him with Nyx and believe me, while she's fair, you're certainly going straight into one of the rivers," David added.
"Surrender...and you just go to prison," Xander said.
"Or maybe I choose hell and I'll take some of you with me!" he growled, as he charged and Bobby swiped his blade through him. Rourke looked at him in shock and for a moment, it almost looked like he had missed. But slowly, Rourke turned to ash, thanks to coming in contact with the weapon and ebbed away to nothing. Bobby picked up the box and handed it to Davy Jones.
"Are you sure about this?" Xander asked. He nodded.
"Phoebus will serve this post well, I feel. It is time he makes his own way instead of trying to steal the glory of others. He will be humbled by this duty," Davy Jones assured them, as he opened the box and nodded to the other man. With a deep breath, Phoebus used a dagger to stab the heart and Davy Jones welcomed death, as he turned to ash. Rumple reached into Phoebus' chest and extracted his heart. It was placed in the box and he disappeared, before reappearing on the deck of the Flying Dutchman, with the box and heart of the ocean in his possession.
"I won't let you down this time," he promised, as he sailed off to begin his new purpose. Snow breathed a sigh of relief and David put his arms around her, as Hyde appeared through a portal.
"I've located Rose…" he said. Fandral sheathed his sword and followed him. Snow and David exchanged a glance.
"We're coming with you," Snow called, as they disappeared. Their battle was over and everything had been set right. Now, they would help Fandral set things right for himself and Rose as well.
Smoke billowed from the cauldron, as Amora performed her dark witchcraft that would soon transfer her essence into Rose Red. This spell was more subtle and therefore required more precision, as she was seeking to remain dormant in Rose for a time and slowly overtake her in a way that it would not be noticeable. She had only done this one other time and that had been centuries ago to acquire the body she had when she was with Fandral the first time. The woman had originally been someone very important and had worked perfectly, until she grew bored with that life and moved on and found her way to Asgard.
But this time, not only would it work again, she would never tire of being with Fandral and would never leave his side. It was perfect. He adored his beloved Rose and she would soon feel his love once again...even if it had to be through Rose.
"We're almost ready," she said, smirking victoriously at her captive.
"Please...don't do this…" Rose pleaded.
"Oh now Rose...there is no need for tears. This will be good for both of us. He'll be ours together...and you won't even know I'm there," she said, as she gently caressed the other woman's face.
"I have to say...he does have incredible taste. You are as beautiful and fair as they come. I think I'll enjoy being you...he probably can't keep his hands off you," she leered. Oh, the thought of being with him again thrilled her. She could almost taste his kiss and the memory of being in bed with him was still etched in her memory.
"You can't blame me...you know what it's like being with him. You know what kind of lover he is," she added, as a tear slipped down Rose's cheek.
"Now...the time has come," she said, as she put what she needed of the potion in a vial.
"Don't make this difficult and drink this," she said.
"Never," Rose refuted and then cried out, as Amora yanked head back by the hair and prepared to pour it down her throat.
"Fine...the hard way it is then," she hissed, as the vial suddenly exploded, startling them both, as Hyde destroyed the vial with his blaster.
"Damn you…" Amora hissed.
"Take your hands off my wife, you psychotic witch…" Fandral growled. She smirked.
"I was only moments away from being your wife, my love," she purred. His eyes narrowed.
"She wants to take over me, Fandral!" Rose warned fearfully.
"That is not going to happen," he growled.
"Oh, but it will...I have plenty of potion to go around," she said, as Hyde extracted a vial from his jacket pocket and poured it in the cauldron.
"What are you doing!?" Amora cried.
"Killing your concoction," Hyde answered simply. She angrily blasted him with her magic and sent him flying across the room.
"Hyde!" Rose cried in fear and then saw her glaring murderously at them.
"Fine...you won't accept me. Then I'll kill you both!" she cried maniacally, but her blast was absorbed by a blinding white blast that engulfed her. Her eyes widened and she screeched, as her essence was forced out of the body she was possessing by the pure light. Snow and David stood there and when the smoke cleared, they all observed Amora's disembodied essence floating eretherally before them.
"What...what have you done to me!?" she cried, as her voice sounded like an echo under water.
"We cleansed you from Bianca's body. She'll live and you can no longer possess anyone," Snow replied simply. The Enchantress looked at them in horror.
"A little perk of being the truest love...we can exorcise demons when we need to, because there is nothing purer than true love," David said, as they shared a loving gaze.
"This...this can't be happening!?" she screamed, as the Chalice glowed between them again. She screeched away from it pain and disappeared, as David helped Hyde to his feet and they helped Bianca as well, as she looked around in confusion.
"Think she'll come back?" Hyde asked.
"Maybe...but she can't do any body snatching anymore. She's all but a ghost now," David said, as Fandral ran to Rose and swiped his blade through her chains, while cradling her in the other arm.
"Oh my love…" she cried, as he hugged her tightly.
"She's gone, my angel," he said, as their lips met in a passionate kiss. Snow and David shared a smile. As always, good had once again won the day.
"This can't be happening!" Amora cried, as she found herself unable to touch the physical world and could only wander as a vapor. This new existence was maddening and worse than being dead.
"You did this to me, Rose Red!" she hissed, as she felt something peculiar prick her senses and she saw a glowing speck floating around her. Curiously, she reached out and touched it. The speck shocked her like lightning and she fell into the ocean. Her eyes bled yellow when they opened and she emerged from the water, finding that had essence once again. But as she looked at her gray skin, she knew something was different and whatever she had merged with was not a Terran entity.
"What am I?" she wondered, as she emerged from the sea and saw a fish flopping on the beach, having washed up there, thanks to her disturbance. She felt the urge to reach down and touch it and gasped when she did, as she watched it wither and die from the grace of her fingertips. She smirked deviously, before her new essence disappeared into the wind.
"We're not done...Fandral, my love," she uttered in a whisper like the element she was.