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: 235-248
Season 10: 249-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: There will be more details on what exactly Amora became in this chapter. Glad you're enjoying! Ha, not sure how...but hope I can keep doing it, lol. Thanks!
Jennifer Baratta: Glad you enjoyed it! Yep, Amora is now the Void. Yep, Goldie will be facing her crimes. Glad you enjoyed it!
Grace5231973: You're welcome, glad you enjoyed that scene. I liked seeing everyone working together too. Glad you like that Phoebus became Davy Jones and is getting a chance to be better. Yep, the Void escaped Runeard and found someone else to possess. Glad you're enjoying!
Guest: No. Even if I wanted to write more Anakin/Padme, I couldn't, because I don't have any inspiration for it anymore. I can't write anymore Star Wars stuff and don't want to anymore, even if I did have time for more stories, which I don't. Acting like you actually read this story and then asking that is pretty insulting though. If you really respected me as a writer, you wouldn't keep doing that. But you don't. I'm just here to do what you want, right? Go pound sand.
Number Ten: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and think this is one of the best final battles. Clayton and Jekyll's final demises are among my favorites too. I love that Bobby has his own special weapon now too. I have to admit, I almost let Amora succeed and merge with Rose. But in the end, decided to have her become the Void instead. Runeard was getting stale as a villain, but the concept of the Void is interesting so I figured it was fitting for Amora. Yep, a little quiet time before the next conflict. Glad you enjoyed it!
erica phoenix16: Glad you like it!
Zariah: Yep, that was an epic fight. Runeard's demise would be underwhelming if the Void died too. But it didn't and you'll find out more about that in this chapter. Runeard was just a vessel and when the Void saw that he would not survive Bobby's magic, it fled him in search of another host. One with actual power. Yeah, Rourke's defeat was well deserved. Yes, there are three big bads left and the last chapter happened that way so we condescended to the final three threats. Amora, Mendoza, and the really big one. Mephisto. I'm glad Rose is safe too, though as I admitted to another reviewer, I toyed with the idea of letting Amora succeed and then writing Rose in the ultimate struggle. But I decided to pair Amora with the Void instead. That will still make for some epic confrontations. I was on the fence about giving the task of Davy Jones to Phoebus too. But as Davy Jones explained, it might actually humble him. And if it doesn't, one step out of line, and he succumbs to the curse. Then Snow and David would have every reason to select someone new that might be better suited. I originally toyed with the idea of them being so desperate to stop Rourke from stabbing the heart that one of their family members made the sacrifice. I toyed with the idea of Killian, JJ, Xander, and even Bobby doing it. Ultimately, I handed it off to Phoebus though. Whether he will be redeemed or not remains to be seen. I never say never, because I tend to change my mind. I changed my mind like a hundred times in the last chapter. Sometimes I don't even know how chapters are going to turn out in the end. Glad you enjoyed it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, it was quite a chapter. There was almost a part 4, but I just made this one a little longer to wrap it up in 3 parts. Yep, they were lucky to get out of the diner when they did. The convent is a complete loss though. Yeah, Runeard isn't cut out to be the Void. Yeah, Grumpy yelling terrible news at this point is a bit redundant. Yep, Charming family showdown. Yep, Paul is right, put everything on the Charmings to win. Yeah, they still need to rescue James and Aphrodite. Yep, Hyde knew by her eyes. He could tell. Yep, there is no tricking Hyde into helping her. Yep, Fandral is pissed and left a trail of zombies in his wake. Yep, half baked and crazy...the Charming way! I know, Bobby is such a smart mouth. Yeah, Amora can't let go. Fandral did love her, but not anymore. Yeah, Phoebus may seem like an odd choice, but Davy Jones thinks it may humble him. We shall see. Yep, Runeard is gone and Bobby has a wicked sword now! And they rescued Rose too! Yep, she couldn't do anything once Snow and David exorcised her, but she found a new form, which isn't good. Glad you enjoyed it!
AnonSnowing: Yep, complete chaos. Glad you like the fairy names. I'm glad they saved them too. Yep, they are going to lose so badly. Ha, yeah, Whale should totally get fired. His bedside manner is crap. Nope, not a good mix at all. Yep, magic is back and now they just need to get that hook away from Rourke. Yeah, Rumple with a gun was really weird. I know, Amora is insane and she has Rose. Yep, Fandral will find her, just like David always finds Snow. Yeah, their magic is very suited to each of them. I'm glad it turned out that way. Yep, David was able to pinpoint his insecurity and exploit it. I couldn't help it considering the actor I chose for Rourke. Had to throw in some hand to hand combat. Yep, they outsmarted him! Yep, Bobby has a new sword! And Rourke and Runeard are gone! The Void is not though. Thankfully, Amora was exercised from Bianca, but unfortunately, enough of the Void survived and merged with Amora. Glad you're enjoying! You're welcome!
The Grey Jedi 2020: It does feel like a season finale and actually, this chapter is sort of a season finale. Season 10 will begin with chapter 249. Thanks! Yeah, looting seems to be the go to in a crisis, especially for criminals. Yes, they are actually. Remember, Blue always called Tink green and Nova pink I believe in the one episode we saw her in. Yeah, a little magic and they will be able to repair everything. Tink channels magic through her wand, but that doesn't mean she can't feel it return in the air. Yeah, Leo and Elsa are awesome together. Yep, zombies against magic users and an archer. Yeah, Emma has a point. You're welcome. I really don't like most zombies shows or movies. Yep, his overconfidence is Rourke's weakness. Yeah, Bobby is a little power house as usual. I'm not sure what Uber Tier is. Yep, Regina has come so far and it's really great. I feel for Fandral too, he's pissed. Yep, an old fashioned fist fight with Prince Charming. Rourke completely walked right into that. He wasn't resisting Rourke's commands, but they were on dry land. His ship was docked in the Harbor. Things were happening very fast here. Glad you like the flashback, but there was really no reason for her tell him anything about any of those beings. For one, Odin knew about Hela and that was about it. I doubt she would know much about Malekith. And literally everyone knows about Thanos. Remember, Fandral refused to take his family to visit Thor until he was certain that Thanos was dead way back in chapter 190 or so. Yep, I decided to redeem Phoebus. He was mostly just full of himself and took a bad turn. Yep, Amora is very creepy and now a disembodied spirit. Yeah, we probably will get a new actress again for Amora. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Finding You Always
Chapter 248: Siege Aftermath
The black mass convulsed and twitched incessantly, as it floated along in the volatile All World River. Without a host, the mass no longer possessed consciousness, but that did not mean it was no longer alive. It was the embodiment of evil, after all. The personification of darkness, which had faced the light and lost. Like the dark mass had chosen a host to infect and twist to use for evil purposes, the light also had its champions. Gaia's gift had allowed this pair of lovers to stand against the primeval entity that was old as she was. Gaia, aware of the darkness inside, spat out the evil long ago to ensure the safety and prosperity of her precious realms and humanity of all types. But the darkness did not wane and grew angry at the rejection. The first pair that banished the darkness called it Chaos. But now, as the darkness was washed away into a netherworld and floated aimlessly, it twitched and convulsed with anger and malice. It craved a host so it could pursue revenge, but no one was there to possess. Its first pawn was cleansed and freed from the darkness, but not by choice and banished by the light. Gaia's first daughter was the perfect pawn and powerful in her own right. The Chaos floated aimlessly for so long until the pawn returned to the darkness in the void of death.
Gothel regaled the tales to the void and welcomed a merge between them once again. Chaos learned of everything that had transpired and how the new champions of light were more powerful than any before. But she was dead and therefore the merger was futile and did not allow escape. Then one day, the darkness discovered another soul that wandered into its void-less nether realm. A banished man that had wandered aimlessly too for many years. But the difference was...this pawn was alive and a viable host. King Runeard's heart was as black as Gothel's and with physical form, he was the perfect host to return to the physical world. Runeard sensed the darkness, because it called to him and he opened himself up as a willing host, stealing the essence from Gothel.
But Runeard was simply a vessel and once the darkness realized how powerful this pair was and that they had children that could channel the elements, ultimately destroying it, the darkness knew it would need another host. So when young Bobby Charming and his siblings turned their power on Runeard, the darkness escaped in a speck of essence and searched for a new host. Runeard had no innate magic, so he always had limits that hindered the darkness. But as luck would have it, the darkness found someone new, neither alive nor dead, with innate magical abilities to infect. It was a stroke of pure luck, for a disembodied person like the Enchantress was perfect for the needs of the darkness. Powerful, not hindered by flesh anymore, and could become anything the darkness needed. The dark essence merged with the Enchantress and a very real and new evil was born. All the powers of the Enchantress, the Void, and the epitome of darkness in one being now. And revenge would be had against the truest loves, the darkness would reign, and it might even let its new host have what she desired most in the end…
"Are you okay?" Sif asked, as she and Hyde helped Bianca to her feet.
"I...I think so. Where am I?" she asked.
"I'm afraid you have been a victim of the Enchantress. She used you to try and stay close to Rose and Fandral," Hyde replied. She gasped and looked horrified.
"Did...did I hurt anyone?" Bianca asked.
"No...we stopped you in time and thanks to Snow and David, they were able to cleanse you with light magic and exercise the Enchantress from you," Sif explained.
"Thank you so much…" she said gratefully. Snow and David smiled.
"We're just glad everyone is okay," Snow said.
"My Lady...I am so sorry," Bianca said. Rose smiled.
"Bianca...none of this is your fault and I'm fine, thanks to all my friends and my handsome warrior," she replied, as she smiled at her husband. Fandral kissed her tenderly and then stood up, lifting her into his arms.
"Do you think Eva would mind looking her over?" he asked. David smiled.
"Not at all and we'll follow you to the hospital. I want Paul or Eva to look at your ankle, just to make sure," he said.
"David...I'm fine," Snow replied.
"I feel fine too," Rose agreed.
"Humor us," David suggested, as they obliged and they opened a portal with the Chalice. They walked through. Sif, Hyde, and Zorro followed, as they assisted Bianca as well.
The portal dropped Henry in Oz and his family rushed to him. He hugged Ella and Lucy and kissed Lucy's head, before kissing Ella on the lips.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked. Ella nodded.
"We're fine...is everyone else okay?" she asked. He nodded.
"Everyone's good. Rourke and Runeard are dead," he replied.
"Then we won again?" Lucy asked. He smiled.
"Yeah...we won again and all the damage will be fixed with magic within a few days," he answered, as he hugged her.
"What about all the escaped prisoners?" Ella asked.
"Well, now that we don't have a zombie problem, all the Knights and officers in every realm will be working around the clock to round up all those that are still out there and they're good. I'm sure all the scum will be back where they belong soon. Goldilocks and Grimm are on their way to lock up already," he explained. Ella nodded, relieved to hear that.
"Come on...let's go home," he said.
Eva examined her mother's ankle and smiled.
"Everything looks fine and whatever magic he used seems to be sticking," she said.
"See…I told you I'm fine, Charming," Snow said.
"Well, I wasn't about to trust that maniac to actually use a permanent spell," David replied. Eva smiled at them.
"I did use my own magic, just to be sure if his spell did wear off, it wouldn't matter," she added. David smiled and kissed Snow's hair.
"Thank you princess," he said, as he hugged her with his free arm and Snow with the other.
"How are you though? I hear it was rough here for a while," he said. She shrugged.
"Okay I guess...I hate that we lost a couple people. But I know that I can't save everyone all the time," she replied. Snow squeezed her hands.
"That's right...and I don't want you blaming yourself for any of this," she said.
"I won't, Mom, I promise," she replied.
"And promise us that you and Paul will let the night shift take over and go home and get some sleep," David added. She smiled and hugged them both.
"I promise, Daddy," she said, as they joined hands and exited the exam room. They met up with many of their family and friends in the lobby.
"Hey sweetie…" Snow said, as she hugged Emma and Hope.
"Where's Killian?" David asked, as he hugged her too and lifted his granddaughter into his arms.
"He's overseeing Phoebus in his first task of chauffeuring all those undead souls to the afterlife. It's quite an undertaking for his first time," Emma replied.
"Do you think we made the right choice?" Snow asked, with a wince. David shrugged.
"Well…Davy Jones seemed to think so and he knew the duties best. He seemed pretty certain that this would humble Phoebus and if he steps out of line, we know that he'll succumb to the curse," David said.
"Dad's right...you have the Chalice and Bobby has the fish hook, so if you had to put him back in line, it could easily be done now," Emma agreed.
"It does seem like we let him off easy...but to be honest, those are responsibilities few would ever want to have," David said. Snow nodded.
"True…I guess he deserves a chance, just like anyone else," she agreed, as she saw Summer and JJ, along with Leo and Elsa nearby.
"Where's Bobby?" she asked.
"Oh, I think he went to visit Flynn down the hall," Emma replied.
"Oh Charming...let's go see how he's doing too. A young man his age has no business being on his own," Snow said. Emma and David shared an amused smile.
"Of course, my darling," he said, as he kissed her hair and they made their way down the hall.
Flynn watched the latest news coverage of the epic battle that had just occurred and heard a knock on his door. He looked over and saw Bobby standing in the doorway so he turned off the television.
"Hey...you're not dead," Flynn mentioned. Bobby smirked.
"Same to you," he replied, as he came in.
"I saw you on the news...it's a lot better now that Goldilocks isn't reporting it. That was some serious power," he mentioned.
"Yeah…" Bobby said, as he extended his hand and his new weapon appeared in his hand.
"Guess it's more than just a fish hook," he said.
"Whoa...that is a badass sword," Flynn complimented, as there was an awkward pause between them.
"So...why did you come by?" Flynn asked. Bobby smiled.
"You're my friend...and you almost died. Thought I'd come and see you," he replied. Flynn sighed.
"Look...that's really nice, but I'm not good friend material," he mentioned.
"But you could be if you just let people in once in a while," Bobby replied. He sighed.
"I know for you that may seem like a simple thing...but for me, it's not. I haven't met a lot of people like you in my life," he replied. Bobby nodded.
"I get that...but we care about you," he said.
"We?" Flynn asked, as there was another knock and he saw Bobby's parents peeking in.
"Up for some more company?" David asked. Flynn was surprised, but quickly sobered.
"Uh...sure," he answered.
"How are you feeling, Flynn?" Snow asked.
"Um…fine I guess. The doctor said I can be released tonight if I want," he answered.
"Do you have a place to go?" she asked.
"Uh...well, I was staying at the Inn, but I'm good at getting by," he replied.
"No...there's no need for that. You shouldn't be on your own, especially so soon after your injury," she said.
"You should come home with us. There's a spare room right next to Bobby's," Snow said. He was about to argue, but was stunned by her kindness and she didn't give him a chance.
"Is this what they tried to feed you?" she asked in disgust, as she looked at the tray.
"Yeah...it was pretty bad and I've had bad food before," he mentioned.
"Oh this won't do...we'll get take out on the way home. Then tomorrow night, we'll make sure we all have a home cooked meal," she said, as David smiled, watching the bewildered look on Flynn's face.
"Here...let's get you more comfortable and then I'll go get your discharge papers from Eva," Snow said, as she put a couple more pillows behind him and then kissed her husband.
"I'll be right back," she said. Bobby grinned at his friend's bewilderment.
"Congratulations...my Mom has adopted you," he said. David patted him on the shoulder.
"I know this is all new, but you really should come home with us. You don't have to do any of this on your own anymore," David said. Flynn sighed.
"I...I guess we can try it," he conceded.
Fandral shifted impatiently, as they waited on Paul to come back with her test results. Fandral had insisted on the works in tests and Rose obliged mostly to humor him and put him at ease. Her husband was a valiant warrior and could face even the most evil foes without flinching. But when she was in any kind of danger or facing uncertainty, he was a ball of nervous energy
"My love...I'm fine, I promise. You rescued me before she could carry out her horrid plan," Rose soothed. He sighed.
"I know...but you should have never been in such a precarious situation in the first place. I should have seen it," he lamented.
"None of us saw it," she reasoned.
"Hyde did...he saw a danger to you that I didn't," he muttered. She sighed. They had been down this road before and most of the time, Hyde's affection for her didn't bother him; at least not anymore. He was well aware that Hyde was in love with his wife and perhaps always would be. But he had never acted on his feelings, unlike Jekyll once had. Still...he had missed a very real danger to her that he had caught and he felt unease at that.
"It is like Hyde said...he could see it in her eyes. And I couldn't. I know Amora...I should have seen it," Fandral said.
"You and Amora were together a very long time ago, my love...and she hid it well. She was obviously careful while she was masquerading as Bianca," Rose replied. He sighed.
"Perhaps…" he murmured and she slipped her arms around his neck.
"I love you...and only you, my handsome warrior," she said, as she kissed him passionately.
"I know...and she's gone, at least physically. That will put me at ease," he said. She smiled at him, as Paul returned with her test results.
"Well?" Fandral asked anxiously. The doctor smiled.
"She's one hundred percent healthy. The test showed no anomalies and Eva examined the blood sample for any magical altering and there was none," Paul reported. Fandral sighed in relief.
"Wonderful...thank you so much for staying late. I know you've been here since yesterday," Fandral said. Paul smiled.
"It was my pleasure. I'll see you both soon," he said, as he left them and Rose hugged him tightly.
"Come on, my love...let's go home," she said. He agreed and led her out on his arm.
"Sweetheart...are you sure about this?" Xander asked, as he gave Johnny a hard look; a look which softened when he looked back at his daughter and grandson.
"Dad...he really saved us and he didn't have to. He knew some of those miscreants were headed for the diner and helped us get out of there. I know David has the final say, but I think his sentence should be reduced to time served," Natalie said.
"How do you know he's not just doing this to get us to let our guard down?" Xander asked.
"That's not my style mate…" Johnny said.
"But it was your father's...he did the same thing the whole time I worked for him. I mistook his fascination with Snow and David as mere admiration. I lost them for a year because of it," Xander replied.
"I'm not my father," Johnny argued.
"Dad...you have every reason to be skeptical, but I know Johnny better than anyone and he really isn't like Clayton. His father barely paid attention to him and the last thing he wants is to be like him," Natalie said, as she looked at him.
"He knows we're over...but Levi is still his son and I'm willing to give him a chance to be a part of his life. Supervised at first, of course," she said. Johnny nodded. Xander relented.
"Okay...for now, you're free to go and you'll tell David about this tomorrow," he said. She winced.
"Can't you?" she asked.
"Oh no...if you want to sell this to your big brother, it needs to come from you," he replied. She rolled her eyes.
"Fine…" she said, as he hugged her and kissed his grandson.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Xander said, as he looked at Johnny.
"And I'll be watching you," he warned. Johnny smirked.
"Duly noted, mate," he replied.
"Thank you...no one would blame you if you sent me back to prison," he said.
"As long as you're sincere about trying to change, then we won't have any problems," she replied, as he noticed Zorro waiting for them at the nurse's desk, a comfortable distance.
"So...you and the formerly masked vigilante?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yes…Diego and I are together and that's not going to change. You know we're over, right?" she asked. He nodded.
"I do...and I understand. Losing you is a mistake I will have to live with. As long as you're happy and he's good to my son," Johnny replied. She smiled.
"He's wonderful with our son and as long as you're serious about being better...then you'll have a place in Levi's life," she promised.
"Thank you again...guess I better find a place to stay. Suppose that dive motel near Iago's will have to do," he said. She shook her head.
"I talked to Granny and she agreed to let you have a room as long as you're on your best behavior," she replied.
"Wow…I guess thanks are in order again. I'll see you soon," he said, as he left and exchanged a glance with Diego on his way out.
"Ready to go?" he asked. Natalie smiled and pecked him on the lips.
"Yes...time to get this one down for the night," she agreed, as he put his arm around her and they left.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, as they stood in the hall of the Arendelle palace. She nodded.
"I won't hide the history from my people. The portrait will remain, but the shroud over Runeard's will be a reminder of our dark history. A history that will teach, learn from, and hopefully never repeat," Elsa said, as she pulled the chord and the cloth fell over the portrait. Leo nodded and kissed her hair, as they ventured down the hallway to their bed chambers.
"He's gone and he won't cast his shadow over Arendelle ever again," he promised. She smiled and they retired for the evening.
"And I want a double guard on the door, twenty-four hours a day, with three rotating shifts. Knight Zorro will have your new rotations. Dismissed," Fandral said, as the Knights dispersed late that evening.
"No one is getting in and she's gone…" Diego said.
"She's the Enchantress...I will take no chances. She is merely disembodied. Her spirit is still out there...she could be spying on Rose as we speak and I would not know it," Fandral fretted.
"Do we know of any way to expunge her essence?" Diego asked.
"No...she has no physical form and I know of no way to force her into the realm of the dead. For those that die at sea, we know Davy Jones oversees that. For others, we know it is Charon that ferries them to the afterlife. But one must go willingly," Fandral replied.
"Ah...and you think she will refuse to move on," Diego said.
"She does not give up...and I must find a way to protect Rose until we can figure out how to force her from the realm of the living," Fandral replied.
"And you will...I have no doubt that you will protect your family," Diego said. He sighed.
"Does it bother you that Hyde was involved in protecting her?" he asked.
"No...it's not that. I have known of Hyde's feelings for a very long time, but knew he would never act. I have also never doubted Rose's love for me. I just wish I had seen what he saw," Fandral answered.
"But it's like he said...he knows a monster and you were with Amora a very long time ago. You knew her by a different physical appearance. Choosing Bianca was very bold, even for her," Diego reasoned.
"I suppose you're right…" Fandral said, as he noticed his friend seemed pensive.
"Is there something else?" he asked.
"I asked about Hyde for another reason...since I think I may have a similar situation," Diego replied. Fandral thought for a moment.
"Ah...you mean with Natalie and Johnny," he deduced.
"Yes...it is very clear that Johnny still has feelings for her and they have a child together," Diego lamented.
"Perhaps...but that doesn't mean she still wants to be with him," Fandral reasoned.
"Do you think it's improper to ask Natalie how she feels...about both of us?" he asked. Fandral smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Not at all...our first trip to Storybrooke also was the first time I met Hyde and that she had seen him since her time in the Land of Untold Stories. I could tell instantly that he still had feelings for her," he said.
"Did you ask her about it?" Diego asked.
"She had previously told me about her time with both him and Jekyll. She was certain that they both had feelings for her, but said Hyde was always a perfect gentleman and never acted upon them and he never has until this day," Fandral replied.
"I think we can both agree that Mr. Hyde is far more noble than Johnny Clayton," Diego said.
"True...but he wasn't always," Fandral pointed out.
"I'm sure Natalie can assuage your fears. Openness and honesty is best in a relationship," he added. Diego nodded and would gladly take advice on relationships from Fandral since he had such a loving, solid marriage with his wife.
"I will finish rounds...you go spend time with Rose and the young ones," Diego said.
"Okay...but don't take too long and go to your love too," Fandral replied, as he bid him goodnight and started upstairs. He found Rose in the library, with the babies in her lap and their older twins sitting nearby, as she read to them. Carina was in the room as well, in a chair of her own, listening as well, but also on her phone.
"Papa...mama told us all about the battle! When will I be old enough to fight like you?" Ben asked. Fandral smiled and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"All in good time, young one," he said, as his gaze locked with his wife's.
"Okay my loves...it's time for bed," Rose said, as he helped her by taking Gunnar from her, while she held Astrid. Both were fed and asleep. After putting them down in their cribs, they tucked their older twins in and saw Carina off to bed as well, before retiring to their chambers.
"I have doubled the guard around the palace...if her spirit so much as attempts to haunt this castle, I'll know it," Fandral said, as he gazed out the window on their balcony.
"My love...please don't obsess over this. She's gone...at least physically," Rose soothed, as she put her arms around him.
"I'm sorry...but I know her and she will try to find a way to haunt us. And I'm not willing to allow her to find a way to hurt you. She came so close...and I couldn't stop her," he lamented.
"My love...you must stop punishing yourself. I am safe, because of you and our wonderful friends. Please...let's just be happy and grateful that we are together and she did not succeed," she replied, as she slipped her arms around his neck and squelched any remaining daylight between them. She drew his lips into a kiss and he relaxed a bit and kissed her deeply.
"I'm sorry...I don't mean to obsess, but almost losing you to her creates a despair in me that I don't think I could survive," he said.
"I've survived more than I ever should have...but losing you would destroy me," he added.
"And you won't lose me…" she promised.
"Let's not waste anymore time on that and spend the rest of our time on us," she said. He smiled and swept her into his arms.
"I have no qualms about turning all my attention to you, my beautiful angel," he said, as he carried her to bed.
Snow gasped, as their lips parted and she slid her hands down his back, as his hips rose and fell and he made love to her with deep, languid thrusts. She writhed beneath his hard body and her head lolled back. Her back bowed, as her climax struck and she sung his name, while he sought his own and finished mere moments behind her. His hands and lips roamed her bare form, worshipping and pleasuring, as their fingers laced in an intimate gesture; almost as intimate as the joining of their bodies. He collapsed on his back and pulled her with him, as she rested atop his slick chest, her own body glistening with perspiration as well.
"Oh...oh David…" she said in a dreamy tone. After over forty years of marriage, he could still take her to the stars and make her feel boneless and sated after lovemaking. He still made her toes curl when he kissed her and still gave her butterflies in her stomach with just one smoldering look.
"All that pent up adrenaline had to go somewhere," he joked. She smirked.
"We made good use of it," she agreed, as she kissed him tenderly.
"We won again…" she gushed.
"We did...love always wins, my darling. It always will," he promised, as he kissed her hair and they drifted off to sleep together.
Aphrodite felt his absence in bed and was roused. His side was still warm and he wasn't far. She admired his toned physique, as she often did, as he stood on the balcony in the night air. She sat up and pulled the sheet around her unclothed body, for there was a definite winter bite in the twilight air.
"Baby...are you okay? It's freezing out there," she called. He turned and came back inside, before closing the glass door on the balcony.
"Sorry my love...I didn't mean to wake you," he said, as he climbed back in bed.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as he caressed her beautiful face.
"Yes…it's just sometimes I have dreams," he replied. She nodded.
"You have since we got all our memories back," she said.
"It's weird having three lives in your head sometimes and I think the dreams are a way for me to remember some of the stuff that I haven't yet," he explained.
"That makes sense. You remember the big stuff, but it's taking time for all of it to come back," she reasoned. He nodded.
"Did you remember something significant?" she asked. He looked at her.
"James?" she asked, as she started to worry.
"Yeah…I remembered something...something that raises even more questions. I think there are pieces still missing from my time as Prince James and from your memory of that time," he replied.
"What do you mean?" she asked, as he told her what he saw.
Flashback
James enjoyed a celebratory drink, following his victory winnings at the tables. In the morning, he would slay a beast that was giving King Midas trouble and his father would finally have enough gold to satiate his greed. Then he would negotiate a marriage for him with whatever Kingdom offered the best deal and that would be that. He was raised to not even entertain the idea of marrying for love. That wasn't an option for a royal of his stature. If he was honest, it made him sad, but he didn't allow himself to entertain those feelings. He didn't allow himself to entertain any feelings at all.
"Your Highness...we have arranged a little gift for you up in one of the rooms," one of his Knights said. He rolled his eyes.
"Let me guess...you think because I've had a few that you pass off some middle aged woman you found in this dive that used to be pretty. Not interested," he said.
"Uh no, Your Highness...you're going to want to meet this one. She's...she's drop dead gorgeous and she wants you," the Knight answered. He sighed and started upstairs, intending to tell whoever was interested in him that he was in no mood. Sometimes, he found it amusing and a stroke to his ego when all the village girls fell all over themselves around him when he passed through their village. And some nights he had taken advantage of it, but he was in no mood tonight.
"I'm sorry my Knight wasted your time...but I'm not in need of your services this evening," he said, as he walked into his room.
"Are you sure about that?" a voice said, as he turned to find a stunning blonde in an airy pinkish orange dress. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he was speechless, which was quite a feat for him.
"Who...who are you?" he said, finally finding his voice.
"You don't remember me?" she asked coyly.
"If I knew you...I certainly never forget someone like you," he quipped. She smiled.
"Deep down, you wouldn't...just on the surface. I'm counting on that," she said, as she grabbed his face and kissed him. His eyes widened and he kissed her back, as his memories flooded back to him. Their lips parted and he gazed at her wide wide eyes.
"Aphrodite…" he uttered in disbelief and a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"James…" she cried, as he pulled her into his arms and spun her around.
"My father...he separated us!" he recalled. She nodded sadly.
"They took our memories, but when I was visiting this Kingdom at the request of my father, I came across a rare pink poppy and everything came rushing back. I've been looking for you all day," she said.
"I'm supposed to fight and slay some beast for King Midas tomorrow," he replied.
"You can't do that...it's suicide," she said. He smiled.
"I don't intend to now that I have you back, because we have to leave the Kingdom if we're to be together," he replied. She smiled.
"We must go further than that...we must leave the realm. Hermes says that if we can reach the edge of realms, she can arrange passage for us to a land without magic. It would be beyond your father's reach, but it will take all night to get there. We have to go now," she said. He smiled and grabbed his sword.
"Then let's go," he said, as he opened the window, intending to scale down the side of the building. He extended his hand and she took it. They traveled all night, but they would never make it. The last thing they remembered of that night, before memories were erased again and they were put back on their separate paths, was General Mendoza intercepting them on the way.
"Mendoza...he stopped us that night?" she questioned. He nodded.
"And that memory was still blotted out somehow...until now," James said.
"It makes sense though...his ancestor had a hand in your death when you were Adonis," she recalled. He nodded.
"The Navigator that worked for the Dragon King and his right hand, Tao," he remembered.
"Why do you think you're remembering this now?" she asked. He shrugged.
"I don't know...but Mendoza is still out there. Maybe this is my subconscious remembering that we have a serious score to settle. If not for him that night and whatever he did, which we still don't remember, we would have escaped the Enchanted Forest together," he said.
"Do you think that would have led to Snow and David never meeting?" she asked, but he shook his head.
"My brother was meant to meet Snow, just like I was meant to meet you and did so in three different lives. We already know they met before they even knew it. They would have met no matter what," he said. She nodded, inclining to agree.
"But Clayton sent him to separate us anyway," she said sadly and he took her in his arms.
"It doesn't matter. Clayton is dead. Rourke is dead. And coming soon...Mendoza is going to join them," he promised. And she realized that this might be why he had the dream he just had. The Universe had a way of nudging them toward making a correction when needed and she wasn't surprised that the powers of be wanted her husband to avenge them against Mendoza's ancestor of the same name and the current version that had entirely too much power in the Land Without Magic. But as always, she would be by his side.
"Just promise me that we will do this together," she said. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"Of course we will," he said, as he kissed her again and then moved down her neck. She felt that familiar passion lick at her nerves and gladly surrendered to it, as her husband lowered her to the bed once again...
Fandral kissed her hair, as they lay pressed together. She had gone to sleep, but he was wide awake with thoughts racing through his mind.
"If you're out there, Enchantress, I hope you heed my warning and never come near my Rose again, for if you do, I will find a way to end you, permanently. Take the chance at an afterlife and go," he said to no one in particular. Outside the window, where no one could see, her ghostly silhouette floated there and she smirked.
"Sorry handsome...I'm not done with either of you," she promised, as she disappeared into the mists of the night.
He was running toward something, as he heard screams all around him. He wasn't in the United Realms either. The city lights were almost blinding, even though it was dark and he brandished his sword. There was another scream and it unmistakably belonged to his wife.
"SNOW!?" he cried, as he kept running forward. Suddenly, it was pitch black and he looked every which way.
"Where are you!?" he cried, as a face flashed before him briefly, along with a chilling cackle.
"Snow!?" he called again, but the scenery changed again and he was suddenly in the meadow where their tree grew, alongside the other two trees belonging to their predecessors.
"Snow?" he asked breathlessly.
"Your love is fine, safe in your arms…" Esteban Nehza, the Dragon King himself, assured him.
"What was that? Was that a dream?" David asked.
"Sometimes, as truest loves, our dreams can be visions of possible futures; warnings if you will," Endymion answered, as he appeared.
"That wasn't the United Realms though...that was outside it, wasn't it?" David asked. They nodded.
"It was Mephisto...it was his face I saw," he realized.
"He is a great danger to the world," Esteban said.
"Is he coming after us again?" David asked.
"On the contrary, your light is too powerful for him and he is content to run his empire far away from the United Realms," Endymion replied.
"But he's hurting people and it's up to Snow and me as truest loves to end him," David realized.
"It is a burden you should not have...but I am afraid he will continue his evilness and it will feed the darkness. If left to fester for too long...it could be disastrous for the entire world," Esteban said. David closed his eyes and sighed.
"That's why I'm having nightmares about him all of a sudden...the Chalice is speaking to us again through our dreams," he realized. Endymion nodded.
"We know it's a terrible burden. You and Snow have had more than your fair share, even for the truest loves," he reasoned. David nodded. He didn't disagree with that.
"Snow and I will do what we must," he assured them, as they faded and he opened his eyes. It was the middle of the night and Snow was still spooned against him. He gently kissed her neck and pulled her close, content to hold her, as he contemplated what he had just learned.
"You're up early...even for you," Belle mentioned, as she padded down into the basement where she found her husband flipping through his spell books.
"I'm sorry...couldn't sleep," he muttered, as she put her hands on his shoulders.
"Which means that this isn't over, am I right?" she asked.
"Afraid not...Rourke was only halftime, I feel," he replied.
"Well...we know that General is still out there," she said.
"Yes...the spirit realm is still restless too, but that is to be expected. It will take Phoebus awhile to quell that and transport all those souls to beyond where they belong," he added.
"But I fear that's not the only reason for the unease I'm sensing," he said.
"Then what is it?" she asked.
"Mephisto…" he replied.
"I was hoping we'd never have to think about him again," she said.
"His level of evil is too great...there will never be balance as long as he is roaming free in the living world," he replied.
"The darkness is still stirring...I can feel it and as the Dark One, I would know," he added.
"What must we do?" she asked.
"For now...nothing. As always, the darkness will tip its hand and we will deal with it then. Good never engages first," he replied. She nodded. She knew he didn't like that part of the side of light, but he had accepted that it was the order of things.
"You should at least tell Snow and David about this feeling," she suggested. He nodded curtly, before they headed back upstairs.
The Next Morning
"This place is a real trip," Agent Harding said, as she walked into the diner and slid into a booth with the Major that morning. Patricia smirked.
"Believe it or not, you get used to seeing Unicorns on Main Street and dragons flying through the air," she mused.
"If you say so. What's good for breakfast? I'm starving," Danielle said.
"I haven't had a bad meal here and you can't beat the prices," she said.
"No kidding...I can't get anything in New York for these prices," she said. Patricia shrugged.
"No inflation here," she said.
"I'll take the country omelet," Patricia told the waitress.
"And you?" she asked.
"David's kids are always eating the pancakes so I'll go with that," she replied.
"So...are you heading back to New York?" she asked.
"Actually…I'm going to Vegas for a funeral," Danielle replied.
"Who died?" Patricia asked.
"My old partner from back in the day. He transferred to Vegas a few years ago to work vice. Word has it that his cover got blown somehow and he was murdered, pretty brutally. His family is a mess," Danielle replied.
"I'm sorry for your loss...but the reason I asked if you were going back to New York was because I was hoping to offer you a job," Patricia said. Her eyes widened.
"Here?" she asked. She nodded.
"It's actually David's idea. He knows you and you're a great detective," Patricia replied.
"Well...this would be unlike any assignment ever. Tell him I'll think about it while I'm in Vegas," she said, as their food was delivered.
"Good morning sleepy heads," Snow said, as she and David were already at work in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. Summer was up and JJ had come over to join them.
"Morning Mom," Bobby said, as he sat down and motioned for Flynn to join him.
"There's coffee and juice, boys," she said, as she put cups in front of them.
"How are you feeling, Flynn?" she asked.
"Oh...uh fine, ma'am," he answered politely.
"Flynn...you can just call me Snow," she said. He nodded and was surprised to see Regina, Robin, and Roland pop in and take seats at the large dining room table.
"Good morning…" she said, as she hugged her grandchildren and sat down with them.
"Morning Nana," Summer said, as Killian, Emma, and Hope popped in next.
"There's my girls," David said, as he greeted Emma and Hope, each with a kiss on the forehead, before he put Hope in her booster seat at the table.
"Well, you know these two. They could smell the bacon all the way from Storybrooke," Killian joked and Emma lightly elbowed him.
"So funny," she said sarcastically, as she took a piece and broke it in half, putting the other half in front of her daughter.
"Is it always like this?" Flynn asked, as the twins popped in with their spouses next.
"Not always...sometimes it's just the four of us, plus JJ sometimes. But at least once or twice a week, we do big breakfasts or dinners here or at Granny's," Bobby explained. Flynn had never experienced anything like this. It was so warm and it almost made him want to run from it, but as he sat there eating and was welcome right in, his knee jerk reaction to run slowly faded and he found himself engaging with them, especially Bobby, Summer, Roland, and JJ. He had never had friends before and admittedly, he liked it.
Snow leaned back against David, as they stood together on the balcony and his arms encircled her.
"I love mornings like these," she mentioned, as he pressed a kiss to her hair.
"Me too," he agreed.
"But it feels like a calm before something else, doesn't it?" she asked, as she turned to face him.
"I'm not hiding it very well, am I?" he asked. She smiled and slipped her arms around his neck.
"I know you, my love...I can sense something is bothering you," she said.
"I had a dream...Endymion and Esteban were both there this time," he replied.
"What did they say?" she asked.
"It was more that they helped lead me after the dream. It was weird...and I could tell that I was somewhere else, like a big city out there," he replied.
"Boston?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No...somewhere else. Anyway…I heard a lot of screaming, including yours, and then a laugh. An unmistakable cackling," he replied and she looked at him with questioning eyes.
"Mephisto...his face flashed before me, before I was back in the meadow with my predecessors," he explained.
"Mephisto...we have to face him…" she realized.
"Eventually...left to his own devices, we know a lot of people will be hurt and are probably being hurt as we speak," he said.
"He's been leaving us alone...it's odd," she replied.
"He'll leave us alone if we leave him alone...but I'm not sure how much longer we can leave him to torment the masses," he said.
"Then we need to track him down," she replied, almost sadly. She just wanted peace, especially since she knew their children would be fighting too.
"Yes...but not today," he said, as he kissed her tenderly. And whatever respite they had this time, they would enjoy, for they knew there was at least one more foe that they would have to face to save the world and their legacy...