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:
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Mephisto's time is coming to an end. Glad you're enjoying it!
Ghostwriter: Yep, most of baddies are rounded up and they just have big bads left. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, lots of Snowing loving! Yep, they're rounding up all the escaped criminals. Yep, Aiden Slade is a blast from the past. Yeah, Sid is a creepo for sure. Yeah, Iago's is that scummy dive that every town seems to have. Aiden is the worst and not even half as good as Leo and Elsa. Yeah, I threw in a flashback from way back. Goldie is a chronic complainer for sure, but I love Emma's joke. Yep, Leo and Elsa caught Angelica before she could do any real damage. Yeah, Mrs. Slade is seriously deranged herself and blames her family troubles on the Charmings. Yep, Flynn's file is mysteriously blank and I think Bobby is determined to figure it out. Yeah, Luka missed the boat and Leo is the one that got away for him. Yep, Fagin is really Mephisto and Danielle is about to tell David where he is. Yeah, they were awful stories. Thankfully, they'll never come true. Yep, Grimm is going to prison and no one will read his harmless blog. Glad you're enjoying it!
erica phoenix16: You're welcome :)
Grace5231973: Yeah, the break definitely will not last long with these big bads out there. But they rounded up the small ones. The Slades are from earlier chapters. Angelica Slade was the serial killer, way back in chapters 95ish-100is. It's revealed during that time that it was Angelica that killed her abusive father, Amos Slade, during the Shattered Sight curse. Her brother Aiden dated Luka after Esme told him not to date Leo and he always regretted it. If you go back around those chapters, I'm sure it will refresh your memory. Glad you're enjoying it!
Number Ten: Yeah, Mrs. Slade is very misguided. I think if she went to the Land Without Magic, she'd realize how good she has it in Storybrooke and that her family makes trouble for themselves. Yeah, Haddie never had a chance. Hopefully Luka can move on and be happy. Esme and Luka both seem to get caught up with abusers. Luka would have been good with Leo, but probably not given Leo what he needed. Yeah, the skin suit thing gives you some unwanted imagery. Flynn is definitely a curious thing and whatever secret is there will eventually find its way out. Glad you're enjoying!
The Grey Jedi 2020: Yep, season 10! That's okay, life gets in the way. I cut this one really close too. I just finished the chapter earlier this afternoon. Usually I have it done at least a day ahead of time. Yeah, I think Luka and Leo are best apart. Luka has a lot of problems and Leo is perfect with Elsa. I don't think Luka could have ever been comfortable with magic, because his mother's hatred of it. You can use Jared Gilmore, especially now that he is old enough. I have no problem with Andrew J West's portrayal so that's who I see as an adult. Yeah, there are definitely some parallels between Mephisto and Palpatine. I haven't planned the ending, but I can tell it's coming. I can't say when though, because I don't know. I'll feel it when I'm there and unless I get some new major idea, season 10 will likely be the end. I just don't know if that's in five chapters or ten. But I can feel it's getting close to the end. Thanks, that's really kind of you to say. Glad you're enjoying it and no worries about the review. Just glad you got one in. Thanks!
AnonSnowing: Yep, Sid and Aiden both belong in jail. Hopefully, they both go away for good this time. Yeah, Leo and Elsa aren't freaks. Aiden is just a small minded, evil jerk. Yeah, I liked that little flashback. So much has changed. Snowing scenes are my favorite too. I love Emma's Goldilocks joke and she is psycho. Goldilocks deserves a royal tribunal. Yep, Leo and Elsa found Angelica before she hurt anyone. Yep, the Slades are the complete opposites of the Charmings. I love how bad people are disgusted by Snowing's love too. They can't handle the goodness. Lol, I know, Bobby can't stop eating after a battle. I think it would take a lot of energy with all that magic. Yep, Flynn's past is a mystery and whatever secret is there might find its way out. Yep, I doubt it's the end of it. Either Frozen Lightning or Frozen Hunter. Yep, they are perfect for each other. Leo wouldn't have gotten what he needed from Luka. His Mom hates magic and Luka would have never been comfortable with it. It's very sad for Chris' family, but now Snow and David will soon know where Mephisto has been all this time. Yeah, Amora is even more dangerous now. Yep, it's looking like Amora and Mephisto are the final big bads. Unless I get some new, comprehensive idea, it's feeling like we're close to the end. I don't have it planned, but it's feeling like it. Yep, Grimm needs to go away forever so he can never write anything like that. Yep, we're at 250! It's amazing. Glad you're still enjoying!
There is also a love scene in this chapter. It's marked, so you can skip it if that's not your thing.
Finding You Always
Chapter 250: A Brief Respite
Rose and Fandral stepped out of the carriage that brought them to the Galaxy Rose hotel from the Harbor. He offered his hand to her and helped her down and she hooked her hand on his elbow.
"I am sorry, my angel," he apologized.
"For what, my love?" she asked with a perplexed look.
"For my behavior today. I overworked my Knights and myself for that matter. I was being very foolish," he admitted.
"I think foolish is a little strong and I adore how protective you are of me and our children," she said, as they stopped at the top of the stairs.
"I just can't shake this feeling that she's not done with us," he said.
"Perhaps not...but she will lose again. You must not be so hard on yourself, my warrior, because I know that you'll always protect me," she replied. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"Let's go in and celebrate our night out together. If she's out there, then she had better know to stay away if she values whatever existence she retains now. Because if she doesn't and comes near the woman I love again...I will end her. Nothing will take you from me, my angel," he said confidently. She smiled.
"There's my strong, confident warrior husband that I love," Rose replied, as he led her into the restaurant on his arm for the evening.
"And just like that, Captain Phoebus became the new Davy Jones. He's currently ferrying all the souls that died at sea for the last several decades to the Underworld," Eva said into her mic, as she and Paul streamed their latest live podcast.
"And I didn't think the doofus had it in him, but so far, he seems to have taken well to the job," Paul added.
"But then those are my in-laws. They give second chances to those that deserve them," he added. Eva smiled.
"They do...and many have taken them and gone on to be better people. Some, like Rourke however, do not and he is dust now," she said.
"Worm food, as Leo might say," Paul replied.
"Yes, leave it to my twin to give a tactless turn of phrase, but that's what we love about him," she said.
"The chat, of course, wants to know where your parents are now?" Paul asked. She smiled.
"They are celebrating together and enjoying some alone time at the beach house and I want to know nothing else about their time or any other details," she said.
"You don't...but you know the fans love any tidbits about their romance," Paul replied.
"Well trust me, Mom and Dad are enjoying nothing but romance tonight, I'm sure," she said.
"So many are asking what is next?" Paul said. Eva sighed.
"A little down time, I hope. That probably sounds boring to you, but it's cherished around here," she replied. He smirked.
"Many are pointing out in the chat that there are still a couple of big enemies out there," he said.
"There are...and not to worry, if they need to be stopped, my parents and our family will be there to stop them," she assured her listeners.
"I think that should do it for tonight. We'll see you next week," Paul said, as they concluded their podcast for the night.
"They really are paying close attention," Eva said. He smiled.
"Well…Mephisto is someone that's hard to forget and Mendoza is someone they're able to see on their level. He's technically from out there like them and in their own military," Paul replied.
"True," she said, as she slipped her arms around his neck.
"And as much as I wish the Enchantress won't be a problem...we know better. She may be in spirit form, but I won't be surprised if she finds a way to torment Rose and Fandral," she said.
"I wish I could disagree...but I can't," he replied, as he pecked her on the lips and she initiated a deeper, more passionate kiss.
"Come on...let's go to bed," she said slyly, as she led him to their bedroom.
David gazed out the open door to the patio that was attached to their bedroom in the beach house, letting the breeze sweep over his bare skin. They had spent most of the night in each other's arms, talking and making love, as they did most evenings alone together. But once again, images assaulted his dreams. They were vague and dark, but he could feel the danger in the air. But this time, he was even more sure of the culprit behind it all.
"You really think you could shake me, Prince Charming?" Mephisto asked. He appeared before him in the new body he was using and the morphed into the former one. The appearance he had during the two years that he was separated from his dark half. While David had been living unaware in Boston, his dark half had spent his days as Seth's right hand, dealing with his horrors and tantrums, while Mephisto was forced to answer to him.
"Did you think I'd forget how you humiliated me?" he asked.
"It seems you've been content to avoid us, because you know what fighting us might mean for you," David replied. Mephisto smirked.
"I'll admit...this place suits me, but don't think I've forgotten what you did to me and how the ache for revenge eats at me every day," he hissed, as an image of his family appeared before him.
"I want to kill them all...and if I can't do it outright, trust me, I will find a way to destroy them all," he growled.
"I was forced to kneel before you as your subordinate when that fool Seth was in control. Your deception of him was quite impressive, though he was a petulant child and easily manipulated, even by you," he continued.
"But this time...I promise it is you that will kneel before me when I threaten to crush everyone you love. Unless you stop me first," Mephisto warned, as his children disappeared and Mephisto wrapped a hand around Snow's slender neck.
"Stop me...abandon that stupid mantra that heroes follow when they let their enemy strike first," he said, as Snow gasped for air.
"Let her go!" David cried, as flames exploded around the demon and his wife.
"Stop me...or you will lose everything," he promised, as he cackled, while Snow screamed and disappeared into the flames. He was shaken from the memory when he felt a hand on his back, bringing him back to reality.
"David…" Snow said, as he turned to her and she was startled by the haunted look in his eyes.
"Oh baby…" she cooed, as she let him fold her into his arms and she rested her head against his shoulder, while gently stroking the back of his neck.
"He wants revenge...but he won't confront me directly. He'll just play his little games and send his minions. He wants me to confront him…" he said.
"Then we will...together. We'll find him and stop him from hurting people," Snow said.
"I hate the idea of taking you and the kids into that. We're more protected in the United Realms. Out there...not so much," David replied.
"But we do everything together. It's our way...the only way," she reminded him. He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Come on...let's go to bed, my love," she said.
"To sleep?" he asked slyly.
"What do you think, handsome?" she asked coyly, as she led him to the bed and climbed a top him, straddling his waist.
_Snowing_
She slid her hands purposefully down his sculpted torso and to the member between his legs. He was already hard and erect and she put her small hand around his considerable length, watching him writhe beneath her.
"Snow…" he breathed, as he gazed up at her straddling him, completely naked and beautiful, her round, pert breasts in his full, delighted view. She smirked down at him and shifted her body so that she was fully straddling his hips now and he groaned in pleasured agony, as she slowly lowered herself onto him, pushing him inside her body.
"Snow…" he cried and bit her bottom lip, as she stared down at the sight that was him before her.
"I love you so much…" Snow breathed, as she began riding him. He was beside himself, as she made love to him and he watched her roll her hips over his with deep, languid gallops. He cried out, as he felt himself pulse almost painfully inside her and she felt it too.
"Come baby...come for me…" she requested, as she panted for air due to the sexual exertion. She felt her entire body begin to tremble, as she drove him into her sweet spot with every thrust. She threw her head back and he watched, mesmerized by her naked breasts bouncing against her chest. He let out a strangled cry, as he came inside her and she rode him through his orgasm.
"Oh Charming…" she cried, as he was there to hold her as she came as well and their lips crashed together, as she writhed and trembled flush against his hard body. They were so thoroughly tangled together that one would not be able to discern where one began and the other ended.
"So beautiful…" David rasped, as he kissed at her neck and her breasts, while she thrashed in the throes of passion.
_Snowing_
"I love you...so much," he whispered, as he pressed another kiss to her hair.
"And I love you…" she said, as she rested her head against his chest.
"And this is one demon that I will not let haunt you…" she insisted.
"If he is haunting your dreams the way Jekyll haunted mine, then I will do what you did for me. I'll find you in your dreams and help chase him away until we deal with him," she promised. He smiled.
"You've always been my hero," he said. She smiled.
"And you've always been mine," she replied, as their lips met again and they finally fell asleep again.
General Mendoza sipped at his coffee, as he observed the battle that ended his ally in the United Realms. Rourke. The alliance was shaky at best, as he knew Rourke had his own ambitions and was running his own agenda. The sheer power that this family had would have been unbelievable if he was not seeing it for himself.
As a descendant of his namesake, the expert Navigator to the likes of Pizarro and later the illustrious and elusive Collector, he had a lot of pride and didn't like it when that pride took a hit. But it was, knowing that he could never stand against this pair.
He still had his namesake's old, tattered journals and like him, he had served the Collector as his chief Navigator. He had also done what was asked of him by Hera, so long ago. He intercepted James and Aphrodite that night they tried to escape together at the Edge of Realms. Hera had sent Ares as extra muscle and Aphrodite had been whisked away to Olympus by him for a memory wipe. He had used water from the river Lethe on James once he was captured and swiftly returned him to the Inn, none the wiser. The next day, James had been killed and ended up in the Underworld, still without the true memories of his life and previous incarnations, thanks to Hera's little deal with Hades. Aphrodite then focused on her champions, which met a short time later. That should have been the end of it and he was satisfied that he had got revenge on them both for their indirect part in the tribunal his ancestor had been subjected to.
Even though Adonis had died and Aphrodite's memory had been wiped of him completely, the Dragon King and Queen, as well as their adviser Tao had not forgotten his namesake's treachery. The Collector had escaped their wrath, but Esteban and Tao had captured his ancestor. He was given a tribunal and charged with treason, before being swiftly executed. It was fortunate that he had left a son out there, who was eventually recruited by Clayton's ancestor and his bloodline survived, eventually leading to him.
He was the longest living member of his bloodline, thanks to Atlantis and the youth potions and he had sworn revenge on the truest loves, as well as the Goddess and her love. He thought he had gotten that when he helped Hera separate them and James was killed. But he was alive again and they were blissfully in love. Add to that, while the Dragon King and Queen met a premature end, another pair reigned and they were more powerful than any before.
Clayton was dead and his son had gone soft, threatening the Collector's bloodline. There was young Levi, but being that he was half Charming, it was likely he would be raised to never know half his lineage. If only he could swipe the child and raise him as his own. He had no children either, after all, and it was truly the ultimate revenge. But this pair of truest loves would surely find him and end him, just as their predecessors had ended his ancestor. No...that plan would only work if Mephisto would come through and eliminate them. At this junction, he was the only one powerful enough and he would bide his time to see what the demon decided to do. He may have been leaving the Charmings alone and vice-versa, but he knew Mephisto's bloodlust for them would eventually need to be quenched. Further, he also knew the Charmings would get word of the evil underworld empire he was building and would come to try and end him.
Only then could he know if he would have his revenge on them or not.
Still, he remembered one little thing that Clayton had done while they were in his captivity that they still didn't know about and as he skimmed the newest editions in the book, he realized that this little unknown secret might soon fight its way out. He stood up and got his coat. Perhaps he would help this one along.
The next morning, despite wanting to spend another day alone, Snow and David had agreed to a diplomatic visit with Queen Nubia and the Kingdom of Hiva since they were on the island already. They weren't excited about it, not because they didn't like the people, because they did, but the Kingdom of Hiva and people of Mu insisted on rolling out the proverbial red carpet for them and employing massive fanfare for a visit from the Children of the Sun. It was hardly a low key breakfast at Granny's that they usually enjoyed, but they agreed. Snow wore a light, airy sundress and he wore pants and a sleeveless shirt made of lighter material as well since the climate was much different here than in Storybrooke and Misthaven.
Queen Nubia had sent her two best guards, Faruka and Hessia to escort them to Hiva, which David insisted was totally unnecessary. They had gone up against the likes of Hades, the Collector, Mother Gothel, a demon possessed Dr. Jekyll, the God killer, evil Pharaoh that was Seth, and even the devil himself. But they respected Queen Nubia's traditions and followed the two guards to the Kingdom of Hiva on the other side of the island.
"Welcome back...you honor us all with your visit," the Queen said, as she bowed to them, which made them a little uncomfortable, as they were usually with that kind of praise.
"Please...that's not necessary," Snow said.
"Of course...it's just that you and your husband saved our island, preserved Cibola, and defeated the evil Mu from bringing destruction to all," she said, as they looked to the mountain that had been burning when they initially arrived. It wasn't glowing anymore and they had shut down the radioactivity, but no one had gone near it since.
"I'm afraid I also have a request, Your Majesties," Queen Nubia said, as they sat down at the dining table that had been laid out with her.
"Here it comes…" David muttered and Snow gave him an elbow to his ribs.
"Be nice," she chided playfully.
"What can we help with?" she asked.
"I've always admired your ability for diplomacy," he murmured to her and she gasped, as he playfully pinched her rear. She looked at him incredulously.
"Keep it up, handsome...you know what paybacks are," she warned. He smirked.
"That's what I'm counting on," he replied, giving her his best smolder. She suddenly realized how hot it was and took a long drink from the water glass that she had been served.
"Well...our library at Cibola is mostly complete, but there were a few ancient, very old manuscripts that Queen Omaru had in her possession, which were never returned," she said.
"And you're reluctant to send anyone into the mountain, due to the radiation," David deduced.
"Yes...and since you two are protected from it by the Chalice, I was wondering if they could be retrieved?" she asked. Snow looked at him.
"Not exactly what we planned to be doing today," he said softly.
"Maybe not...but you and I never turn down an adventure. Maybe it will be fun, you know, us alone in a jungle on the way," she replied softly to him.
"We'll make the journey there after breakfast. But any idea where these manuscripts would be located inside that mountain?" he asked.
"Well…I cannot be sure, but if I had to guess, most likely near the Queen's Throne or in her study," Nubia replied.
"We can start there," Snow agreed, as breakfast was delivered and they began eating.
"Thank you so much...I will be eternally grateful," Nubia said. David smiled and looked at his wife.
"We're happy to do it," he said.
Flynn shook his head, as he watched Bobby polish off a huge mega stack of pancakes at Granny's that morning.
"I've never seen a person eat as much as you," he mentioned.
"Yeah...feeding this brood is no small task," Joe said, as he delivered more food to the table and Leo started on his second helping.
"Yeah...our record is like six pounds of bacon between all of us, including Dad," Emma boasted, as she snagged another piece, ate half of it and placed the rest in Hope's hand.
"As you can see, it's hereditary," Killian joked, as his daughter made quick work of the bacon as well.
"So what are you two up to today?" Eva asked. They shrugged.
"I dunno…" Bobby replied.
"You should check out the roller rink. That place was a blast," Summer said. JJ chuckled.
"I still can't believe you had no idea Storybrooke had a roller rink," he teased.
"I know...but when we weren't fighting dragons, I was usually at the gymnastics school, getting my energy out that way or horseback riding with Nana," she said.
"Horseback riding is pretty cool, especially with a unicorn," he replied.
"Want to go today?" she asked.
"Sure," he answered, as he started getting out some money, but Regina put her hand up.
"It's on me...have fun at the reserve," she said.
"I'll be there soon," Leo said, as he kept eating and Elsa playfully rolled her eyes.
"Maybe we can check out the museum? My Aunt Natalie's exhibits are pretty cool," Bobby said.
"I'm not sure museums are my speed," Flynn replied.
"Okay...we could hit the amusement park again. Might as well enjoy it since we'll have to go back to school in a couple days," Bobby said.
"Your parents are really insistent on that?" he asked. Bobby smiled.
"Yup...but don't worry, Mom will want to take you shopping before we go back so you won't have to wear the same clothes all the time," he replied.
"Whoa…I don't know about that. I mean, it's one thing for them to let me stay with you guys, but I don't expect them to spend money on me," he said.
"They know...but she's going to do it anyway and if I have to suffer through it, then so do you now," Bobby replied. He sighed.
"Yeah...let's hit the amusement park while we can," he agreed, as the two of them left, along with Roland and Gideon.
"We're off to the hospital," Paul said, as he and Eva got up. Leo headed out too, as Regina paid and she and Robin headed for Oz to visit Zelena and Jade.
"Guess it's just us...what should we do on Mommy's day off?" Emma cooed to Hope.
"How about a day on the water?" Killian suggested. She smiled.
"That sounds nice," she agreed.
Snow and David trekked through the jungle on the way to the burning shield mountain, hand in hand. They were taking their time, as they anticipated no trouble and he looked over at her with a smile.
"It's not often that we're trekking through a forest or jungle and there is no mortal danger," he mentioned.
"Don't borrow trouble, Charming," she teased and he chuckled.
"Yeah...if we manage to find trouble here, we'll never live it down. Our kids think we're walking trouble magnets," he said.
"Yeah…I wish we could refute that, but they have all this evidence," she replied, making him laugh again.
"Maybe...but I wouldn't change any of it," he said. She smiled.
"Me either...though I could do without the psycho stalkers, the genocidal maniacs, and the creepy Collectors," she said.
"Hopefully, all that is behind us or at least it will be when we get rid of that demon," he replied.
"I know we will win...and if reading our lives splashed all over Land Without Magic tabloids is the worst thing in our future, I think I can deal with that," she joked. He smiled.
"They do seem really fascinated with us...why is that?" he asked. She smiled. He didn't get it, but from a female standpoint, she did.
"They love our romance...some of them just carry it a bit far," she answered.
"A bit?" he asked.
"Okay...way too far. You should see some of the questions they ask about us in some of those articles," she replied.
"No thanks," he muttered and she smiled slyly, as she slipped her arms around his waist.
"Don't worry baby, they can ask those questions, but only I'll ever know things like whether you wear boxers or briefs and what kind of…equipment they cover," she said with a naughty grin. His eyes widened and he looked at her incredulously.
"That is none of their business," he said indignantly. She smirked and continued to walk alongside him with her arms around his waist.
"It's not...but I can't blame them too much. I mean, I think about you like that a lot," she said.
"You're my wife," he said.
"I know...and they know it and how lucky I am. They can only speculate of course, but my happiness and bliss speaks volumes to them. They're able to deduce the rest," she replied, as she playfully pinched his rear. He looked over at her and smirked.
"Don't start something you can't finish," he teased.
"Who says we can't finish it out here?" she challenged, as they reached the base of the mountain.
"Oh we can...I say we find these manuscripts and then head back to the beach house. I could go for another swim, especially since we forgot to pack our swimwear," he replied.
"Oh, I didn't forget. I left it home on purpose," she replied, as they entered at the base of the mountain, near a large waterfall that the Mu had once attempted to use as their cooling system. Upon entering, they noticed the Chalice glow around them, as it was innately protecting them against any remaining radiation.
"I'll never understand the need for ultimate power or world domination. It's all so empty and pointless compared to true love," she mentioned. He smiled and kissed her hair.
"It is," he agreed.
"This place is still as creepy as ever," she said, shuddering a bit. He slipped his arm around her waist, as they traversed the bowels of the manmade structures inside of the mountain.
"They're definitely gifted engineers. Too bad it was wasted on something like this," he mentioned, as he observed all the defunct tech and architecture.
"We probably should bring your sister here. Some of this looks like it's thousands of years old," Snow mentioned.
"I'll take some photos for her. She may want to do an excavation. I'm sure we can get Queen Nubia to agree," he said, as he took some photos and they continued on until they found themselves in what appeared to be a dungeon of some kind.
"Ugh...this is far worse than the dungeons that Regina had," she said, as they observed the various skeletal remains.
"Definitely," he agreed. They made their way through the empty halls. They entered one of them at the end of the hall and it was pitch black. At least along the other corridors, there was still some lighting that worked, but not in this particular room.
"Hang on," David said, as he took out his sword and willed the blade to light up with a glow, much like the Chalice would. Snow felt something brush her back and turned. There was light in the room now and she cried out when she was what it was. She turned away and buried her face against David's chest, as he saw the skeletal remains hanging by a noose from the rafters.
"I think we're in the execution room," he said.
"Can we find our way out of it?" she asked. He smiled and led her through it, along their lighted path and into the next room, which they recognized as Queen Omaru's Throne room. She shuddered at the memory.
Flashback
"Who's there?" she called with a quiver in her voice, as the lights went up in the room and she saw a woman sitting before her upon a Throne. She looked much like the other Mu people. Sunken eyes and cheeks, yellowing irises around sickly green eyes, rail thin and probably balding, though this woman wore a headdress, not unlike the Queen of Hiva did.
"I am Omaru, Queen of the Mu and I am told that you are called Snow White. A very appropriate name it would seem," the woman said.
"Where is my husband?" Snow demanded to know. She smirked.
"Causing quite a ruckus from his cell...he is very virile," the Queen mentioned.
"I want to see him," the raven haired beauty demanded.
"In good time...I must say, you are both quite impressive. The Goddess Venus has chosen well. Your rectitude and exploits are impressive and now you have come to save my people," she said.
"Charming and I would never not help people in need, but I know you don't have good intentions for the gold you seek. You have poisoned your people with radiation, if my daughter is correct, and now you are poisoning us," Snow refuted.
"We have made great sacrifices in our health for the greater good, I agree. But it is a sacrifice my people willingly make for the glory that should be ours. And you and your husband are quite protected, I assure you. The Chalice has seen to that," the Queen responded. It was then that Snow noticed a protective glow around her person and realized that once again, the Chalice demonstrated a power that almost seemed sentient when it came to knowing when they needed protection.
Fortunately, the creepy Queen was locked up in prison now and she looked around and saw something on the shelves behind her Throne.
"Charming…" she said, pointing there and they walked toward them. She delicately picked up the manuscripts, which were very old and tattered, as well as folded in an accordion type style. There were symbols, akin to hieroglyphs on them and she was unsure of the language.
"These look like they're what she wants," David said, as she carefully put them in the satchel she had brought.
"What is this?" Snow asked, as she coughed and they unrolled the dusty scroll.
"Blueprints I think...this looks like the crystal reactor and this looks like the wall with symbols inside the tallest tower in Cibola. It's a pretty good depiction, considering few have been there," he said, as he saw a book there as well.
"What's that?" she asked.
"I don't know…" he said, as it started to glow, much like the jar with the fishhook in it had when it was close to the Chalice.
"I can't read any of this and have no idea why it's glowing. You think it's the Chalice?" he asked.
"Probably...and she didn't ask for this. I think we should take it to your sister. We can have Emma do a magical translation," Snow replied.
"Maybe we should take photos of those manuscripts too and have them translated too. Not that I don't trust Queen Nubia...but I don't completely," David said.
"We've been betrayed too many times. I can count on only two hands the people I trust completely," Snow agreed, as she put the book and the dusty scroll in her bag as well.
"Okay...time to leave the creepy mountain," she said, as he took her hand and they started back to the Kingdom of Hiva.
After a day at the amusement park, they had gone home for the day and were watching some movies when Natalie came home with Levi.
"Hey boys…" she said.
"Hey Aunt Nat…" Bobby called, as she put her son in his playpen.
"There's still some pizza in the kitchen if you want some," Bobby said, as made a goofy face at his cousin.
"Thanks...but we ate with Diego," she said. Bobby saw that Flynn was absorbed in a conversation with Gideon and Olivia, so he got up and followed her into the kitchen.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Oh...of course, sweetie," she replied, a little surprised.
"It's about my friend Flynn. He's an orphan and says he was born around the same time as me, maybe a few months before, but he has no record of where he came from," Bobby said.
"That's strange...but how can I help?" she asked.
"Well...records around here are surprisingly good, thanks to the magic of all the curses, which makes me wonder if he was born in Atlantis like I almost was. There was a lot of confusion with that curse and my Dad almost died. Then Zelena…" he replied.
"So you think there might be a record of his birth in the Atlantis records and not the Storybrooke records?" she asked. He nodded.
"Maybe...and he says he doesn't care. But I can tell he does...he just doesn't want to be a bother," Bobby replied. She raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Some of Eva's powers have rubbed off on me since she taught me to sense feelings from people," he offered as an explanation.
"Anyway...I was wondering if Milo and Kida could find anything in the records?" he asked. She smiled.
"I'll tell them about it in the morning," she promised.
"Thanks Aunt Nat," he said, as he gave her a hug and went back to the living room with his friends.
Snow and David returned to Hiva by dusk and delivered the manuscripts to Queen Nubia. They conveniently left out that they found a book or the blueprints and had taken photos of the manuscripts. They were on their way then back to the beach house, only to get a call from the Major.
"Hey…" David said, as he answered his phone.
"I know I promised not to bother you, but Danielle is back and she has some information she needs to share. It's urgent," Patricia said.
"Okay...we'll portal back to Storybrooke and see you at Granny's in fifteen minutes," David said, as he looked at Snow.
"Is there trouble?" she asked.
"I don't think so...but Danielle is back and has something urgent to tell us," he replied, as they changed into their warmer clothes for the Storybrooke weather and used the Chalice to portal to Granny's.
"Sorry again to interrupt your mini vacation," Danielle said, as they found a booth in the diner.
"That's okay...I assume this isn't just about accepting my job offer?" he asked.
"Afraid not...as you know I was in Vegas for a funeral and I think I know who killed my former partner," Danielle replied.
"That's good...but why share it with me and not the Vegas PD?" he asked, as he watched her take a photo out of the folder she had on the table.
"Because it's this guy…" she revealed, as she showed them a photo of the man legally known as Fagin. But they knew better. They knew who this man really was now.
"This is Mephisto…" David said.
"It is...he's been in Vegas since your last encounter with him, building his own little criminal empire," Patricia said, as she showed them a photo of a large hotel and casino.
"Hotel Inferno...how appropriate," Snow deadpanned.
"The city lights I saw…" David said and she nodded.
"In your vision...you were seeing Las Vegas," Snow deduced. Danielle looked at them.
"Vision?" she asked.
"Dreams...let's just say that the Chalice and my predecessors have been trying to tell me that Mephisto is too dangerous not to be dealt with," David replied.
"Your dreams are right...he's behind my former partner's murder and probably countless others. According to the information his widow slipped to me, he's running a trafficking ring for drugs and humans," Danielle replied.
"Does the Vegas PD have this?" David asked. She shook her head.
"His wife was pretty careful to only give this to me. I can't prove it...but this is Mephisto we're talking about. There's no telling how many cops he has corrupted, willingly or not. Chris was probably killed, because of a dirty cop ratting him out to Mephisto," she explained.
"Yeah...you're probably right. Mephisto's main goal is to own a soul. In exchange for selling their soul, they get money and power. It's a lot to resist for some and for those that resist him, he has his minions kill them," David said. She smiled.
"Chris was a good guy...he would have never sold out to the devil. He was spiritual too...he would have seen that evil and tried to expose it and it got him killed," Danielle replied. Snow put her hands on the other woman's.
"Then we'll avenge him. Mephisto has to be dealt with and it's up to us," Snow said.
"She's right...I think we gather as much Intel as we can from here and have everyone go over what we have. Then it will be time for a trip to Vegas to deal with him, once and for all," David replied.
"He was banished from his former realm...do you think you'll have to banish him again? Or do you think the Chalice is powerful enough to destroy him?" Patricia asked.
"We're not sure...but Fandral and Sif have experience with him. Maybe they can find some texts in Rose's library that will give us more insight into him," David replied.
"That's an incredible idea...I'll call Rose now," Snow said, as she pecked him on the lips and stepped away to call Rose.
"We'll get justice for your former partner and anyone else he's killed. We will take him down," David promised, as Snow returned.
"Rose is looking. She'll call if she finds something," she replied.
"Thanks...it really does feel like I'm family here. Guess I made the right choice," she mentioned. They smiled.
"You did...you are family now and you're a great detective. You'll be a major asset around here," David replied.
"Thanks...can I buy a round of drinks?" she asked. They smiled.
"We won't say no to that," Snow replied, as she signaled the waitress.
"Yeah and at these prices, I can afford drinks and food for all," she said, as she ordered for them.
"So...how was the mini-vacation?" she asked.
"Relaxing and then we had a mini adventure," David replied.
"A mini adventure?" Danielle asked.
"We did a favor for Queen Nubia of the Kingdom of Hiva. They live on the island of Mu," he replied.
"A huge favor...we went back to that creepy mountain and retrieved some manuscripts for her," Snow said.
"Yeah...we found a book in some ancient language too and some blueprints we're going to show my sister. We let them have the manuscripts after we took photos," David replied. She shook her head.
"Only you two would find adventure and romance in a creepy nuclear mountain on your vacation," she teased. They smiled at each other.
"What's love and romance without a little adventure?" he asked playfully. She smiled at him and they shared a passionate kiss.
"I see what you mean by eternal honeymoon," Danielle said. Patricia smiled.
"You get used to it and then you find comfort in it," she replied. This family thing was new to her, but so far, she really liked it...