AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Saberius Prime: Yep, Deimos will be resurrected. Only on Once, right? And this chapter tells how it happened. Glad you're enjoying the story so much!
Naomi Blue: I am anxious for Damon to die again too. He's a good villain though. He may be around a while, but I promise when he does finally die again, it will be permanent, fitting, and probably painful. I love the dynamic Snowing has with Emma in this story. I really enjoy writing it so I'm glad you enjoy it. :)
Barratta Jennifer: Yes, Damon will get his. Eventually. ;)
Ragsweas: I know, he's horrible...but a good villain I think at least. As for how Deimos was resurrected, that question is answered in this chapter. But I'll tell you that you're onto something. I adore Snowing and their dynamic with Emma in this story too. Glad you're enjoying!
BooksinmyDreams: So glad you're enjoying the story!
Paulaa90: I love the dreamscape too and the family dynamic. Glad you're enjoying it too. It will soon carry over to the real world though. We're getting close. Yep, Regina is going to get very close to winning and then have it all snatched away. Phobos does appear in this chapter, however, I won't spoil much more than that. Yep, Deimos will not give up.
Number Ten: The sacrifice is revealed in this chapter. As for when will he be destroyed for good? It might be a while yet, but I promise when it does happen that it's fitting and painful. :)
Cassie: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, glad that you thought the Charming family bits were beautifully written, what a nice compliment! As for Phobos, I won't spoil it, but you're onto something. You're also onto something with Jefferson as well. As for Deimos, yep, killing him again will pretty much be the only way to get rid of him. Glad you're enjoying so much!
Sara K M: Yes, Mary has come a long way. She doesn't feel guilty or like she doesn't deserve David anymore. A sign that Snow is close to the surface, but also that Mary Margaret has grown into her own a bit. Glad you liked the Charming family scenes and the flashback. There's another flashback in this chapter that finishes that story of how exactly he returned and why they didn't know. Yep, Regina knows exactly which vein to expose with Jefferson and that will be very evident in the next two chapters. There is a shortage on Henry/Snow scenes in canon and I don't know why that is. But I'm trying to get those in here, because I think they are really important. Yes, I lay most of the wardrobe on Geppetto and I don't give him a pass like most do. Blue is guilty of a lot of other things that bother me, but that's another tangent.
As for the slippers, yes technically Hades could go to Storybrooke right now. I should have explained that better. But he and Zelena aren't interested until there's magic. Frankly a place without magic would probably be terrifying to them. They don't have an advantage without magic. That being said, it's also important to remember that this is AU. I write a lot of AU and one thing I love doing is world building. So sometimes, I do shift things or change them from canon. I usually have a reason or explain why though. Glad you're enjoying the story.
Izzypirell: Glad you enjoy the dreamscape! I do spend time plotting out the time line and doing time line math, as hard as that gets with Once sometimes. I don't like plot holes so I try to avoid those and attempt to close ones canon leaves. The romantic flirty Snowing is my favorite too! I loved them appreciating each other physically. Snow is definitely bubbling to the surface there. Glad you liked the Henry/Mary conversation. It was sorely missed in later seasons, I agree. And she did get a little hope speech in there. More evidence that Snow is just beneath the surface now. We're getting close. :)
Beth1980: Yes, the dreamscape scene was heartbreaking, but I agree, she made the right decision so Snow will have time to process it before she's awake. Yes, Lancelot made a huge error in not taking those ashes with him or having David take them. It's pretty much what makes Deimos' killing null and void. I'm glad you mentioned how similar Snow and Henry are. A couple chapters ahead, there is a small scene where someone realizes it. I can't say more than that. As for Jefferson, eek, won't say too much, but get ready for some dumb choices in the next couple chapters. Yeah, I think it's a tie between hungover Emma with her parents and toaster slaying Emma with her parents, lol. I agree, it's a special kind of evil to blame and punish a child. That's why it never sat right with me. I don't know how fans blame Snow for any of that. Anyway, glad you're enjoying!
One more note: It is important to know that the events in this chapter and the next are occurring relatively close together and some at the same time in different parts of town in the next chapter and following chapter. You'll understand as you read the next couple chapters. This chapter and the next two are all occurring on the same afternoon.
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 36: Whatever It Takes
August stood in front of the pawnshop, looking at it with trepidation. He had received a message at the front desk of the Inn this morning from Mr. Gold himself. The note requested his presence at the shop that afternoon and had stated expressly that his services as a writer were required.
He instantly wondered if it was a ruse. Surely by now, the Prince had told the Dark One everything about their encounter. He still didn't understand the Prince's motives for helping him and wondered what would happen when they found out they actually shared a grandson. He suspected that it would make their friendship stronger and something about that didn't set right with August. It frustrated him, because he felt the Prince should loathe the Dark One as much as he did, for he was the cause of all of this. However, August also was not a father and didn't have that kind of common ground that Gold and David shared.
Cautiously, he stepped inside the seemingly empty shop and felt his trepidation increase, as Mr. Gold came in from the backroom.
"Mr. Booth...you're late. I was beginning to think you weren't coming," Gold stated.
"Sorry...but I think you can understand my leeriness," August retorted.
"Leeriness? I simply called you here to hire you for a simple task," Gold responded, as August approached the counter.
"Why would you be leery? It's not as though you lied and were going to pretend to be my Baelfire...or that you stole my dagger," he hissed, as he grabbed August's shirt.
"Oh wait...you did exactly those things," he snarled at the formerly wooden boy. August's eyes were wide with fear and he was speechless, as he swallowed thickly.
"So...that's it? You're going to kill me?" he stammered. Gold growled and let go of him, as he stumbled back.
"No...I'll not waste time on such a meaningless task when you're soon to be scrap wood anyway," he hissed.
"Then what do you want? I'm not like the Prince. I won't make deals with the likes of you," August spat. Gold chuckled.
"You know, I love how you pretend you have any more of a moral streak than me. It's quite amusing, considering you're a liar and a thief. But I didn't call you here to talk about your failings as a real boy," he continued.
"Then what?" August asked.
"I want you to borrow young Henry's book and add these pages to it," Gold replied, as he handed him some finished pages that would fit in the book, complete with illustrations. August took a moment to look through the pages and his eyes widened.
"Is this story real?" he asked.
"As real as any other story in Henry's book," Gold answered.
"And Snow White doesn't know?" August asked again.
"Not yet...but she soon will when her daughter breaks the curse," Gold replied.
"Fine...but what will you do for me?" August asked. Gold sneered at him, as he grabbed him by the shirt again.
"I will promise not to use you for firewood…" he growled. August glared at him, as he released him. He had been debating whether he should tell him that he knew Baelfire, but Neal, as he went by now, didn't want him to know. And this was a promise August decided he would keep. As far as he was concerned, Neal was better off without this man in his life.
"Fine...I'll have to swipe the book from the kid, but it shouldn't take me long to add the pages," August replied, as he stalked out of the shop. He decided then though that it wasn't the only story he would be adding to the book. It was time to add his own as well…
Emma smacked the monitor and the screen blipped slightly, but remained frozen. It was no wonder though, it was still one of those clunky box monitors in true 1980's style. She had found money in the budget for a scanner, but it was proving to be incompatible with the dinosaur computer. She had been determined to streamline their filing system by scanning everything and eliminating the old, archaic way they did it now. But it was really hard to do with such outdated computers.
"I'd ask if you need my help, but I can barely use one of these things so I doubt I'd be able to fix it," David mentioned. She smirked at him.
"Yeah, watching you figure out a computer is kinda funny," she teased and he rolled his eyes.
"Here come the old jokes," he muttered, as she beat on the side of the monitor again.
"I may not know anything about them, but I don't think beating it up is going to work," he teased back. She smirked.
"It's been known to work on the bug," she quipped, as she started looking through Storybrooke's small phone book.
"I'll probably fall over in shock if Storybrooke actually has an IT guy," she mentioned, as she looked through it.
"If Regina would just give us the funding to upgrade the entire system, we wouldn't need one," he mentioned back. Emma snorted.
"Yeah, add that to a list of things that will happen when the Underworld freezes over," she commented, just as Regina walked in with a woman they didn't recognize trailing her.
"Speak of the devil," David muttered, making Emma snicker.
"Well...it's good to see that our Sheriff's department doesn't seem busy at all. You'll be able to devote your full attention to a very serious matter," Regina stated, as she motioned the woman that was with her.
"What are you talking about?" Emma questioned.
"This is Mrs. Larson...her daughter Paige is in the same grade as my Henry and I have brought some very startling facts to her attention," Regina stated.
"And what facts are those?" Emma asked. The timid woman looked up at her.
"I think someone is watching my little Paige...that shouldn't be," Amy said.
"Watching her?" Emma asked.
"Yes...he's been spotted on several occasions near the Elementary school during recess. These photos were taken and he is very clearly focused in on little Paige. It's quite concerning," Regina replied, as she dropped a file onto the desk and pictures of Jefferson at the school spilled out. Emma sighed, while David closed his eyes. It didn't take a lot to know exactly where this was going.
"I want a restraining order filed against Jefferson immediately," Regina snapped.
"Cool your jets, Mayorzilla...first of all, this is circumstantial at best and hardly a mountain of evidence," Emma retorted.
"I know Jefferson personally and I can assure you he doesn't mean any child harm," David added.
"You're not needed in this conversation, Deputy," Regina said dismissively.
"I'm concerned for my daughter, Sheriff and I'm in agreement with the Mayor. I don't want this strange man watching my little girl," Amy replied, causing Regina to smirk smugly.
"I trust you'll follow Mrs. Larson's wishes and file a restraining order immediately?" Regina asked. Emma glared at her.
"Consider it filed," the blonde answered.
"Good...see that it is delivered to him by the end of the day. And if he is caught within five hundred feet of the Elementary School again, I expect him to be arrested without question," the Mayor added.
"We'll do our jobs. It's not our department that seems to have shortcomings. I think we both know that's the justice system in this town...and the mental health system," Emma retorted, as they shared another glare.
"Come along Mrs. Larson, I'll drive you home," Regina said, as the timid woman followed her out.
"Dammit...I warned Jefferson to be careful," Emma complained.
"I know...but he can't help it. He misses his little girl," David replied, as they shared a gaze.
"He's not going to take this well," she mentioned.
"Yeah...I'll tell him and try to calm him down then," he replied, as his phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered and listened to the person on the other end. Emma started to worry when she saw her father clench his jaw and go rigid. His face was soon a mask of anger.
"Is she okay?" he asked in an even tone.
"I'm coming right now," he said next, but then stopped, as the other person kept talking and he sighed.
"All right...fine, I'll wait until the end of the day if she's sure," he relented, as he hung up the phone.
"What now?" Emma asked.
"One of your mother's students was prodded to give her a box at recess. When she opened it, there was a dead bluebird inside and that...monster was standing right there across the street!" he raged.
"Oh God...Mom…" she lamented.
"Tell me that's enough for a restraining order against him!" David exclaimed.
"He'll deny that he had anything to do with it, but I don't care. We're delivering one to him anyway. I'll fight Regina and anyone else that disputes it," she growled.
Regina's heels clicked along on the pavement, as she approached the Rabbit Hole. She was feeling quite pleased with herself, as she would soon have Jefferson exactly where she wanted him. Now, it was time to tempt a certain barfly to leave Gold in the dust and she knew exactly how to do it.
The Rabbit Hole was definitely not her usual scene, but if this worked, then being seen here would be worth it. Upon entering, she spotted Lacey immediately, as she finished off another drink. She smirked and approached her, pleased that most of the other riffraff that surrounded her at the pool table made themselves scarce in her presence.
"Good afternoon Lacey," Regina greeted. The brunette looked up skeptically and raised an eyebrow.
"Madam Mayor," she greeted, as she made her shot.
"I was hoping we could have a word," Regina requested, as Lacey moved to the side of the table to make another shot.
"No one is stopping you from talking," she replied.
"Right...you seem like you're a bit bored with this town," Regina mentioned. Lacey scoffed.
"Who isn't?" she sniped.
"It just makes me wonder why you've stuck around this place. You know, I remember before your father had you committed, you were going to blow this place and see the world, one bar at a time. Whatever happened to that?" Regina asked curiously. She snorted.
"I'm not dripping in money, like you, Madam Mayor," Lacey replied.
"Of course...you see, that's why I actually came today. I have this for you. It's from your father. He knows you don't want to see him, but he wants you to be happy and make your dreams come true; what every daddy wants for their little girl, really," Regina said, as she handed her a check. It was made out to look like Moe had written it, but it was Regina's money. With the curse weakening, she knew Lacey might actually make it over the town line at this point. If she did, she would never remember her life as Belle. And Regina would enjoy twisting that particular knife in Rumpelstiltskin. The barfly's mouth dropped open.
"Whoa...this is a fortune!" she cried.
"I guess your father has been saving his pennies," she commented.
"Though...I suppose Mr. Gold will be quite sad to see you go," she added.
"Who cares? It's not like I was serious about him!" Lacey exclaimed. Regina smirked deviously.
"Exactly! Now go on...go home and pack. It's time for you see the world and find Lacey's happy ending," the former Queen said.
"No offense, Madam Mayor, but I'm dropping this town like a bad habit," Lacey agreed, as she hurried out. Regina smirked victoriously. Everything was happening exactly as she wanted it to.
Flashback
Seven Months Before the Dark Curse
Hades, Ares, and Phobos arrived at their destination after a fairly lengthy journey. Even as Gods, the trip to this particular place had to be made by horseback.
"I do not enjoy the mortal way of traveling," Ares complained, as they dismounted the horses and approached the sacred and mysterious place known as the vault of the Dark One.
"How does this work? Ares asked.
"Pour the ashes on the vault seal," Hades instructed, as he magicked a three tiered candle to shed light on the dark and desolate place. Ares did as instructed and spread Deimos' ashes on the seal.
"There can't be more than one Dark One at a time. How do you know this will work?" he questioned his brother.
"We are not creating another Dark One. The ritual works for anyone wishing to bring someone back from the dead, as long as the price is paid," Hades responded.
"A life for a life," Phobos stated and his Uncle gave him a curt nod, as he came to stand behind his nephew.
"We still don't have a sacrifice. Don't we need a mortal for the ritual?" he asked.
"If we were only reviving him to be mortal...but Deimos is a God. In order to restore him and his immortality, we must sacrifice...another immortal," Hades informed. Before either Ares or Phobos could realize his implication, the God of the Dead shoved his nephew onto the metal plate in the ground.
"Hades...what are you doing?!" Ares cried, as he held Phobos there and the other God cried out in agony, as his body was marked by the seal. Ares watched in horror as his son was tossed away, his flesh burning and intensifying as an inky blackness consumed Deimos' ashes and began to rise in a mass of convulsing black matter.
"Father...help me!" Phobos cried desperately, as more and more of his body burned away as the mass began to take on the form of a man. With a final screech of pain, betrayal, and desperation from Phobos, he was incinerated to ash and taking his place was now a revived Deimos.
The deplorable God of Terror looked at his hands in amazement and then an evil smirk marred his newly restored face.
"You...you killed my son!" Ares cried.
"You knew there was a price to revive your other son...the useful son and not that sorry excuse we just rid ourselves of," Hades spat.
"So you killed one of my sons to revive the other? So he can do your bidding?" Ares cried.
"Yet you did nothing while Phobos writhed in pain. You've become so weak, Ares. No wonder there is no war anymore in this land. Phobos was even more pathetic than you are," Hades quipped.
"He's right father...it's time these mortals knew true terror and pain again. It's time they are put back in their place and after I dispatch Snow White's meddlesome friends and her husband, they will learn that place with her by my side as my Queen, in chains if that's what it takes," Deimos hissed.
"You'll do no such thing...at least, not yet," Hades admonished.
"What?" Deimos growled and the God of the Dead held up a hand.
"They must think you are still dead for the time being, for there is a curse coming and it will provide a much better opportunity for revenge against Persephone's daughter," he explained.
"A curse?" Deimos questioned.
"Yes...the Queen will be casting a terrible curse that will take the Kingdom to a Land Without Magic. She is doing so to punish Snow White and destroy her happiness," Hades said.
"But...in a Land Without Magic, I will have no power!" Deimos protested.
"Not in the traditional sense, but someone like you will be very well off and important in this land. And no one, save for the Queen, will have any memory of who they really are," Hades continued.
"But if I don't know who I am…" Deimos started to protest again.
"Relax...you may be unaware of your immortal roots, but you'll still be yourself deep down. And Snow White will be reduced to a timid, meek woman that will be easy prey, especially without her husband around to make trouble for you or her friends defending her," Hades responded.
"I still don't see why all that is necessary! I can have her now! There is no blood moon to stop me until next autumn!" he argued.
"It is necessary...because I said it is!" Hades shouted, as his hair exploded in blue flames, making Deimos cower back before the powerful God of the Underworld.
"You will do as I say and someday, there will be magic there. The rules are very different in this Land Without Magic. You will be my way in, so to speak. You'll do as I command and then I'll let you do whatever you wish with Snow White," he promised.
"Of course, My Lord," Deimos answered obediently.
"Excellent...remember, no one can know you're alive and you must be in the Kingdom when the curse is cast," Hades instructed.
"I will do as you command, My Lord and then chaos will reign," Deimos replied. Hades smirked at that word. Oh, chaos would reign. When the curse was finally broken, he would finally be able to offer Zelena what her heart desired most; revenge against her sister. And then...then she would see they belonged together.
"Yes...chaos will befall all who oppose me, including Zeus," he said, as he looked to Ares.
"I would choose sides wisely, brother," he warned, leaving Ares torn.
Everything on Jefferson's table went scattering to the floor, as he angrily upset it. His temper and unstable nature had finally reached a boiling point. David tried to keep him from a further tirade, but the Hatter shrugged him off.
"It's not fair...she's my daughter! Not that woman's!" Jefferson ranted.
"I know...I know...none of this is fair," David responded.
"It's easy for you to say! At least your daughter knows you! She doesn't look at you like you're some stranger!" Jefferson shouted. The Prince sighed, knowing he was right.
"We're going to fight her...Regina is pulling out all the stops now. You have to know that means she's scared," Emma reminded.
"No...what I know is that she always wins! And we keep losing!" Jefferson yelled.
"Not for long...it will happen. The curse will break," David insisted.
"You keep saying that! But are we really any closer than we were four months ago?" Jefferson muttered.
"Of course we are. There is a battle coming...I can feel it. This is all just building to a confrontation with Regina and she knows she probably can't undo the damage we've done to her curse now. It's only a matter of time," David replied.
"I'm tired of waiting! I want my daughter!" he snapped.
"And you'll get her back! I want my mother too and I'm not stopping until we get her back!" Emma snapped back. Jefferson shrunk back slightly, as he glared at the piece of paper in her hand.
"We have to issue this to satisfy Regina for now," Emma said.
"She's not done...she won't stop here," he warned.
"We know...and we'll be ready to fight her every step of the way. She won't get away with this for long," David assured. Jefferson wanted to believe that, but the more he thought about it, the more tempted he was to beg Emma to get his hat to work.
"What if I have a way we could escape her?" he blurted out.
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"My hat...it can open portals. We could take Henry, Grace, and Mary...all of us and just escape!" he pleaded. David and Emma exchanged a glance.
"Without their memories, Grace and Mary wouldn't understand what we're trying to do," David reminded.
"Oh please...Mary would follow you anywhere! And back in our land, one true love's kiss and she'd remember everything! And Grace...maybe the same could work with her," he said.
"But there's no magic here...how do you plan to get the hat to work?" Emma asked.
"You're the Savior...you have the magic it takes. Please Emma…" he begged.
"You know that running isn't the answer. Believe, it's really tempting, but we'd never truly be free. Regina and Damon are bad enough, but back there we'd have Cora and possibly Hades to deal with. It's too dangerous and I know my wife. She'd never leave our people at Regina's mercy," David implored.
"Oh please! These people don't give a damn about you! They lied to you about the wardrobe! Why the hell would you still protect them?!" Jefferson shouted, as David tried to calm him down.
"Because it's the right thing to do...and you know it," the prince said.
"He's right...but we need to go. We have another restraining order to deliver," Emma said, as they started toward the door.
"If you think Damon's going to stop stalking Mary, because of some dumb piece of paper, you're idiots," Jefferson grumbled.
"We know he won't...but we're still going to give the warning anyway. Are you going to be okay?" David asked.
"I'll be fine," he muttered. At least he still had his telescope. They hadn't taken that away...yet. He watched them leave and then shut his door. And once he was alone, his tirade began, as he threw and tossed any object within reach…
Mary watched her students file out for the day and forced an encouraging smile for Henry. The boy had been worried about her all day since the commotion at recess. She was tired of this man making her feel this way. It wasn't right, especially since his threats weren't just at her, but at David too. She sighed and packed up her things for the day. Walking out of the school and toward her car, she checked her messages and found one from her husband.
"Hey...I heard what happened. Stephanie called me and I was going to come right away, but she insisted that you were okay. I know you are...because you're strong, but I still wanted to be there for you," his message said and she smiled at his concern.
"I'm not going to let him keep doing this to you. It might not do much good, but Em and I are going to deliver a restraining order to him in person today. I don't know how yet, but I am going to stop him and find a way to lock him up permanently," his message continued. That worried her a little. She didn't like the thought of people she loved confronting this monster, especially on his own territory.
"But I don't want you to worry. I won't be long and then I'll see you at home. I love you so much," he said, as his message ended and she hung up her phone, as she reached her car. Her heart dropped into her stomach though when she reached the station wagon and saw a bouquet of black roses laying on her hood. Tears threatened to fall and her heart pounded in her head. She picked up the roses, intending to toss them to the ground, but cried out, as inevitably, her finger was sliced by a thorn. She dropped the disturbing flora to the ground, as blood dripped onto the hood of her car and onto a note left for her. And the words on the piece of paper made her blood run cold.
Here lies David Nolan
She read the words and almost felt like she was hyperventilating. The note was clear though. Her husband was going to confront Damon Tromera today and this monster had made his intentions clear. He was going to kill David. She let the paper fall to the ground and jumped into her car, before peeling out of the parking lot. Stephanie waved to her, trying to get her to stop, but could only watch, as Mary sped off at dangerous speeds. She ran to where the black roses had been discarded and picked up the note. Her blood too ran cold at the words on the paper.
"Oh Gods...Athena protect them…" she uttered, as she hurried on foot, intending to follow her daughter. She only hoped she didn't arrive too late…