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.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr.
For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Baratta Jennifer: Yes, so much trouble. It was a shocking chapter, but I have to say, I think you'll find this chapter even more jaw dropping. :)
Theinferno1536: Well...it's complicated. Circe is head of the Home Office, because I feel in canon that this story line was kind of dropped. I thought they were going a different place with it and then all the sudden Pan is really the home office. Pan will still appear eventually, just not exactly in the same way he did in the show. And yes, he's still Rumple's dad.
Saberius Prime: Yep, I do love my song titles for chapters when they work. Yep, Hook is not making good choices, but then no one really expected him to at this stage. Glad you're enjoying!
Naomi Blue: Yeah, Neal is being an idiot. Pan will be in the story, I'm just doing something different. I felt the Home Office story line was dropped and I thought Pan being the Home Office was kind of lame. I will be working in Pan eventually, just in a bit of a different way. :)
Number Ten: Yeah, it's very much like a cult. That's about right. Yes, Pan is probably involved, to what extent, we shall see. Glad you like the song title. I do love my song titles when they work. :)
Grace5231973: Lol! I'll have to check out the Captain Floor tumblr page. That sounds hilarious. Yeah, there was no way Neal was going to take it well and he gets another rude awakening in this chapter that makes him realize he owes his father an apology. Me too, team Swanfire. I wasn't invested in Gremma either. I think I would have been okay with it, but it was meh. :)
beth1980: I agree, I'd like a Jefferson in my life, lol. But then I'd like a Charming too and neither is going to happen, haha. You're right, Rumple did show a lot of courage in telling Neal since he knew initially his son would likely reject him. But he did what was best for him, which really shows growth on Rumple's part. That's what I was going for anyway. I know, who taser's a dwarf? I mean, Leroy maybe. I agree, automatic jail if you do it to Dopey. Yeah, Whale delivering baby Snowflake in any circumstance is creepy. And I wanted to bring Artemis in so I thought she was perfect for the job. Yep, Henry is such a sneaky kid. Yeah, Neal and Rumple's talk was a blow out, but then we all expected it to be. Neal is going to have to eat some crow. I liked the scene where Emma and Neal were yelling at each other. They're totally a couple already. Glad you liked the inclusion of Mushu. He is a fun character. :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 68: Betrayal and Revenge
Zelena burst into Hades' house that morning with a pleased smirk on her face.
"I guess knocking is overrated," he commented, as he enjoyed a cup of coffee.
"You know...it's things like this that mortals take for granted. Good coffee...the coffee in the Underworld is sucks. So does the food and the booze...no matter what magic you try to work on it. There's just nothing like the real stuff in the land of the living," he said. She rolled her eyes.
"So glad you're enjoying the Land Without Magic and all its comforts. But prepare for it to get even better," she said. He looked to her.
"I'm guessing you have news," he prompted.
"It's happened...Snow White is with child," she announced. He chuckled.
"I know," he replied. She frowned.
"What do you mean...you know? I just found out myself and that was tricky at best with your wife around. Don't tell me she's made a birth announcement to you of all people?" Zelena asked. He chuckled.
"Don't be silly...but the arrival of Artemis kind of tipped me off," he replied.
"Artemis?" Zelena questioned.
"Yes...Persephone's dear sister. Goddess of the hunt, childbirth, among other things. Also an actual Doctor and since my wife is not fond at all of Dr. Frankenstein or his work, it only makes sense that she summoned Artemis," he surmised.
"Whatever...this means it's time to put our plan into action," she said.
"I think you're a bit premature...she's not even showing yet," Hades replied.
"Which means we have ample time to prepare everything," Zelena said.
"And I told you that I'm a silent partner on this," he reminded.
"Relax...she'll never know of your support and like I said, you can play the hero with her by pretending to denounce me," she said.
"Fine...but I encourage you not to reveal yourself yet. It's still too early," he warned.
"But my sister is at her lowest point...it's the perfect time. She has finally exhausted even her step-daughter's patience. No one will lift a finger to help her," Zelena responded.
"I wouldn't be so sure…" he warned. The redhead scoffed.
"There is no way Snow White can still be holding out hope that my sister will become good. Not even she is that hopeful...no one is that good, even that ridiculously named Princess," Zelena refuted. He chuckled.
"I think you'll be surprised when she shows you otherwise," he retorted. She sighed.
"How much longer do you expect me to wait?" she asked.
"At least until she's showing. Revealing your hand too early also gives them time to plan. I warn you not to underestimate my wife. She will do anything to protect Snow and her family...and especially her unborn grandchild. One step over that town line and Snow White is in a place with no magic and modern medicine," he reminded. She smirked.
"Fine...I'll bide my time for now. But when the times comes, I may have to do something about that town line," she said, as she disappeared in a puff of green smoke. He went back to sipping his coffee and waved his hand, magicking a crystal globe into existence. He seethed at the person sitting on his Throne now and clenched his teeth, causing the coffee mug in his hand to shatter. His hair flashed blue and his grip on the table left indentations.
"This won't stand...I will not be usurped. You are just lucky that I have an eye on a new Throne now," he hissed, as the image disappeared and he magicked the crystal globe away again, before attempting to calm his temper.
"Thanks Snow," Happy said, as she handed him a glass of water and he sipped at it.
"So…he came in here to report a crime?" David asked, as he crossed his arms over his chest, while looking at the piece of paper.
"That's what he said. I started getting nervous though when he said the crime happened twenty-eight years and six months ago," Happy answered.
"That would have been right around the day the curse brought us all here," Snow realized.
"I never thought about it before, but the curse did just drop a town in the middle of the woods," Happy stated.
"And if anyone had been within range, they could have suddenly been introduced to Storybrooke in a rude way," Snow mentioned.
"But I thought the town always had a barrier around it. Even if they were in the woods, they shouldn't have been able to get in, right?" Happy asked.
"Or maybe Storybrooke has a barrier, because of this man and his father. It would make sense as to why there's no barrier now," David surmised.
"So Regina took care of the problem and then shielded the town," Snow said, as a knot settled in her stomach.
"It's hard to say what she did to this man's father...we don't know that she killed him. She does like to lock people up," David tried to soothe.
"She also likes to kill people. She orphaned another child, David," Snow said angrily.
"I'm so stupid...she just never stops and I just keep believing there is hope for her," she spat. But he knelt before her.
"You are not stupid...hope is never wrong," he assured.
"Cora created the monster that Regina is, but it's looking like Regina created the monster that this Greg Mendell has become. The cycle just keeps repeating and it's up to me to end it. I started this," Snow said.
"My love...you are not responsible for what Regina became. You just said it was Cora and that is true. It's not all on you to fix this," he replied.
"But it is! Because I halted her execution and let all this happen," she lamented.
"Snow…" he tried to protest, as Emma hurried into the station with Neal and Henry.
"We got here as soon as we could," Emma said, as he handed her the pad of paper with Greg Mendell's message.
"Storybrooke ruined my life when it appeared and now I'm going to ruin it, starting with your Queen," Emma read the note.
"How did Storybrooke ruin his life?" Emma asked.
"From what Happy could gather, he came in here reporting a crime that happened twenty-eight years ago. He and his father somehow were around in this area when the town got dropped on them. We don't know the rest of the details, but obviously this Greg Mendell escaped. But his father didn't. Now he's back to find him and get revenge," David explained.
"You mean escaped Regina?" Emma asked. He nodded.
"We think so…" he confirmed.
"It's my fault...another child was orphaned, because of me," Snow said.
"Mom...listen to me. If this is anyone's fault, it's Regina's. The choices you made were out of compassion and I've learned from you that hope and compassion can never be wrong. You gave Regina a chance, more than once, to give up her revenge," Emma said.
"And she has killed people in return. There is a point that I have to take responsibility for her actions too," Snow refuted.
"No...she made her choices and I won't let you blame yourself for her evil, my darling," David protested.
"And we have way bigger problems than who to place blame on," Jefferson interjected, as he arrived with Gold, Belle, and Persephone in tow.
"Did you see something?" David asked.
"Yeah...your wayward pirate made his way into the library with Regina," Jefferson reported.
"But the cameras show Greg Mendell is the one that released him. Why would he work with Regina if she's the reason he lost his father?" Snow questioned.
"Because I think it's Hook that's working with them and I think they played Regina," Jefferson responded.
"After Hook and Regina went in, so did Greg and he wasn't alone," the Hatter said, as he glanced at Neal.
"Don't tell me…" he said.
"I'm sorry, but Tamara was with him and when they all came out, it was Regina as their captive with a bag over her head this time. I tried to keep an eye on them, but they must be aware that they might be being watched, because I lost them after that," he reported.
"They took my Mom?" Henry asked worriedly.
"We'll find her, Henry," Emma promised.
"How did they manage to overpower her though? She has magic," Belle wondered.
"That's a really good question and worrisome if they really do have a way to counter magic," Persephone said, as she and Gold shared an uncomfortable look.
"We'll have to deal with that when the time comes. For now, we need to find them," David suggested. Persephone offered a locator potion to him and he nodded.
"Thanks...now we just need something that belonged to Regina," he said. With a poof of red smoke, Gold materialized a scarf and handed it to him.
"Thanks," he said again, as they used the potion.
"Are you okay?" Emma questioned to Neal.
"Yeah...I think I'll have to get back to you on that," he commented, as he was still reeling from everything. Despite it all, he was still trying to hold out hope that this was all a big misunderstanding and Tamara hadn't betrayed him.
"Let's follow the trail," Emma said.
"I'm coming with you both," Snow said and David didn't bother to argue, as he took her hand. Truthfully, he didn't really want her out of his sight.
"Me too…" Neal added. Emma gave him a look.
"You sure that's a good idea? I need people out there with me that I know have my back...and my parents' backs," she said. He sighed.
"Emma...if she really is involved, then I deserve answers. I know I've betrayed you once before, but I think you know I'd never do anything to put our son in danger," he replied. Emma couldn't argue with that and nodded.
"We'll watch Henry," Belle offered.
"I'm going to go pay a visit to Hades. I'd like to know if he knows anything," Persephone stated.
"Do you think he'll actually tell you if does?" Rumple questioned.
"Not likely, but he has been acting very strange lately. I just have a feeling that there is still more going on here than we know," she replied, as she disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke.
"We better get going," Emma said, as they started following the scarf that they had enchanted with the locator potion.
"Did she have anything on her?" Greg asked. They had arrived at the Storybrooke cannery and were currently using one of the upper rooms as a base, among other things. In the background of the room, Regina was strapped down to a table and there was some strange equipment in the room that obviously didn't belong in a place like a cannery.
"Oh did she," Tamara said, as she had gone through Regina's coat. She pulled out a bean pod and showed it to him.
"Are these what I think they are?" he asked.
"Magic beans. Neal told me all about them. They open portals," she replied.
"I bet he told you a lot, huh?" Greg asked.
"Don't be jealous. As soon as we're done...this," she said, as she pointed to her engagement ring.
"Is coming off," she promised.
"Yeah, well, you can have this one instead," Greg replied, as he revealed a small pouch containing a black diamond.
"What the hell is that?" Tamara asked.
"I don't know...it was in her hand when we bagged her," Greg replied.
"We'll send it back with the rest of the data. I think the Home Office is gonna have a field day with everything we've collected so far," she mentioned.
"I still have one thing to do," Greg said, as he looked at the Queen.
"Make it quick. We'll be getting our instructions soon," Tamara advised.
"Oh, this isn't going to take long," he promised, as he walked back into the room with Regina and Hook, before moving before the large equipment panel.
"Whatever they're offering you...it's not worth it," Regina said to Hook.
"Well, considering they're offering to have me kill Rumpelstiltskin, I'd say it is," Hook countered.
"And you actually trust them? You don't even know who you're working for," Regina warned.
"Hello Regina," Greg greeted.
"Is this part of your mission?" she asked, as she watched him begin connecting the machine's wires to her.
"No...this is personal. See, this is about my father," he replied.
"I already told you...he left town," she told him.
"Yet he never came to find his only son?" he questioned, as he looked at Hook.
"Look...would you mind lending me a hand?" he asked and then chuckled.
"Preferably your good one," he added.
"Sorry mate...gonna have to say no. When you're interested in killing Rumpelstiltskin and not torturing the Queen, find me," Hook responded, as he left.
"Well...guess it's just you and me," Greg said, as he turned the machine on, one switch at a time.
"Is this supposed to frighten me?" Regina asked, eyeing the strange machine.
"Well...it should, you see this is how we deal with your kind. And yes, it's going to be unpleasant. Now, exactly how unpleasant...well, that depends on you. Now...where is my father?" he questioned, as the machine hummed in full activation. Regina was silent though, but with the flip of a switch, her tortured screams rang out.
Regina's scarf floated through town and led them down by the beach, as they trekked after it. Snow and David stayed a little ways back, allowing Neal and Emma to talk.
"Why is it leading us along the beach? What, is she hidden in a sandcastle?" Neal questioned. Emma rolled her eyes.
"Very funny...but usually these locator potions don't fail," she retorted.
"Wow...tough room. You're still pissed at me I take it," he mentioned.
"I'm not pissed at you...but you probably owe your Dad an apology. I know it's hard to imagine she's involved in all this, but that's the breaks. Betrayal sucks, you know?" she asked. He sighed.
"So...that's what this is about. This is about me betraying you. I guess you're not over it," he replied.
"Oh trust me, I'm over it and you," Emma shot back.
"No...I don't think you are. You don't just get over your first love that easily...I know from experience," he retorted, as they stopped and stared at each other.
"Do you really think this is about me or us? Or me trying to break up you and Tamara?" she questioned. He gave her a look.
"Isn't it?" he retorted. She sighed.
"What do you want to hear, Neal? That it killed me that you never came looking for me even once after I was locked up? Especially since now I know that you knew about the curse," she vented.
"Emma…" he started to say.
"That it didn't hurt that you found Tallahassee with someone else?" she asked, as she then noticed that Tamara herself had jogged up to her parents, just a short distance away.
"That conversation looks intense," Snow mentioned.
"And as much as we want to...we need to stay out of it," he reminded.
"I know...I wasn't going to interrupt. I just...I want our baby to be happy," she mentioned. He put his arms around her.
"As happy as we are," she added.
"I know...me too," he agreed.
"I just feel so bad that she's going through all this, while we get to be happy...you know, with the baby on the way," she mentioned.
"Hey...you know that Emma would never begrudge us our happiness," he reminded, as he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and then relished it, as he kissed her lips then. She smiled dreamily, as their lips parted, but then saw something out of her peripheral vision. They were both shocked to see that it was Tamara herself, seemingly jogging along the beach in exercise attire.
"Hey...Emma's parent's right? Didn't think I'd run into you all the way down here," she said, as she stopped for a breather.
"Yes...we were just taking a romantic stroll along the beach," David replied, but she didn't buy it, as she looked over his shoulder.
"Really? With Emma and my fiance?" she asked, as they noticed her presence too now.
"Hey...what are you doing down here? I thought you usually jogged in the woods," he said awkwardly.
"Yeah, I start in the woods, but then I run along the beach. Is that scarf floating?" she asked, looking at the garment that was floating next to Emma.
"Uh yeah...Regina is missing. We're using a locator potion on one of her scarves to lead us to her," Emma said bluntly. She raised an eyebrow.
"Really...so your Dad just lied to me about why you're all here? Like this is some romantic walk along the beach?" she questioned. David smirked.
"Snow and I are a bit unconventional when it comes to romantic escapades," he retorted. Snow smiled at him.
"He's right...we did fall in love when we were fighting for our lives against trolls," she agreed, as she clutched his arm and cuddled into his side.
"Interesting...the movie portrayed it very differently," she said in amusement. Snow smirked back, looking the woman in the eyes.
"Well, the movie is very wrong," she replied, a bit hotly.
"So...that's terrible that, you said it was...Regina that's missing?" Tamara asked, as she pulled her list out of her pocket.
"Oh...she's the Evil Queen?" she asked, uncomfortably.
"Yeah...it's a bit more complicated than that," Neal replied.
"Isn't the Queen the reason you're all here? I mean, why would you care about a woman that supposedly killed thousands and caused the suffering of countless more?" she questioned.
"How do you know that?" Emma asked suspiciously. She rolled her eyes.
"Henry's book...I read it," she revealed.
"Yet you didn't know that my parent's story doesn't even remotely resemble the movie version," Emma countered.
"Well...you have to admit, it was a lot and so many...characters to keep track of," Tamara shot back.
"We're people...not just some characters in a book," David snapped. She smirked.
"Maybe...but that's not how this world sees it," she reminded. It seemed like an innocent comment, but a bad feeling settled in Snow's gut at her words. Was Emma right? Had Tamara really told others about this town? And if so, who were they and what would the ramifications be?
"You know, I think we should get back to searching, my love," David said, which didn't surprise Snow. He had probably already sensed her unease and likely had his own trepidation about this woman now more than ever. But Tamara smirked at them with a glare.
"You two aren't going anywhere," Tamara hissed, as she pulled a gun on them.
"Whoa...Tamara, what the hell?!" he exclaimed, as he started toward her.
"Not another step, Neal...or Snow White gets a bullet in the head," she warned. Emma grabbed him and made him stop, as the woman pointed a gun at her mother.
David stepped in front of Snow, guarding her and the baby with his own body. Snow clutched onto his jacket for dear life, fearing that she really would shoot her husband. Tamara snatched the scarf, canceling the locator potion and Emma glanced at the nearest structure, which turned out to be the cannery building.
"That's it...that's where Regina and your partner are, isn't it?" the blonde questioned.
"You two...start walking or Mommy and Daddy both get lead poisoning," she threatened. Emma glared at her and turned, as she and Neal did as she asked. Snow glowered at her too
"Move along Princess...or that brat you're carrying will be fatherless," she threatened, as she leveled the gun at David. He put his arm around her and cuddled her close, as they followed Emma and Neal, with Tamara behind them, marching them toward the cannery building.
The Underworld
Prince Eli sat in the intriguing office. From what he had learned in his short time since his rebirth, or sorts, was that this town they resided in was known as Underbrooke. And they were the souls with unfinished business. It was a strange place, with even stranger clothing. And he was still getting used to his new position. It was as Mayor of Underbrooke and the power had been graciously bestowed upon him by the Underworld's new King. He had rewarded Eli by helping him to oust Hades from his own throne. From the moment Eli had emerged from the river of lost souls, he had one thing on his mind and that had been revenge.
Long ago, he would have never entertained such a thing. But three decades of torment in the river of pain and suffering had hardened him into someone he didn't recognize at times. Hades had merely laughed at him when he promised to have his revenge against the God of the Underworld for killing him and taking him away from his precious Persephone, whom he was a bit saddened to learn had managed to flee from this place. He had been eager for a reunion with the woman he loved, but to know she had done it join their child in the world of the living consoled him a bit.
Hades had underestimated the lengths he had gone to for revenge though and he was far more clever than the God gave him credit for. The look on Hades face when he faced the new King of the Underworld, a figure that Eli had been responsible for restoring, had been incredibly satisfying. His revenge had continued when the new ruler had taken back control of the vicious Cerberus and chased Hades off his own Throne. Eli had been rewarded for helping his new King richly and delighted in the torment of Hades. He had proceeded to let his revenge consume him and there was still a satisfactory gleam in Eli's eyes when he recalled Hades' tortured screams.
Sadism was definitely a new thing for the prince, but then he was certain no one would blame him, for the torture he inflicted on Hades had only been a tenth of what he himself had experienced in that dreaded river. Eli planned to march Hades to his demise by tossing him into the river, alive and allowing all the souls to literally consume him in a torment that would have been eternal for him. But the former King of the Underworld had managed to escape to the land of the living; something he was certain was impossible. But he was quickly told by his King what had occurred: Hermes had dared to take the blood of Snow White and use it to allow Hades passage into the world of the living. It had enraged Eli that he could not follow, for though he was now whole again, he was still dead. So, he bided his time and assuaged his rage by learning all he could about Persephone and her family...his family. He had also established a stern rule on his new town and as he left his office to stroll among his subjects, he enjoyed their worship. He had never much taken to all the bowing and such in life, but he was quite enjoying it in death after all he had been through.
He made his way through town and nodded to Underbrooke's Sheriff, as he passed by. He had learned that this man was the twin of his little girl's husband, who he was a bit miffed to find out wasn't a real prince at all. He had also been told that his Persephone adored her daughter's husband though, so he let that note of disappointment go.
He then nodded to King Leopold, the man that had raised his daughter. He found him to be a bit insufferable and his adoration of his little girl a bit unsettling for reasons he didn't want to entertain, but the man made a good subordinate.
As he made his way to the catacombs beneath town, he took great satisfaction, as he passed the woman that he had forced to mill flour upon her arrival. He was quickly informed of the torment that this woman had inflicted up on his Persephone and Snow and therefore punished her in return. She glowered at him, as he passed and he smirked smugly, before continuing on.
When he reached the Throne room, the place formerly occupied by Hades, where the five rivers converged, he knelt before the Throne. He was the Mayor, but this man was his King and the reason he would have his revenge.
"Your Majesty…" he greeted. The figure did not acknowledge his presence, but that wasn't unusual. The new King would lead them and his revenge against Hades would be complete…
Persephone arrived at the house that Hades had taken over and stormed inside after bypassing his protections.
"My Queen...to what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked nonchalantly, as she found him in the garden. A garden full of snowdrops.
"What is this?" she questioned.
"Oh...my garden. Do you like it?" he asked.
"I don't know what you're playing at, but if you think planting a yard full of snowdrops is going to get on my good side, you're sadly mistaken," she warned. He chuckled.
"Oh, I know it would take more than that. What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I need to know if you know anything about our outsiders," she replied.
"I don't believe so...you know I've never much concerned myself with mortals, especially ones that long ago stopped believing in anything," Hades answered. Her first instinct was to think he was lying, but in reality, what he said was true. He barely noticed the existence of mortals when they were in the Underworld, unless they were doing something he didn't like. He had only ever taken interest in mortals that could serve a purpose for him and she doubted Greg or Tamara fit that description.
"Why do you ask?" he inquired.
"Regina is missing and I think these outsiders are working with the pirate," she answered.
"Ah, Killian Jones, he is one that has cheated death far too long, if you want my opinion," he commented.
"We can both agree on that, I suppose," she said.
"So...you think these outsiders have kidnapped the Queen?" he questioned, as he poured himself another drink.
"Yes...and we're concerned," she responded. He raised an eyebrow.
"You're concerned or Snow is concerned?" he questioned. She sighed.
"Do not even start lecturing me...Snow is good. She is better than any of us and while her belief in Regina may be naive, I will always support her," Persephone ranted.
"Easy...I wasn't going to criticize. Far from it actually. I meant what I said, you know," he reminded. It was her raising an eyebrow this time.
"If everyone was just a little more like your daughter...well, I don't think it would be a bad thing," he added.
"But you're the most unforgiving person in existence," she reminded. He nodded.
"I was...that is very true. And I've paid for it. Probably not enough...but I have," he replied.
"What does that even mean?!" she questioned in exasperation. He looked as though he actually might tell her for a moment, but his viewing globe swirled at her command, as she wanted to check on her daughter. And she gasped at what she saw.
"I take it this is your outsider…" he mentioned.
"One of them...and she's holding a gun on my family!" she cried, as she disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke. Hades continued to watch the woman march the four toward the cannery. Perhaps it was time for him to get involved. Persephone was never going to believe his words. But his actions might show her that he meant those words...