AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
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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
Special note:
Here are the main face claims I have chosen for the Gods/original characters. See previous chapters for more face claims with the Gods:
Gal Gadot as Persephone
Robert Downey Jr. as Hades
Ernie Hudson as Poseidon
Vincent Irizarry as Deimos
Maggie Smith as Hecate
Ben Affleck as Prince Eli
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. It is very much appreciated and reviews have dropped a bit lately. I love writing this story, but a lot of hard work in my free time goes into getting weekly chapters up, so reviews are really gratifying. :)
Here are individual responses:
Reconzilla117: I know, cliffhangers are the worst, but I can promise that this one will be worth the wait with what happens in this chapter. :)
Grace5231973: Yep, Persephone has found them and you will get your wish with the Swans in a very epic way.
Naomi Blue: Yeah, Hades being locked up is not good. But Persephone had to put Snow first, which he would expect from her. The person who was following them is revealed at the end of this chapter. Yep, they probably did get there in time, but I promise an epic conclusion to this problem. :)
Number Ten: Yep, Persephone followed her gut and I like seeing her and Eli work together too. Yeah, I decided we needed a little cameo from Tiana and Naveen. Yeah, Gold being a prisoner is not something he is used to. Glad to know that I nailed the cult mentality. It is very common for them to prey on these kind of lost people. I did do a bit of research, but mostly I've just watched a lot of Criminal Minds and L&O SVU. And then I borrowed a bit from Manifest too lately with the believers and red x'ers elements in that show. Glad to know I got it right though, so thanks. :)
Theinferno1536: Yep, they are very twisted. I can say that you might get your wish when it comes to the Swans in this chapter. Snow is not very far along yet, but I have a twist where that is concerned and it is eluded to in this chapter.
Beth1980: Glad you like the idea of Snow's ring as a talisman. I thought it was really fitting. I like Neal's inner dialogue too. I really like doing those inner thoughts scenes. Yep, Swanfire date! Though when they find out that their respective parental units went off on a journey outside town together without telling them, I'd say they're in for a lecture from their kids. Glad you like the assessment of how the town might view their most prominent members. As for who got shot, I think I can tell you that you'll be happy with the results of that. No worries on the reminder. I have to make notes sometimes to remind myself. :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 89: It Pours
Snow blinked and her surroundings blurred. The gunshot echoed in her ears and then all sound around her faded away. Any noise sounded like she was suddenly underwater and in a way, she felt that she was. At the sound of that gunshot, she felt like she was drowning with no water. She felt like she couldn't breathe and that her entire world was crumbling beneath her. Because it was. She could no longer see anything right in front of her, for her vision was filled with him. Every memory and every moment they ever shared; the good and the bad. But mostly good, because with them, even the bad was good. Tears continued to slip down her rosy cheeks from her swollen, reddened emerald eyes. David. Her true love. Her husband. Her Prince Charming. Her everything. Her hero. She had always been a formidable fighter in her own right and had at times been her own hero. But she had always been comfortable admitting that she had also needed a hero at times and that title had always belonged to her David. But that gunshot shattered everything and she felt like she was falling into an abyss of endless despair. Had she finally lost him? After so many close calls, was this the final one? Would the hope inside her that she was always able to cling to, because of him, about to die? Without him...she knew her heart was going to die long before she rest of her caught up with it. Her thoughts were filled with him and she ached at the thought of not being with him. Would the next time she saw him be in the afterlife? Would she have to find him there or would he be waiting for her?
She longed to see him before her now, for they didn't deserve this. They had gone through too much for it to end this way. She wanted to see that smile that never failed to make her heart skip a beat. She wanted to hear his voice and see his handsome face. She wanted his arms around her...Gods she could still feel that. His touch always ignited her every nerve on fire, for the passion and love between them was always so tangible, so ever present, so consuming that the thought of going on without him made her feel like she was truly drowning. But it didn't end. She didn't drown. She just was lost, floating in that despair like it was never ending without him. And without him, it would be.
"Poor Princess Snow…" Jessica mocked, as she enjoyed the other woman's tears.
"I think that bullet was probably the one that Kevin put in your husband's pretty head. Or perhaps that was your friend Belle. I do know that Kevin was looking forward to savoring the kill when it came to your Prince," she added, bringing a bit of clarity to Snow's head. She was now seeing again and hearing. And most importantly, there had only been one gunshot. Had Jessica not bothered to notice? It didn't matter though, especially if there was still a chance to save her husband and their friends. Hope blossomed in her again and she felt her heart flutter. He was still alive...she could feel it. But it might not be that way much longer, unless she did something about it.
Snow glared at the woman before her and never had she wanted to rip someone apart more than she did this woman. When Snow could not, Jessica Swan was supposed to have taken care of her baby girl. Instead, she had shown nothing but fear and contempt for Emma. She had continually said she wanted a better child; a less difficult child when in reality she was too obtuse to realize the absolute gift that Emma was. Their daughter was beautiful, unique, and special. Yet these people who had been entrusted with her care had abused her. Then they had the audacity to blame Emma and even them for losing their chance at adopting another child. But the authorities had been absolutely right in their case. They didn't deserve to have any child, let alone Emma, and sure as hell not their unborn baby. No...she would be as damned as Circe's idiot followers presumed she was if she was going to let Jessica Swan lay one finger on her baby. And at the same time, she certainly wasn't going to let her abusive, disgusting pig of a husband hurt her own husband, who was the exact opposite of Kevin in every way.
Snow twisted her tied hands, finding no give in the ropes, but Jessica had made another mistake by not tying the ropes to the chair. Snow lowered her head away from Jessica's gaze and sniffed, feigning that she had again broken down in tears. She hoped Jessica would take the opportunity to further mock her and rub salt in her wounds. And she did.
"Aww...don't worry. Like I said, once you push this brat out...I'll let you join him. I'm sure he'll be waiting in the Underworld for you and for you...it will be like going home, right?" she goaded to her raven haired head. Snow responded by crying out through the gag, this time not in anguish, but rage, as she knocked her head into the other woman's, sending her tumbling backward. Jessica held her now bleeding nose and looked at the Princess in shock, as she got to her feet, despite her hands still being tied.
"Oh, that was a big mistake, Princess," she warned, as advanced again. But Snow kicked her directly in the abdomen, sending her head over heels, before running out of the cabin and into the wooded area around the cabin.
Jessica got up and looked at the open door, her eyes filled with rage of her own, as she grabbed the fireplace poker.
"That's it...maybe it's better that your unborn brat just dies with you. It probably would be as much trouble as you are," she growled, as she followed her out and found that she was no where to be seen.
"If you're so eager to join your husband in the Underworld, then I'm happy to make that happen," she called, as she ventured into the woods that surrounded the cabin.
Persephone put the car in park when they came upon a cabin and the two of them burst inside, finding only a broken chair and signs of a struggle.
"Where could they be?" Eli wondered.
"I'm not sure...but we need to split up and find them. Take David's sword," she said, as she picked it up and handed it to him.
"Be careful," he urged.
"You too," she responded, as they both picked a direction and began their search.
Kevin marched the three of them toward the nearby cliff side that overlooked the ocean.
"Don't worry...I'll make it quick. Except for our illustrious Prince here. I'm going to make sure his is slow and agonizing so I can share all the gory details with Snow White," he said sadistically.
"Don't worry though, I promise her an equally gruesome death once she gives birth to that brat so she can join you in the Underworld," he added.
"You're a bigger idiot than I thought then," David goaded.
"I'm the one holding the gun, so I'd say that makes you the idiot for insulting me," he snapped.
"No...you just threatened to hurt the woman I love and even if I'm dead, that doesn't mean her mother won't make sure you pay for it. She's the Queen of the Underworld. She'll make sure your afterlife is sheer hell," he replied. Kevin growled and grabbed him by the shoulder, before he pulled out what looked like a small nightstick. Until he turned it on and it became alive with purple energy.
"This is a plasma stick...another one of Circe's ingenious inventions," he said, as he jammed it into David's gut, causing the Prince to cry out in agony.
"And it's excruciating...I've seen people beg Circe for death when they get tortured with one of these," he added, as she shoved David against a tree.
"And I'm not going to grant you the sweet release of death until you're begging me for it," he added, as he pulled his gun and turned to Belle and Rumple.
"Oh Gods…" Belle cried, as she and Rumple huddled together as best they could with their tied hands. David rubbed the duct tape against against the rough bark on the tree, desperately trying to weaken it just enough to pull himself free.
"Please...don't do this," Belle pleaded.
"Sorry...with you two, it's nothing personal. But I'm not a monster...so say your goodbyes," he replied.
"You're about to shoot us in cold blood. Trust me...you are a monster and I know monsters," Rumple spat in disgust. He smirked.
"You're right...I guess I am," he replied, as he pointed the gun. David looked at him, pleading with him to stall and Rumple swallowed the lump in his throat.
"You're about to kill the Dark One...dearie. I caution you on this action," he said. Kevin scoffed.
"Really? What? Are you going to come back and haunt me?" he joked.
"Oh no...I'll be waiting in the Underworld for you where there's magic and then I'll make sure you know unspeakable horrors, that is if there is anything left of you after Persephone is done," he goaded back. Kevin snorted derisively.
"I think I'll take my chances," he replied, as he pointed the gun. Belle cried out and buried her face in his shoulder. David ripped through the duct tape and tackled him, bringing his arm up, as he fired, thankfully shooting harmlessly into the sky. The Prince tackled him to the ground and they struggled for control of the gun. Kevin kicked David off him and the gun went flying several feet away when the Prince managed to knock it from his hand. The blonde started crawling toward it, but Kevin tackled him and punches were traded, before Kevin managed to get his hands around David's neck.
"Just for all that...I'm going to make sure I make your precious Snow White suffers before I kill her and I'm going to tell her what it was like watching the life leave your eyes," he growled, as David clawed around the ground for something to hit him with. He managed to put his hand on what felt like a good sized piece of a fallen branch. He growled and hit the man in the head with it. Kevin cried out and held his now bleeding head, as David threw him off. He stumbled away, as the Prince got to his feet and when Kevin looked up again, David beamed him across the face with the branch, breaking and splintering it into pieces. Kevin dropped to the ground, groaning in pain, as they heard footsteps. David scrambled for the gun and pointed it, but sighed in relief when Eli appeared.
"Thanks Gods...are you all all right?" he asked. David nodded, as he still attempted to catch his breath. The sky looked angry and lightning flashed, as it began to sprinkle.
"I need to get back to Snow," David said, as they started back to the cabin.
"She wasn't there when we got there and there looked to be a struggle. Persephone is searching the woods," Eli informed.
"Then that's where I'm going," David said, as he headed off.
"Here…" Eli called, as he handed him his sword.
"Find her...find my daughter," he implored. David nodded, as he took the sword and hurried off.
"The cube must still be back in the cabin. We should go find it," Belle said, as the three of them started back. Kevin groaned in pain, as he pulled himself to his feet and focused on David's retreating form, as he ran into the woods. He grabbed his plasma stick and started after him.
Snow leaned up against a tree and breathed deeply to catch her breath. She rubbed the duct tape against the bark...until she saw a bluebird. It stared at her and she stared back, as she asked him for help. He flapped his wings and flew to her. She felt him pecking at the tape and once it was torn enough by his sharp beak, she pulled her hands free and removed the gag between her teeth.
"Thank you," she said kindly, as she gently pet his head affectionately, before he flew off. She heard footsteps after that and hid behind the tree, slowly peering out and seeing Jessica there looking for her. She took a deep breath and looked around for anything that could be used as a weapon. She noticed the dark clouds in the sky that had suddenly rolled in, which seemed odd, since it had been a clear sky minutes ago.
Snow knelt down and picked up the thickest stick she could find. She heard the cocking of a gun and stilled her breath.
"You might as well come out, Princess...I know you're there," Jessica commanded, as lightning flashed in the darkening sky. Rain began to fall in a sprinkle at first and then the drops grew bigger until they were pelting the earth. Slowly, Snow emerged from behind the tree and surrendered, as she dropped the stick and cried out, as Jessica grabbed her by the hair.
"Start walking and if you make a move I don't like, then I promise you that you really will think you're in hell," she growled. Snow sniffed.
"There is nothing else you can do to me. You've killed my husband and you're going to kill me after you take my baby. What more do you really think you can do to me?" Snow questioned despondent. Jessica pulled on her hair harder and she whimpered in pain.
"Oh, I will get creative, I assure you," she growled, as they heard a twig snap. Jessica turned away to point the gun at whoever may have been encroaching upon them so Snow took her chance. She kneed Jessica in the stomach, picked up the discarded stick and hit her over the head with it. It broke and Snow dropped the pieces, before she tore off running further into the woods. Jessica held her sore abdomen and the now wound on her head with her hands. She pulled a hand away from the back of her head and saw blood there. She growled and got to her feet, before tearing off after the wayward Princess.
"Oh, I'm going to torture you! And I'll enjoy every moment of your agony, you little bitch!" she screamed.
By now, Snow was soaked by the rain, but that didn't deter her from running as fast as she could. She was freezing by now, but refused to stop in order to escape and find Charming. She almost slipped in the mud, but felt someone catch her. To her horror though, she looked up to find it to be Kevin Swan, who now held her arm like a vice. She tried to tear away from him and then choked, as he put his hand around her neck.
"How long do you think it will take for that spawn inside you to die when I cut off your airway?" he questioned and she saw a madness in his eyes.
"You really think I'm above hitting a woman? Maybe it's time you get a taste of what I gave your brat!" he growled and she yelped, as he slapped her face. Snow glared at him punched him in the eye and kneed him in the groin, before tearing away from him. He managed to get his foot out and tripped her though, causing her to fall to the muddy ground.
"That's it...let's see how long your spawn can live through a thousand volts of plasmic energy running through your body," he growled, as he activated the plasma device. Snow crawled away from him, but he advanced and reached down to grab her ankle, pulling her back toward him.
"Time to fry a Princess," he growled and she gasped, as she prepared herself for the pain to come. Until she heard a voice.
"HEY!" David called to get his attention.
"Get the hell away from my wife!" he growled. Kevin smirked deviously.
"Too late Charming. One jolt from this plasma stick to her belly and no more baby snowflake," he goaded, as he grabbed her and hauled her to her feet. He held her there so she was facing David and she struggled against his hold, as he ignited the plasma stick. But she bit his hand and tore away from him again. He angrily raised the plasma stick, intending to hit her bluntly with the object, but David let out a cry as he threw his sword and the sound of steel piercing flesh could be heard, as it went straight through Kevin's chest. He seemed surprised, but probably shouldn't have been, for David had used the same move to slay other monsters before and he was perhaps the most evil monster they had ever encountered. It was a fitting demise if there ever was one, for he sealed his fate the moment he planned to put his hands on Snow and kill their child. He died before his body slumped to the ground and David swept Snow into his arms.
"Charming…" she cried, as he hugged her and spun her around, even as the rain continued to soak them.
"You found me…" she uttered, as he gently caressed her face.
"Did you ever doubt I would?" he rasped in a husky tone, just before their lips crashed together.
"Oh my love...I thought you were dead. I heard that gunshot…" she cried, as he held her flush against him and kissed her desperately again, before burying his face in her neck, relieved that she was okay.
"Let's get you back to the cabin and somewhere dry," he said, as he pulled his sword from Kevin's body. He didn't feel bad or any sympathy for this man. He didn't enjoy killing, but this was the man that had not only abused his daughter as a child, but had thought nothing of hitting his wife and attempting to kill their unborn child. There was no redemption for a man like him and he hadn't hesitated to end him in order to save the woman he loved and their baby.
"What the hell…" Jessica uttered, as she came upon the scene. David immediately pushed her behind him.
"You killed him…" she said angrily.
"He was threatening to kill our baby, so you can save whatever self righteous garbage you're about to spew," David countered. She snorted.
"Funny...I thought you were supposed to be the hero, Prince Charming," she mocked.
"He is the hero...my hero. Your husband was the monster," Snow spat, defending the man she loved.
"Well...too bad you're both about to join him in hell," she retorted, as she cocked the gun.
"Run Snow…" he told her.
"I am not leaving you," she protested stubbornly. He was about to argue with her when a bolt of lightning struck the ground before all of them. David pulled her back and looked at the sky. He had a feeling that was not natural and a sense that they had nothing to fear from the lightning.
"What the hell is this?" Jessica growled.
"It's me…" Persephone answered, as she appeared before them. There was no magic, but somehow they knew this weather was her, for her eyes were practically lit with said lightning.
"Mother…" Snow said in relief.
"Everything is going to be okay, snowdrop. David...take her back to the cabin. Neither of you need to see what's about to happen," she warned.
"No...I'm not leaving you either, mom. She has a gun," Snow warned.
"Yes...and if she wants to live, she will put it down now. I can't control this storm! Not while I fear for yours and David's lives!" Persephone warned.
"Or maybe I could just shoot you!" Jessica hissed, as she pointed it at the Goddess.
"You don't want to do that," Persephone warned.
"Oh, I assure you that I do," Jessica said, as she prepared to fire the weapon, but never got the chance, as a bolt of lightning struck her. David turned and blocked Snow's line of vision, as the sight was gruesome and almost too much for him.
"I warned her…" Persephone cried, as her shoulders racked and she gazed up at the sky.
"I don't know what's happening…" she uttered.
"Mom...we're safe. Everything's okay now," Snow said, as David held her and then put his hand out. Persephone took it and he prodded her toward Snow, as the Goddess hugged her daughter fiercely. Like a light switch, the lightning dissipated and the clouds started to clear. The rain ceased and the sky lightened above them.
"What have I done?" Persephone whispered, as she looked at the charred body of the woman.
"You saved us," David said, assuring that it was as simple as that.
"He's right Mom...they were both evil. They were going to kill us and the baby," Snow added.
"I know...it's just that while I've always had influence with the weather, lightning has never been a part of that and it's never been this intense," she replied, as she tried to take a deep breath. She found herself wishing Hades was there. Somehow, she knew he'd have some insight or at least know what to say.
"We should get back to the cabin, get the cube and get back to Storybrooke," he suggested. Snow nodded and took her mother's hand.
"He's right...and it's okay, mother. They were horrible people," Snow reminded.
"I know...they abused my granddaughter. They were going to kill my entire family. I am not sorry they are gone or for what I did. I'm just confused at how I did it," she said, as they arrived back at the cabin.
"Zeus is dead...the lightning has no Master any longer," Rumple chimed in, as Eli had managed to drag the cube from one of the bedrooms and into the main room of the cabin.
"Snow...thank the Gods you're both okay," Eli said, as he hugged her.
"You came with Mom?" she asked in surprise.
"Of course I did. You're my daughter and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you," he assured. She smiled.
"What do you mean, Rumple?" Belle asked, turning their attention back to the matter at hand.
"I'm not as well versed on these matters as Demeter and the other Gods would be. But if I had to guess...the lightning just chose a new champion," he replied, looking at Persephone.
"That...that's impossible. My place is here in Storybrooke with my family. I don't plan on returning to Olympus," she refuted.
"Nevertheless...and I think your mother will agree. You're the new supreme Goddess and if it chose you over Cronus, then it could change everything," he said.
"But she was already chosen by the other Gods," Snow reminded.
"Which is vastly different than being chosen by the former supreme God's infinite power," Rumple countered. Persephone sighed.
"I didn't ask for this and I don't want it, so Cronus has nothing to fear," she refuted, as she longed for Hades insight at the moment. She knew how big this was and how bad it could be.
"If any of this is true...then maybe taking the magic back to Storybrooke isn't the best move right now," Eli said.
"As much as I hate being without magic...he's right. At least until after the ball and we discover what other motives Cronus may have behind it," Rumple agreed.
"Okay...but I doubt leaving it here is a good idea. So we should still move it," David said.
"What about hiding it below the library?" Snow suggested.
"It's probably the best place to do so. We can put a chain on the elevator shaft so only we can go down there," David agreed. Snow took her mother's hand.
"It's going to be okay, Mom...we'll figure this out," she assured.
"There's more sweetie...I think Hades is missing," she confessed. Snow's brow furrowed.
"Missing?" she asked. She nodded.
"He was supposed to meet me at Granny's earlier and never showed. Your father and I were searching for him before you called, but there's no sign of him. This isn't like him," she replied fearfully.
"Then we'll help you look," Snow assured. David nodded, as he helped Eli load the cube into the trailer the Swans left behind. He and Snow proceeded to drive that truck back to Storybrooke, with the others following in their cars.
Hermes walked into the farmhouse and waited to be acknowledged, as Zelena turned to him.
"Well?" she asked.
"I followed Snow and her Prince all afternoon," he reported.
"And?" she asked.
"After enduring their sickeningly romantic walk through the woods...they got a call and left Storybrooke," he replied. She smirked.
"So they found the magic," she said.
"That's what it sounded like," he replied.
"Then they'll soon be returning. I want to know the minute they do and where they go," she ordered.
"I'm taking a big risk here. If Persephone catches me…" he warned. Zelena rolled her eyes.
"Listen you spineless worm...if you want the respect and station that you have been insisting you deserve, then you'll tell me where that magic is!" she hissed.
"How do I know I will get what I want out of this?" he growled and she gently stroked his face.
"When I turn back time, with or without your help, I can either place you on your own Throne or I can make you one of my flying monkeys. The choice is yours," she offered.
"Fine...I'll let you know the moment they return," he responded, as he made his way out. Zelena smirked and her heels clicked on the stairs, as she moved down into the cellar, and Hades glared at her.
"I see you're finally awake," she mentioned, as he rattled the bars.
"If you think Persephone isn't going to find me, then you don't know her," he warned. Zelena smirked.
"She won't need to find you. Once I absorb the magic from that containment cube with my pendant, I'll control all the magic in this town. Then you'll be my date when we crash the ball tomorrow night...and use the spawn inside Snow White to enact my spell," she revealed.
"The baby isn't born yet...she's still months away from delivering," he reminded. Zelena smirked.
"I know...but I also know that Emma Swan will do anything to protect her parents and gladly sacrifice herself in the baby's place when I tell her she can save them," she replied and then cackled at the horrified look on his face.
"Zelena...this won't turn out the way you think it will. Even if you cast this spell, once it's done, you'll have no control over what happens once you reset time. You don't even know if you'll retain your memories," he countered.
"But I will be raised by Leopold and Cora. And I will be Queen…" she retorted, as she walked toward the stairs.
"But take heart...you'll have the chance to do things differently and be with the woman you love," she replied ominously. But he was still terrified of a world where Zelena was Queen, for it meant that the people he had come to care about and the woman he loved would never be truly safe in that world...