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:
Saberius Prime: It was intense, but believe it or not, this coming chapter is even more intense. I recommend a seat belt, lol. Zelena will likely fail...but not right away. That's all I can say. If there is redemption for her, it's a long way off and you're about to see why. It is very hard to pick a side and if you think I've blurred the lines up to this point...you ain't seen nothin' yet. :)
Grace5231973: I know, way too many villains and I'm about to throw a huge twist that's just going to blur the lines even more, but I think it's going to be an interesting and unique storyline. :)
Number Ten: Yep, chaos is coming, you have no idea. I think it will be a fun storyline to do though. It's definitely going to be a roller coaster ride. Yeah, I won't be sad if Hades makes good on his promise and squishes Hermes like the worm he is. Zelena is very smug and that's about to get worse. :)
Baratta Jennifer: Glad you liked it!
Theinferno1536: It's possible. If Hades can become good, I'd say Phobos has a chance. Time will tell. :)
Guest: Glad you liked Neal and Emma's date. Yeah, Phobos' plan is worrisome. As for magic, things are definitely about to take an interesting twist. :)
Beth1980: Glad you adored the Swanfire date. It's definitely my favorite Emma ship and I don't have a lot of Emma ships I like all that much. I loved Emma and Neal scolding their parents too, it was funny. Nope, no one, not even Circe will miss the Swans. Yep, baby Snowflake is safe and hopefully I'll have a gender reveal soon, but probably after the twist I'm about to throw at you. :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 91: The Reckoning
Emma looked at herself in the mirror with a lot of uncertainty. Despite being born a Princess, she had never worn a full scale ball gown before. She knew that if she had been raised by her parents that she would have worn her first at a very young age and become acclimated to such, because that was the norm in their homeland, especially being the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming.
Had there been no curse, her mother would have been Queen and her father King Consort. And she would have been a Princess. All that was gone now, but on this night, the three of them were getting a piece of that life that was stolen from them back. She glanced at her mother, who she could see in the mirror behind her. Snow was already tearing up, as Emma turned to her.
"You look so beautiful," Snow said, as she sniffed. Emma had chosen a dress in her signature color, fiery red, and Snow had put her hair up in a beautifully intricate french twist.
"Thanks Mom," she said shyly, as she looked back at herself.
"You do too, Mom. Dad's gonna faint," she replied. Snow had chosen her signature color and her gown was a creamy white with a shimmering gold overlay, lace, and embroidery. The sleeves were off the shoulder, complete with a sweetheart neckline.
"Wow…" David uttered, as he and Henry came into the room. He stared at his wife and daughter in awe, as he went to Emma first and gently hugged her, cupping her head.
"Emma...this is everything I've always wanted for you," he confessed. She smiled.
"I know…" she said, as she then picked up her copy of the sonogram photo they had just given her.
"And this is everything I want for you and Mom," she assured. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Emma turned and took both of their hands on hers.
"We may not have been able to be together all the time, but I remember being raised by you in the dreamscape," she said tearfully.
"And that's why I can say that this baby is the luckiest little person in all the realms, just like I am, to have parents like you," she added. That did and they were both teary, as they hugged their daughter between them. Snow laughed and wiped her tears.
"I'm going to ruin my makeup," she mentioned, but David was already looking at her like she was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. This wasn't really new, for she was used to him looking at her this way, but damn if she would ever tire of it or the way he made her feel.
"You are so beautiful…" he uttered. From anyone else, such a simple, yet often cliched statement might sound just that; cliched or insincere. But not when he said it. He took her hands in his own and kissed her tenderly. As he pulled back, it was her turn to do some admiring. He had chosen a deep crimson tunic, trimmed and embroidered with gold threads and accents, with black leather pants and boots.
"You're looking very handsome yourself, my love," she purred, as they kissed again.
"Guys...I love you, but seriously the making out in front of me is not cool," Emma complained. Their lips parted, as they grinned at each other and Persephone walked in.
"Oh...Snow," she uttered, as she approached, wearing a shimmering lavender gown with a straight neckline and very thin straps, complete with elegant jewelry.
"You look beautiful, Mom," Snow complimented.
"So do you and Emma," she replied, as she presented two silver barrettes in which she had put real snow drops on.
"May I?" she asked her granddaughter. Emma shrugged and allowed Persephone to clip them on either side of her head. Then she presented a flower crown made of snowdrops and approached her daughter. Snow smiled and allowed her to place it upon her head.
"You can wear Eva's tiara if you would rather," Persephone told her, but Snow shook her head.
"That tiara will always be special to me and I will always cherish it, but the snowdrops are perfect. They tell everyone that I'm your daughter and I'm proud of that," Snow answered. Persephone teared up and hugged her fiercely.
"I love you so much," she told her.
"And I love you, Mom," Snow replied, as they prepared to leave. They found Eli waiting for them by the cars outside and he took a moment to marvel at them.
"You are all simply stunning," he said.
"You look very nice yourself," Snow replied. He had chosen a dark violet tunic and she was a little surprised that he was not wearing a crown to signify his official station.
"You're not wearing a crown," she mentioned. He smiled.
"I decided that I didn't want to, because I'm not a King and that made me realize how unburdened I felt for the first time in my life," he confessed.
"Tonight, I am going to this ball as your father and it is a far greater honor than any royal title," he added. Snow smiled and hugged him at that.
"Shall we, my darling?" David asked, as he held his elbow out and she hooked her hand on it. He held out the other elbow and smiled, as Emma hooked her hand on his other elbow as well.
"In Hades place, until we find him, will you allow me to escort you?" Eli asked. Persephone smiled and nodded, as they followed.
Zelena peered around the corner, as they hid in the alleyway alongside the library building. Hades was with her and they were both dressed for the ball, however, the thick manacles around his wrists and ankles ensured he was not a willing participant.
"Trusting the worm to do anything right is foolhardy," Hades warned.
"Shut up," she snapped, as Hermes finally caught up to them.
"What took you so long?!" she spat.
"I'm sorry, but snatching one of these things wasn't easy, even from those idiots that follow Circe like blind lambs on the way to slaughter," he mentioned. Hades snorted derisively.
"It's funny that you make that statement, when you're a sheep yourself. You follow whoever you think may possibly gain power and lodge your nose firmly up their…" Hades spat, but she cut him off, before he could finish the insult.
"Enough…" she snapped, as she examined the plasma weapon.
"Perfect...this will do nicely until we get that magical cube," she said, as she tugged Hades along and they marched into the library. Robert and Happy, who were on guard, had no time to even scream, as she fired the weapon at both of them. Happy was tossed into a bookcase and Robert into the wall behind him, effectively rendering them both unconscious.
"Too easy," Zelena commented, as she tugged Hades into the elevator with her and handed the weapon to Hermes.
"Blast anyone that comes in and lower us down," she ordered, as the elevator door closed and slowly began to move.
"This is a mistake, Zelena," Hades warned.
"Stop trying to reason with me...it's not going to work," she replied in boredom.
"I won't stop trying!" he growled.
"Because you don't realize what you're about to do and the dire consequences it could create," he admonished.
"Once you cast this spell, there is no way to determine how different things will be or what might occur. You might retain your memories as the caster of the spell, but you could be cursing yourself into a life worse than the one you have," he explained.
"There is a reason that not even Zeus broke this particular rule and believe me, he broke every other one in the book," he continued. She sighed.
"Your concerns are duly noted, but kindly shut up now," she snapped, as the elevator touched down and she pulled him along, as she lay eyes on the containment cube. With practical giddiness, she pressed the activation button on the device and instead of the magic being released, it was easily sucked into her pendant, as she held it to the cube. It glowed bright green and she put it back on, as she felt the magic flow through her every vein. She grabbed Hades by the arm and brought her face close to his.
"Buckle up...it's time for me to get my happy ending and watch everyone else's burn," she hissed, as they disappeared in a puff of green smoke…
They entered Cronus' palace and saw that he was standing in the receiving area to greet everyone, with Phobos by his side. He seemed very welcoming and eager to prove himself to the town. But Persephone didn't buy it for a second. However, she was ready to play along with his game and do this dance that he was insisting they do. And if he was responsible for something happening to Hades, then she would make him pay the same way she made the Swans pay.
"Ah...Persephone, as always, you are breathtaking, as is your lovely daughter. It is no secret as to why she is referred to as the fairest of them all," Cronus stated, as he bowed deeply to them, but his gesture only made her more suspicious of him.
"Lord Cronus," she greeted coolly.
"I was quite troubled when I heard of your scuffle with those dreadful outsiders, but I am very pleased to see that you are both all right," he said, looking at Snow and Charming.
"We appreciate that," Snow answered diplomatically, as they moved through the atrium and into toward the ballroom.
"That was pretty uncomfortable," David murmured to her.
"Mmm...I'm still confused as to why he is trying to endear himself to us," Snow murmured back.
"Because you two have the favor of the people," Regina answered for them, as she sided up to them in in a black and purple gown that was indicative of her days as the Evil Queen. However, while the color scheme echoed that time, the design of the dress was decidedly softer, indicating to Snow that she really was trying to re-invent her image.
"She's right," Persephone agreed.
"Do you think he knows how the Swans died?" David asked and she knew he wasn't necessarily referring to Kevin, but rather Jessica.
"Oh, I have no doubt. Phobos might as well be like a parrot on his shoulder. He's fluttered around this entire town and beyond, gathering Intel, and then delivering it to his Master. To what end for him...I'm not certain," Persephone replied.
"Grams! Gramps! Moms!" Henry interjected, as he arrived with Neal. Emma smiled at him, as did Regina, as they greeted him with hugs.
"Looking sharp kid," Emma commented. Neal had taken him with him to pick out attire for that evening and Emma was glad that he got to share that with his father, just as she had gotten to share picking out her own gown with her mother.
"Thanks. This is so awesome!" Henry exclaimed, as he was enamored by all the sights and sounds.
"I don't know about that…" Emma deadpanned, making Neal chuckle.
"What? Emma Swan doesn't care for balls?" he asked sarcastically.
"I don't know...it's just that my parents always go on about these things. I guess I just don't quite get it," she replied, just as they entered the ballroom and her words died on her lips, as she witnessed the synchronized dance taking place and couldn't deny how elegant and magnificent it all suddenly seemed.
"You were saying?" he teased.
"Shut up," she responded, nudging him playfully.
"Hi Henry!" Grace said, as she hurried up to him in her dress with Jefferson and Amy following. They approached with Belle and Rumple, who was surprisingly not dressed in black and rather in a blue formal coat that was something like a Prince would wear, while Belle wore a golden dress.
"Whoa...the Dark One can wear a color other than black," Jefferson commented. Gold rolled his eyes.
"I told you I'd get some smart ass remark about this coat," he muttered to Belle, but she only smiled.
"Well, I like it," she said, as they followed Snow and David into the ballroom.
"Wow…" Henry said in awe, as they watched the dancing.
"Well, shall we, my darling?" he asked, as he bowed to her and held out his hand. Snow grinned and accepted, as they moved onto the dance floor and proceeded to join the waltz.
"Are you and Dad going to dance too?" Henry asked to Emma.
"You're as bad as your Grandma Snow and Grandpa Gold when it comes to the matchmaking, kid," she responded.
"Oh come on...let's do it," Neal prodded, as he held his hand out to her. But she was apprehensive.
"I don't know how to dance like that," she whispered in protested. He chuckled.
"But I do...relax and just let me lead," he replied, as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor, as they began to dance. She saw her parents grinning at them out of the corner of her eye and then him grinning indulgently at her. She rolled her eyes.
"Okay fine...this is pretty cool," she admitted. Henry beamed at his parents and then looked up at his other Mom.
"I'm glad you're here too, Mom," he said. Regina smiled.
"Me too, Henry," she agreed.
"It's been a long time since we've danced like this," Snow mentioned and he smiled.
"It has...and it's nice to do this again. But if I'm honest, I think I enjoy our casual gatherings at Granny's a bit more," he admitted. She bit her bottom lip.
"You read my mind," she agreed and he pressed his forehead to hers.
"That's good...cause soon there's gonna be a baby and we're gonna be one of those boring couples that stays home every night," he teased.
"Oh, but we will never be boring, my love. And I will relish spending all my evenings curled up in your arms on the couch with our baby," she replied, as he smiled and kissed her passionately.
"Yes...a baby. I haven't had the opportunity to congratulate you, fair Snow," a very unwelcome voice said. Their lips parted and David held her protectively, as Deimos held them in his steely gaze.
"You...stay away from us," Snow hissed.
"Oh, you need not fear me, Princess. All that nastiness is behind us, I assure you," he leered.
"Like hell is it," David growled, but he only smirked smugly.
"I was hoping you'd allow me to cut in and honor me with a dance," he stated.
"Never...just being in your presence makes me want to retch, so you can imagine how sick I'd be if you actually touched me," Snow spat in disgust.
"Yet you let this peasant put his hands all over you. You are a Goddess...and he is…" Deimos started to spout, but she cut him off.
"My husband. He is my husband, my true love and the only man I will ever want. He is everything you are not," she countered with vehemence.
"Step the hell away from my daughter and son-in-law," Persephone growled, as she came to stand before them.
"Good evening Persephone...it's interesting to see you alone. Where is your other half?" Deimos goaded. She narrowed her gaze, wondering if he was involved. Hades had righted a wrong by sending Deimos to the Underworld, only for Cronus to later revive him. But Deimos was as bloodthirsty as they came and it made sense that he might seek revenge.
"What do you know about Hades' whereabouts?" she asked. But he ignored her question.
"I was simply talking to your lovely daughter and you rudely interrupted me," he answered instead.
"Oh, you're quite done talking to her and if I had my magic right now, you'd be nothing but ash," she warned. But he only chuckled.
"Really? And how is that? You're powerful...but not nearly enough to end me," he boasted.
"Deimos...you will stand down now," Cronus ordered.
"I am tired of being denied what should be mine, My Lord. Surely you understand," Deimos replied defiantly.
"She is not yours, you psychopath," Emma growled.
"Deimos...I will not ask you nicely again. Do not make me have you removed. If Princess Snow does not wish to have anything to do with you, then I forbid you to get anywhere near her," Cronus said. Persephone looked at him with a suspicious gaze.
"Your threats might carry more weight if you had an ounce of magic behind them...but you don't and I am by far the strongest man in this room...easily," he surmised.
"Deimos...I know you are a bit thick, but to disobey our King is utterly stupid, even for you," Phobos interjected, as he approached and tried to pull his brother away. But that was a mistake, as Deimos wrapped a hand around his brother's neck and began to choke him.
"You died once for me...and I can easily see that you die again by my hand, dear brother," he growled, as all around him gasped in horror. But he suddenly dropped Phobos, as a thousand volts of plasma coursed through his body. Phobos gasped for air and stood up, brandishing one of Circe's plasma weapons in his hand, as his brother now quivered like a fish out of water on the floor.
"You may be strong, but you have no brains. When I saw this weapon being used by Circe's simpletons and magic disappeared, I swiped one, because I knew it would be the only way to keep you in line without magic," he stated, as he turned and bowed to Snow and David, which surprised them.
"I know you are mistrustful of Lord Cronus, Your Majesties, but know that you are under his protection now," Phobos stated.
"Why would he protect my parents?" Emma asked her grandmother.
"I'm not sure. Phobos has never been evil...but it is odd," Persephone replied, as equally suspicious as her granddaughter.
"Guards...please escort Deimos to a cell in the dungeon," Cronus ordered, as he was taken away, allowing the festivities of the ball to resume.
"Why defend us?" David asked bluntly and skeptically. Phobos offered a thin smile.
"I may be the God of Fear, but I do not abuse my station as my brother does. Deimos is a parasite and I intend to protect people from him this time around," Phobos offered. They accepted his answer for now and cautiously returned to dancing, as Snow blew out a breath.
"Are you okay?" David asked. She nodded.
"I can take you home if you want," he added. But she shook her head.
"No...let's not let that evil monster spoil our evening," she replied. Little could they know though, things were about to go from bad to worse. After another dance, Cronus took to the stage to address the town.
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for coming this evening and I hope it has been as enjoyable for you as it has for me," he stated.
"I think we can agree that we must work together in facing those that are here to threaten our way of life. I know many of you think that I myself am a threat and came here to take over the town," he continued.
"But I threw this ball tonight to assure everyone that this is not the case. I seek only a peaceful life and I defer to this town's leaders, our fair and lovely Mayor, Snow White, her beautiful and strong daughter, our Sheriff, Emma Swan, and our Mayor's courageous husband and our deputy, Prince David," he added.
"I am confident in their leadership and that of the new leader chosen to lead the Gods...our dear Persephone. And in protecting this town against Circe and her outsiders, I offer my help in seeing that she does not further disrupt our lives," he finished to applause, just as the ballroom doors slammed open.
"Except Circe is about to be the least of your worries," the redheaded woman stated. Snow narrowed her eyes and she vaguely recognized this woman as someone she had exchanged pleasantries with once at the diner. But she had Hades with her, whom she had in chains, as she pulled him along and glided into the room. Her pendant glowed and the guards that rushed her were picked up and tossed away.
"She has magic…" David uttered.
"Zelena…" Persephone uttered.
"Mother...you know her?" Snow asked.
"I know of her...she is Zelena. The Wicked Witch of the West from Oz," Persephone replied. Emma looked at her incredulously.
"Seriously? She's real too?" she asked and Neal side-eyed her. She sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, Everything's real," she answered for herself.
"Hades…" Persephone uttered, as she started toward them, but Zelena waved her hand, freezing her in place.
"I'm sorry...I was going to tell you she was here and expose her. She decided she had other plans," he apologized.
"How did she get here?" Persephone asked.
"Ruby Slippers...and she's going to cast the spell," Hades responded.
"What spell?" Regina asked.
"Oh, I'm so glad you asked that...sis," Zelena replied, causing shock and gasps to reverberate throughout the room.
"Sis? You're not my sister...I have no sister," Regina refuted.
"Wrong again...I'm the child that Cora conceived from a one night dalliance with some insignificant peon and then dumped in the woods. Had a twister not picked me up and carried me to Oz...then I'd probably have died there in the woods," Zelena revealed.
"You are the child Cora was pregnant with when she met me?" Leopold interjected, as he stepped forth. Zelena smirked.
"Yes...until Eva opened her big mouth and ruined everything," the redhead growled.
"But thankfully, all of that is about to change," she said, as she raised her hand. Panic and screams ensued, as the floor cracked and she created the pillars she needed for her spell.
"What is she talking about?" David asked.
"Time travel...she wants to go back," Hades answered.
"That's impossible...it defies the laws of magic and she knows it," Rumple hissed.
"Hello Rumple...so good to see you again," Zelena purred.
"You know her?" Regina asked incredulously.
"You knew about her?!" Regina roared.
"I never expected her to escape Oz, dearie. She always had vast potential, but she's insane," he answered. Belle gasped, as she suddenly appeared just before them.
"You know as well as I do that, with the right ingredients, that what I want to do is possible," she replied. Rumple gently prodded Belle toward his son for safety.
"In theory...but we both it won't yield the results you want," he warned.
"We'll see," she hissed, as her pendant glowed and he was stricken still, as she used her magic to extract the energy from his mind that she needed for her first talisman. Rumple shuddered and convulsed as she did so.
"Rumple!" Belle cried, as Neal held her back and they were all stunned when a golden brain appeared in Zelena's hand. She smirked gleefully, as she placed it on the first pillar.
"A brain…" she stated, as she glided around the room, until she came face to face with her younger sister. The two women stared at each other, both marveling at their similarities, despite only being half siblings. But Regina gasped in pain, as Zelena's hand went into her chest and ripped her heart out.
"A lot of people in the room might say this is karma for you," Zelena commented, as she placed the heart on the second pillar.
"A heart…" she stated, as she continued her journey around the room and the moment her eyes rested on Snow, David unsheathed his sword.
"No David!" Hades pleaded, but the Prince didn't head his warning and rushed the witch. Zelena smirked and stopped is blade with her bare hand, thanks to magic. David stared at her in disbelief and she smirked smugly at him.
"So brave...so courageous," she goaded, as she snapped his blade and used her magic to shove him away. He collided with the wall and Snow rushed to his side.
"Charming!" she cried, as Emma followed her to help her father up. They watched, as the witch picked up the hilt of Prince Charming's broken sword and placed it on the third pillar.
"Courage…" she stated, as she returned to the center of the room.
"Now for the final ingredient...a product of true love," she said, striking fear into Snow and David's hearts, as she approached.
"Zelena...the baby isn't even close to term. Your spell won't work the same without their infant," Hades warned.
"If you think you're going to get near my baby sibling...then you have another thing coming," Emma growled, as she stood in front of her parents. But Zelena smirked evilly, sending a cold chill down Snow and David's spines.
"I didn't say I needed the baby...I just need a product from this particular true love," she hissed. David's eyes widened and he reached for his daughter, but she disappeared before he could touch her.
"NO!" he and Snow screamed. Emma reappeared on the final pillar, unable to move, and stared tearfully at her parents.
"EMMA!" David cried, as he ran toward her, but Zelena stopped with magic and began choking him. He lost consciousness and she tossed him away.
"Charming!" Snow cried tearfully, as she crashed beside him, gently lifting his head into her lap.
"Zelena...using Emma versus using the baby could seriously alter the results of what you want! This will not end up the way you think!" Hades pleaded.
"He's right...using the Savior in this will almost certainly ensure your doom," Persephone added.
"I'm willing to take my chances. I've done my research...and regardless, this spell will allow me to go back and stop Princess Eva from telling my mother's secret. Then I will become Queen," Zelena stated.
"You're going to kill my sister?" Eli asked in horror. But she only shrugged.
"It's a small price to pay and I doubt she'll really be missed. Take heart though...you'll get to become King," she replied, as her pendant glowed and the spell was activated.
"No...Emma!" Snow cried, as Charming came around. He got to his feet and they ran toward their daughter, despite the flails of energy that were threatening to now blow them back. A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I love you guys…" she said tearfully.
"Mom!" Henry cried.
"I love you kid," she said, Neal held him tightly and looked at her.
"Emma…" he cried.
"I love you Neal…" she said, as the four pillars glowed with blinding green light, thanks to Zelena's pendant and she cackled evilly.
"It's happening!" she said gleefully. Snow and Charming looked at each other with broken, sorrowful stares. He kissed her fiercely.
"I'll find you...nothing will stop me, certainly not some witch. I will always find you," he promised, as he held her and the glowing got brighter. Neal cried out in horror, as Henry disappeared.
"Henry!" he and Regina cried together.
"Don't worry sis...you're next," Zelena said, enjoying it immensely, as she watched her sister fade away.
"Regina…" Snow cried, as she looked at her mother, who was huddled with them.
"It's going to be all right, snow drop. David is right. He'll find you and so will I," she promised, as she turned to Hades.
"I'm sorry...I couldn't stop her and I should have come clean with you sooner," he said, choking back tears.
"I know that you love me...and I know you thought that maybe going back might fix all the things you did. But you don't have to, because you've changed and I love you too," she said tearfully, as they kissed.
"Zelena has not won. This isn't over...we'll fix this. Somehow...I believe that now," he said. She smiled and nodded, as she looked at her daughter and son-in-law.
"It's true love...they'll save us, even if they don't it yet," Persephone reasoned. And with that, they all disappeared…