AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, Swanfire, Daddy Charming, Mama Snow, HadesxPersephone, Mama Persephone, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated and vital.

Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr.

Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!

Special note:

Here are the main face claims that we're dealing with right now. For other minor Gods/Goddesses, see previous chapters:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Rami Malek as Apollo

Drew Barrymore as former Queen Serafina

Idris Elba as Hephaestus

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. 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. :)

Note: Keep in mind during this arc that time is very wonky. Basically Zelena went back, killed Eva, and then regressed to an infant. Emma is watching time pass more like in a movie rather than real time. It will eventually all make sense at the end of this arc. Sort of. I hope. :)

Here are individual responses:

Saberius Prime: Yep, Frollo merged with the Chernabog which will create all kinds of problems. Glad you're enjoying! :)

Naomi Blue: Yeah, unfortunately Frollo is back and now worse. Yeah, I think given the right circumstances, James would have been able to heal. But he needed to be knocked down a peg first. ;)

Grace5231973: Yep, the Chernabog is back! Lol, don't worry, Hades is mostly bluster and Persephone has likely told him that he does what he does because of a child, which Hades obviously gets. Glad you liked the talk between Snow and Belle. And yes, James definitely needed knocked down a peg. :)

Jennifer Baratta: Yep, uh oh is right. Frollo is alive and worse than ever.

Number Ten: Yes, the brotherly banter was entertaining for sure. Yeah, Zeus isn't my favorite. Sorry, he's a douche. It's well documented. And yeah, he did bring Killian back, which means he probably could have brought Robin back and didn't. So there's that. Yes, the coming battles will be hard and unexpected things will happen. Glad you liked the talk between Snow and Belle, I liked that part too. :)

Guest: Yep, I'm afraid so. The Chernabog and Frollo are now one being. Glad you liked the brotherly interactions and I agree, James didn't really get a fair chance in canon, so I'm fixing that. :)

Beth1980: lol, well, I'm glad I can give you some laughs. I love animals. I have cats. I know, I thought it was so random, but I wanted that conversation between Snow and Belle and Rumple can be eccentric so I could see him doing that. I agree, I like the idea of them ruling the Kingdoms together. Rumple got his potion and Belle made a friend. Yeah, James needed to be knocked down a peg so he can grow as a person. And having his own brother lay the smackdown will get it done. Ha, yeah, sorry, Frollo's not dead. That would make things easier. Yes, I think if anyone deserves torture, it's Frollo. :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 105: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

War had continued to rage over the last couple years, ravaging the lands and the Kingdoms. But this arc of the war was not without hope, for it was two years ago that the people started to fight back against the ruthless King Arawn. And that was because they had a leader in the form of rogue Princess Snow White. And it had all started with the liberation of one small village, just a little over two years earlier.

Two Years Ago

The small farming village near the northern mountain ridge was usually peaceful, where families lived their lives and made a meager living off farming and then trading their goods. And on this morning, things seemed to be normal as usual. The market was open bright and early, with people selling their fresh grown vegetables, chicken eggs, and fresh baked bread. But an unusual commotion interrupted the morning bustle at the market and fear rippled through the people, as King Arwan's soldiers marched into their village.

"King Arawn is recruiting for his vast army. To volunteer a tribute from your family would mean instant honor and favor to your family!" the Knight decreed, but when no one stepped forward to volunteer their young sons, the soldiers began to mingle through the people. Several young boys were recruited into the ranks by force, leaving their families crying out for them. But the soldier's swords kept parents and siblings at bay, as young recruits were rounded up. They would be taken back to a nearby camp, put through a few hours of basic training, and then forced into the ranks where they'd likely be killed in battle. The people knew this and there was nothing they could do to stop it. It was a feeling of helplessness that too many villages had known in the last few years since Arawn's invasion of the Kingdoms had begun and most felt as if there was no longer any hope.

But little did they know, this would be a changing day.

"How old is he?" the Knight questioned gruffly. The father of this family, his skin leathery from years under the sun on his farm and his spirit just as weary, managed to stand tall and look the Knight in the eyes. He walked with a limp, for he was not a young man any longer, but he did not despair in that, for his son helped his farm survive. Until now.

"Only twelve," the man lied.

"A bit tall and strapping for twelve, isn't he?" the Knight said, as he looked at the frightened boy. The Knight grabbed the father and put his sword to the man's throat.

"How old are you, boy?" he questioned.

"Fou...fourteen Sir...please don't hurt my papa!" he cried. The Knight shoved the man away and prodded the boy forth.

"Old enough...join the ranks with the other scabs," he ordered.

"No...you can't take my boy! He's all I have!" the father shouted, as he limped behind the soldier, but the Knight turned swiftly and embedded a fist in the man's abdomen, dropping him to his knees in pain.

"Papa!" the young boy cried, but was prevented from going to his ailing father.

"Make an example of him," the lead Knight ordered to his subordinate and two soldiers picked the man up, forcing him to his knees.

"Let this be a lesson to all who defy the mighty King Arawn!" the solder announced, as a bag was put over the man's head and another soldier came forth with a particular sword that was designed for beheading.

"Papa!" the young man screamed in terror, but a few well placed arrows stopped the soldier in his tracks. He looked around, but when he saw no one, he started walking again. That would be the final thing he did, as an arrow caught him in the heart and he dropped dead to the ground. The other soldiers looked around and a lone figure dropped from the trees, before dropping their hood, and revealing a beautiful woman, as fair as any they had ever seen.

"Oh, look what we have here, boys...something we can pass around to keep us warm tonight," he leered. But that threat was his last words, as another figure dropped from the trees and the soldier's attempt to block the man's blade was unsuccessful.

"That's Snow White!" they heard one of the villager's call out.

"Well...Snow White, huh? King Arawn will promote me to General when I bring you in, Your Highness," the lead soldier claimed.

"And he'll be very interested in your betrayal, Prince James," he added.

"I'm not James," David refuted.

"Though you can happily tell King Arawn to burn in hell from me…" James added, as he suddenly appeared before the soldiers, leaving them seeing double.

"That is, if were going to live to tell about this," James continued, as the lead soldier's blade clashed with his, but the Prince easily dispatched the leader.

"You really think the three of you can stand against an entire battalion of King Arawn's soldiers?" one of them growled. But he was cut down in response.

"Try five," Lancelot said, as he and Eli appeared.

"You're going to release these boys and leave this village," Lancelot ordered.

"We're not intimidated by any of you and certainly not some Princess," he spat.

"Then you're a fool," Eli said, as the soldiers rushed them and the fighting broke out.

Twelve of them surrounded Snow and David and Snow put her bow around her, before unsheathing her sword. The soldiers attacked and the two of them worked perfectly in sync, quickly cutting down their adversaries with ease. Their wordless communication and perfect symmetry soon had them down to two soldiers in no time. And they had drawn quite the crowd of spectators from the villagers. David dueled one of the remaining soldiers, while Snow dueled the other.

"You're out of your depth, girl," he warned, as he slashed savagely at her. But she whipped around and left him shadowboxing. He missed her and she knocked in over the head with the hilt of her sword, dropping him instantly.

"Woman," she corrected, as she saw her husband dueling the last one, while Lancelot, James, and her father were fighting the rest. A split second glance from her husband conveyed their next move and she watched closely, waiting for the right moment. David dueled with the other man and managed to split his defenses, knocking him off balance. He then bent over, allowing Snow and roll over his back and surprise the soldier and cutting him down. The people surprised them by cheering and they instantly saw that Persephone was right. With this one act, they had returned hope to the hopeless. David smiled at her and put his hand on the small of her back, as he pulled her close and kissed her. She was breathless when their lips parted and they stared into each other's eyes. With their adrenaline pumping and the excitement of the battle among their emotions, they naturally found a moment of romance amid the fighting, which surprised no one that knew them and enthralled all those that didn't.

As much as they were reluctant to entice the Dark One further, they couldn't deny that he had been exactly right about this entire plan. He had been adamant that Snow and David become the leaders of their group, despite Lancelot, James, and even Eli having more experience in both battles and diplomacy. But seeing the way the people responded to Snow and her prince and the way they were instantly drawn in by their romance proved the Dark One was exactly right in who he had picked to lead this resistance.

"Hmm...looks like we're going to have to endure the imp and his gloating," Persephone said, as she and Hades observed from afar with his oracle. They were ready to step in if needed, but the imp had been adamant that the Gods should only interfere in an emergency. He insisted that Snow and David must prove their worth as leaders right out of the gate if they were going to inspire people to follow them. And they had in an effortless way that shocked them all. With their chemistry and obvious love, not to mention their impressive skill in taking down an entire battalion of soldiers, they had sparked hope. And if the imp was right, it would spread like wildfire.

"He's already insufferable at times and this won't help. Add to that, our daughter and son-in-law are now basically celebrities," he said, with a sigh.

"That won't annoy me or anything," he lamented. She smirked.

"You are such a protective papa...and a big teddy bear," she teased. He scoffed.

"The God of the Underworld is not a teddy bear. But protective? You better believe it," he mused. She smirked.

"Okay, not a teddy bear...except with Snow and I can recall plenty of examples to prove my point," she retorted. He looked at her and relented with a sigh.

"Fair point," he agreed, as they watched people thanking them profusely for their liberation and the return of their children.

Present Day

The resistance had been born that day and villages across the countryside were continually liberated by them. Their own army had grown substantially, as former farmers, defected soldiers, and those considered misfits joined their ranks. Among their most surprising members were seven dwarf brothers, as well as a werewolf named Red and her crossbow armed Granny.

Since they began to fight back two years ago, Hades remained very busy and was in the Underworld, as that was the way of war. But civilian deaths had significantly decreased, thanks to their efforts to protect and liberate villages. A lot more of the casualties now ended up being Arawn's soldiers, as the balance of power had shifted.

But one thing had troubled both Hades and Persephone greatly. Claude Frollo had not passed into the Underworld and that had them very worried. But when they returned to Bald Mountain, they found no trace of him and everything seemed in order inside the mountain. It was a mystery and a loose end, neither of which they liked at all.

On the other side of matters, Arawn was frustrated by this of course and it was compounded by the loss of his conniving right hand, Claude Frollo. The soldiers that had returned from Bald Mountain told the story of Lancelot and Prince James' betrayal, as well as Frollo's demise.

Then the next day, Snow White had led an assault on one of his battalions and wiped them out. Since then, he had charged his army with fighting her and her ragtag band of miscreants. But she proved she had the ability to rally the common people to her cause and they followed her in droves. He even had some of his soldiers, the younger ones they had forced into his draft, commit the ultimate treason and defect to her. He didn't like being humiliated and Deimos had informed him that Zeus was quite displeased with his efforts. Deimos had left to employ his own devices in bringing about the demise of the Princess and her band of misfits.

"What do you have to report?" Arawn questioned.

"It appears that there is some sort of unknown commotion in Leopold's Kingdom. We do not know the source, but our scouts say that Snow White and her Prince are going to investigate the disturbance," the soldier reported. Arawn sat back and thought for a moment. It was unusual for any kind of disturbance in Leopold's Kingdom. He had largely left it alone, since he knew combating Queen Cora and Princess Regina's magic wouldn't be easy. So naturally he was very curious as to what it could be and an opportunity to capture Snow White might be at hand as well.

"Do you want me to send a detachment of men?" the soldier asked.

"Gather our best Knights...I will be leading them myself," he replied.

Lancelot nodded, as their young scout reported what he had learned and the former Knight returned to their camp.

"You gonna stand there and brood all day or tell us what that boy just told you?" Granny questioned, as she worked over the fire, cooking a pot of porridge for breakfast.

"According to our sources...there is some sort of disturbance happening in King Leopold's Kingdom," he reported.

"That's a bit odd...Queen Cora has been known to blast trespassers on the spot," Red mentioned.

"That's what I thought and why it's probably worth looking into," Lancelot agreed.

"Exactly what does disturbance mean?" James asked skeptically.

"Like burning villages kind of disturbance," Lancelot answered, obviously troubled by that.

"Great...we could be walking into some kind of slaughter," Grumpy said gruffly.

"You know Snow and David...if there are people in danger, they'll want to provide aid," Red replied.

"Then someone needs to go tell them what's going on," Grumpy stated.

"Don't look at me...I'm not going in their tent," James refused.

"No one wants to go in their tent," Red agreed.

"They'll be out," Granny assured.

"Have you met my brother and his wife? They're on an eternal honeymoon," James reminded. Granny smirked.

"Which is why their empty stomachs from all that amorous activity will bring them out soon," the old woman said, causing groans at that reference. No one needed any reminder of what went on inside Snow and David's tent.

David kissed her in slow, sensual pecks, as they cuddled beneath the blankets and enjoyed the euphoria that was the afterglow of lovemaking.

"Mmm...I love you so much…" Snow breathed, as he kissed her neck and she ran her fingers through his hair.

"And I love you, my darling…" he said, as he caressed her cheek lovingly. She cuddled against him, as he spooned her and they sighed in contentment. He kissed her hair and entwined his hand with hers, as they lay sated together.

"That is a very nice way to wake up," he mentioned, making her giggle.

"I think everyone is up though. It will be hard to sneak off to the lake now," she replied.

"We can sneak off to the lake later to clean up...among other things," he mused playfully.

"Because I don't know about you, but I'm famished," he added, as she kissed him again.

"We did work up an appetite, didn't we?" she asked.

"Mmm...and had a lot of fun doing it," he agreed, as he kissed her again, before they started getting dressed and made their way outside their tent, hand in hand.

"Told you…" Granny mused.

"You two must be famished," she added, making Snow blush a bit and David rolled his eyes at her antics.

"We are, but you knew that before we got out here," he teased, as they took their seats by the fire.

"Could you two be more discreet?" James pleaded.

"Nah...what's the fun in that?" David replied smugly, as he kissed Snow's lips and she gazed dreamily at him, as their lips parted. James rolled his eyes, as his sister-in-law gazed at his brother with gooey eyes and leaned her head against his arm.

"You two are purely nauseating," he commented.

"And you're surlier than usual," David noticed.

"There's reports coming out of King Leopold's Kingdom about a disturbance," James replied, which caught Snow's attention.

"Usually Cora swiftly deals with any disturbance in her Kingdom," David reminded.

"Yes...she's been quite ruthless since Regina banished her sister Zelena. And we know Regina's magic is even more powerful than her mother's...so we're concerned by the reports of burning villages," Lancelot said. Snow looked at her husband.

"We need to go...if Cora isn't protecting her people against some type of threat, then we need to," she insisted.

"You know that our parents want you no where near Cora or Leopold," David reminded.

"And we won't be. We're going to help the village," she countered and he sighed.

"Okay...let's get ready and armed. We have no idea what we're walking into," he agreed, knowing that Snow was not going to take no for an answer.

Regina looked out from her balcony that overlooked her Kingdom and she thought about the day when she would make it all hers. Right now, Cora and Leopold were reluctant to cross her, but Regina didn't like that her mother still had power. She also didn't like it that King Arawn continued to run his own agenda. With her curse, all that would change and she would be the one with all the power.

Losing Daniel had made her very bitter and hateful over the years. Banishing Zelena had given her a moment of satisfaction, but it quickly faded and she was left with the same empty feeling she had since Daniel was killed. She was convinced that it was because she hadn't made her mother suffer yet and while she could challenge her now, it was a risky venture. She was powerful, but so was her mother and experience was on Cora's side. So Regina boded her time and waited for the day that she would cast the Dark Curse. She was convinced it would give her everything she wanted and she had been cooking up the perfect revenge on her mother. She planned to make sure Cora was exactly what she hated. Poor and powerless. Yes...that would fill the void in her, she was certain of it.

As she glanced out over her Kingdom that morning though, she saw something in the village. Fire and calls of distress, along with a monstrous roaring. Surely it wasn't Maleficent. Her dragon friend would never attack her Kingdom, which meant it was something else.

"If you've gotten stupid enough to invade my Kingdom, Arawn, I can promise you that it's the last thing you'll ever do," she growled, as she disappeared in a puff of violet smoke, intending to deal with whatever was going on in the villages.

Two years. Two long years spent in isolation, learning about his new form and abilities. At first, he could not control what he now was and as far as he could tell, he was now some type of human and monster hybrid, not unlike a dragon or wolf that could also take human form. But his monster form was that of the black God...or Chernabog to use the name spoke in the tongue of the villages near Bald Mountain.

But now he believed he was ready to make his existence known. He knew it would have to be a swift attack and surprising, for Hades and Persephone knew of his absence from the Underworld and he had gone to great lengths to conceal his existence from them for the last two years. Fortunately, as usual, they were busy with their duties in the Underworld and furthering their demon spawn's cause to overthrow his King.

But all that was about to change and he would win the day once again for King Arawn. At the same time, he would acquire Cora and Leopold's Kingdom for his King as a gesture of loyalty. Then he could continue to pursue his continued quest to perfect the meld between science and magic, just as his scientific mind had melded with the magical power of the Chernabog.

As he changed into his monstrous form and flew over the village, screams of terror soon ensued. And he knew it would draw all the attention he wanted.

Persephone entered the Temple of Hecate in Athens and looked around the hollowed halls.

"I know why you are here...and the answer is no," Hecate stated, as she appeared upon her Throne.

"Please hear me out," she requested.

"I am not repairing the Olympian crystal so you can use it against Zeus...even if he does deserve it," Hecate refuted.

"The crystal is not for him...it's for Deimos. He's a serious danger to everyone, especially my daughter," Persephone responded.

"I don't disagree that he is a danger, but the crystal is not the answer. Zeus snapped the crystal in half for a reason," Hecate reminded.

"So it could not be used against him! But we all know he is no longer worthy of his Throne. He has proven that in the last few years," Persephone responded. Hecate smirked.

"Then you do plan to challenge him?" she asked knowingly. She sighed.

"Yes…" Persephone replied.

"The lightning must choose you. To go up against Zeus is risky...you must be confident," Hecate stated.

"I am…" Persephone responded and Hecate smirked.

"Good...so am I," Hecate replied.

"So...is that still a no on the crystal?" Persephone questioned.

"Yes...if Zeus is unseated by you, then you'll have the power to bring Deimos into check. The crystal is just too dangerous to be repaired," Hecate answered.

"Fine…" Persephone relented, as Hades appeared in a puff of blue smoke, looking panicked.

"Hades...what is it?" she asked.

"It's Snow…" he replied.

"What's happened?" she asked, with an edge in her voice.

"I just received some new souls from a village in Cora's Kingdom. They reported that it was being attacked by a very distinct creature," he explained and her eyes widened.

"It can't be…" she said.

"I'm afraid it is...and Snow and David are headed there now," he replied frantically.

"Go...hurry," Hecate urged, as the two of them disappeared, while Hecate approached her viewing pond and waved her hands over it.

"I hope your prophecy comes to pass as predicted, Athena," he said.

The monster terrorized the village and Regina found that this creature could match her magic, which was seriously throwing her for a loop. Her eyes widened, as it batted her fireball away and snarled over her, preparing to snap her up in its powerful jaws. But it roared in pain, as an enchanted arrow pierced its neck and she looked up to find another woman there, dressed in what could only be described as a warrior princess-esque short tunic, white in color, complete with gold and silver rivets and accents, along with white knee-high riding boots.

"It's Snow White!" one of the villager's exclaimed and Regina could hardly believe that this was the innocent little girl she had once met in the meadow behind her castle.

"Seize her!" Arawn called, as he personally led his army into the fold. When he heard of the creature, he had hoped it was what he hoped it was and now that he was certain it was the Chernabog, he was determined to take control of it so he could rule supremely.

David joined her and they began to fight the onslaught of soldiers. Regina joined them in their efforts, assisting with fireballs to defend her Kingdom.

"Do you have any idea what the hell that thing is?" Regina growled.

"It's called the Chernabog…" Persephone interjected, as she and Hades arrived.

"But how...I thought we stopped Frollo from raising it?" David questioned and with that,

the creature's roar morphed into a more human cackle. They watched in abject horror, as the creature convulsed and shape-shifted into a humanoid form, revealing Claude Frollo himself. Though he looked a bit different than when they last saw him. His eyes were bloodshot and soulless pools of rage and malice. His cheeks and eyes were sunken even more so than before and his skin was an ashen gray.

"Guess we know why he didn't appear in the Underworld now," Hades said, as he stared at them with a smug smirk.

"Your efforts to keep the Chernabog dormant failed and it saw an opportunity through me to become more…" he stated.

"You have survived, after all," Arawn stated.

"Yes, Your Majesty...and now it is time we win this war," Frollo said, as he blasted Hades and Persephone with magic. They countered, but his proved to be far superior and they were thrown hard into a building.

"Mother...Papa Hades!" Snow cried.

"David...Eli...get her out of here!" Persephone pleaded. But Eli, Lancelot, and James were all subdued by Arawn's soldiers, while the dwarves and Granny were detained as well, thanks to Cora's magic.

"Mother...what are you doing?" Regina hissed.

"Choosing the winning side, dear," Cora responded. But Red was not having any of it, as she phased and ran at Frollo, but his magic easily subdued her as well. She whimpered in her wolf form, as he used magic to paralyze her and she was captured when she was forced to phase human again.

David took Snow's hand and started leading her away, but they were soon surrounded by Arawn and his soldiers.

"It's the end of the line, Princess…" Arawn stated. Frollo morphed into the Chernabog form and Snow cried out, as he snapped her up in his claws.

"SNOW!" David shouted, as he brandished his sword and cut through any in his way, as he ran after her. But the Chernabog carried his wife away and a jolt of magic hit him, throwing him into a tree.

"David!" Snow screamed for him, as she was taken away and he slipped into unconsciousness.

"Queen Cora...King Leopold...I assume we can use your dungeons," Arawn stated.

"Of course," Cora complied.

"Mother...inviting him into our Kingdom is a mistake," Regina hissed.

"Quiet Regina...I am still Queen of this Kingdom and you will know your place," Cora responded sternly. Regina glared at her mother and the silently at the King, as his soldiers invaded their palace and took their new prisoners to the dungeon. But Regina knew one thing...if she was to cast her curse, she needed to be Queen first. And that meant getting rid of Leopold, her mother, and King Arawn. And for that, she needed the right allies, which were about to be in her dungeon. She smirked.

"Perhaps a take down from the inside is in order," she mused.

Snow tried to compose her fear, as she banged on the walls of her new prison. The Chernabog had carried her back to Bald Mountain and Frollo had dragged her inside where he locked her in a cell he had created.

"Charming will find me," she warned, as Frollo approached. He smirked.

"I hardly fear your peasant boyfriend. Even if he does escape Arawn, which is unlikely, he is no match for me," he replied.

"Husband...he's my husband," Snow corrected.

"Hmm...it matters not," he said, as he looked at her and raised her chin, before she shrugged away in revulsion.

"Even in my new, enlightened form, you still stir the lust in my loins," he leered.

"Touch me again and your loins are going to be in your throat," she growled and he chuckled at that.

"That fire is exhilarating, as always. Rest well, Snow White. Soon...you shall rule by my side in service to King Arawn," he responded.

"I will never do anything with you or Arawn!" she refuted.

"You will...you will rally the people to King Arawn or your husband and your parents die," he spat. Snow frowned and he lifted her chin again.

"And you will then become mine…" he added. She shrugged him off and he left her with a smug grin. She struggled to keep her composure and sank to the floor.

"No...I won't lose hope. I know you'll find me, Charming…" she called out. She knew David and her parents would never give up, so neither would she...