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. Reviews have dropped a bit, but any feedback you can give is much appreciated.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83.
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
George Clooney as Zeus
Maggie Smith as Hecate
Stephen Amell as Ares
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Phobos
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, Snow is in a pickle. They definitely need a win and I think you'll like this chapter. :)
Naomi Blue: Yeah, I think you'll like Regina's stance in this chapter. It's familiar, but with a twist. She's not really evil here, but definitely still out for herself. Frollo is literally the worst.
BooksinmyDreams: Aw, thanks, so glad you like it. :)
Grace5231973: Ha, yep! Frollo and the Chernabog are one now, which means a lot of trouble. Rumple is actually at his scheming best in this chapter, with pure Rumple-style. You'll enjoy it I think. :)
Number Ten: Yep, here teaming up with Snow and David actually works toward her agenda. Cora will always choose the wrong side I think. She'll probably pay for it too. I like the jokes too. No one is going in that tent, cause you know someone probably did once and got scarred. Yes and those two years all come to a head in this chapter.
Jennifer Baratta: Yes, Snow definitely needs to be rescued and fast! :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 106: Way Up High
David opened his eyes and immediately shot up into a seated position, as it all came crashing back to him.
"Snow…" he breathed, as he rushed to the bars and shook them.
"SNOW!" he cried.
"She's gone, brother," James said dejectedly and he turned to find most of his family in the cell with him, including Hades and Persephone.
"They got you both too?" he asked in confusion and they held up their wrists, showing him the odd black cuffs on their wrists.
"Frollo has been busy in his seclusion. He's used science to craft this device. It suppresses our magic," Hades explained, which floored David, though this was the same man that had created a way to nullify Midas' touch so he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised.
"And Snow?" he asked.
"Gone...he has her," Eli answered, looking deeply troubled. David turned back toward the bars and rattled them again.
"Doing that isn't going to make them magically break and open, genius," James said snidely.
"Oh, I'm sorry...my wife was just carried off by some demonic monster and rational thought isn't exactly in my wheelhouse right now!" David snapped back, as brothers got in each other's faces.
"Losing your mind doesn't save Snow," James growled back, but David pointed at him angrily.
"Don't tell me how I should be reacting to my wife being kidnapped by a madman, who is now half monster!" David shouted back, as Lancelot separated.
"You two coming to blows will solve nothing," he scolded them.
"Yes...it would be quite undignified from two supposed princes," Cora cooed, as she and Leopold appeared outside the cell.
"Where is my wife?" David demanded to know.
"Wife?" Leopold asked with scrutiny.
"You heard me...where is Snow?" David demanded to know and Leopold looked to Eli.
"You let her marry for love, against my advice, and now look at the predicament she is in," he scolded the younger King.
"As opposed to what? Marrying her off to some dirty old man that lusts after beautiful women less than half his age," Eli hissed, as he sided up next to David.
"And just because you were once betrothed to my sister long ago hardly means that you qualify to give me any advice, especially about my daughter," he added.
"All of this is irrelevant. We simply came to pay you a courtesy that you don't deserve," Cora stated coolly.
"You have all been slated for execution and King Arawn will have your sentences carried out at dusk," she announced, as she and Leopold turned to leave. David angrily shook the bars, before stepping back and he began to pace.
"I have to get us out of here...I have to find Snow," he lamented.
"Which will be impossible without my help," another voice said, as a woman in a black dress appeared.
"Regina…" Persephone said, as she went to the bars.
"Are you here to help us?" David asked. She smirked.
"For the right price," Regina responded. He rolled his eyes.
"And what is it that you want from us?" David asked.
"I want many things and if you can help me get those, then maybe we can do business," Regina replied, as she held up an apple.
"Right now, this apple may be what is needed to buy Snow some time, because right now, she's in the clutches of a madman that would think nothing of violating her," she said.
"I know! That's why I need to get out of here and find her!" David responded impatiently.
"Repeating the obvious will get you no where," she chided.
"Thank you...he's really bad about that," James complained.
"Shut up," David sniped at his twin. Persephone put her hand up.
"What do you need from us in order to save my daughter?" she asked.
"First...I need to get rid of my mother and her lecher of a husband," Regina replied.
"Isn't he your father?" James asked.
"No...he's not," she answered.
"So you know…" Hades stated. She nodded.
"I do," she confirmed.
"When you say...get rid of them, what exactly are we talking about? Because if you wanted to kill them, you would have done it already," Hades responded.
"Death is too good for my mother. I want her to suffer for killing Daniel," Regina stated.
"Well...there is Wonderland," Hades muttered.
"Normally I would say that no one deserves that, but this is Cora and Leopold we're talking about so that would work," Persephone agreed, as she turned back.
"We have an enchanted looking glass that is also a portal to Wonderland. You could banish them there and trust me, Wonderland is not for the faint of heart," she offered. Regina seemed intrigued.
"Is that the land of the mythical Jabberwocky and where food can change your size?" Regina questioned.
"One in the same. I can charge the Jabberwocky with the task of tormenting them. I had a hand in her creation, after all," Hades said.
"That's a start," Regina agreed.
"Okay...so how does an apple help the woman I love?" David asked anxiously. Regina smirked.
"It will put her under a sleeping curse once she bites into it," the almost Queen said gleefully.
"What?!" David exclaimed, but his family chided him and urged him to be quiet.
"You're going to put my wife under a sleeping curse?" he hissed in a hush whisper.
"Yes...and then the spell will whisk her away to a secluded place in the forest where she will await true love's kiss...from you," Regina stated.
"Why the theatrics?" Hades questioned and a familiar giggle followed his question.
"Because it's fun," Rumple answered.
"And those theatrics will serve as the final catalyst needed to allow Snow White and her Prince to lead the charge to finally dethrone King Arawn," he added. Regina nodded.
"You'll take your Kingdoms back," she said, gesturing to the twin brothers.
"And I'll have mine," Regina continued.
"And King Arawn?" James asked.
"I'll deal with him personally...after I challenge Zeus for his Throne and take it," Persephone announced, making Rumple giggle gleefully. Hades smirked.
"Then with a true Queen leading the Gods and King Arawn rotting in a prison cell, peace can reign," he added.
"There's just one more thing I require," Regina stated.
"What more could you want?" David asked. She smirked.
"A curse...a curse that I will cast and you will not interfere with," Regina replied.
"A curse…" Persephone said, horrified.
"You can't mean…" Hades continued and Rumple laughed again.
"Yes...the Dark Curse, but if you behave and cooperate, you can all have very good lives under the curse," he added.
"What is he talking about?" David questioned.
"We'll explain later. But without their help, we will be executed and Snow will be in the hands of that monster and his mad King," Hades stated.
"Then do we have a deal?" Rumple asked. Persephone pursed her lips.
"Deal...but you better hold up your end," she warned. He let out another high pitched giggle, as they shook hands.
"Don't worry dearie, your daughter will soon be Queen and she'll remain with her troo wuv under the curse," he promised.
"Well...I'll be off now to curse your wife," Regina goaded, as she disappeared in a puff of violet smoke.
"Are you going to get us out of here now or not?" Hades asked impatiently.
"Yes, yes...first thing is first though," Rumple said, as David disappeared and reappeared outside the cell.
"We need to get you ready for your big moment," the imp stated.
Snow worked tirelessly with a hairpin on the lock of her cell, but sighed and finally took a break. Her arms ached, as she had been working hours now on trying to pick the lock, but with no success.
"You must save your energy, beautiful Snow...that lock is enchanted and cannot be bypassed," Frollo chided, as she turned and found him staring at her through the bars.
"By the Gods...I didn't think it was possible, but I want you even more now than before," he leered, as he reached through the bars and Snow whimpered, as he put a bony hand around her slender neck, forcing her to look at him.
"Get your hands off me!" Snow growled.
"So very fair...lips so red…" he whispered, as he ran a thumb over her lips.
"I must have you…" he said, as he phased inside the cell and she cried out in fright, as he gripped her arms.
"I thought that no woman could ever tempt me again the way the lovely Esmeralda did. I thought none could be more forbidden than she," he continued.
"But my demon blood is called by yours," he added.
"I am not a demon, you psychopath!" Snow hissed, as she kneed him in the groin. He groaned and fell to his knees, as she rushed to the bars and shook them. But there was no escape.
"I will have you, Snow White!" Frollo growled, as he started to get up and panic began to overwhelm her at the thought of what he meant to do to her.
Suddenly, someone appeared outside the bars in a puff of violet smoke and she was astonished by who it was.
"Regina?" she asked in surprise.
"Hello Snow," she greeted simply.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Offering you a way out of...this," she said, as she looked distastefully at Frollo.
"Oh yes...please help me. He's insane," she pleaded.
"Take a bite of this and all your problems will be solved," Regina offered.
"An apple?" Snow asked in confusion, as Frollo got to his feet. Regina waved her hand and immobilized him with her magic, but noticed it was a struggle.
"I can't hold him long. This apple will leave a very bad taste in your mouth to say the least, but I can promise that one bite will take you far from here and the next time you open your eyes, you'll be looking up at your Charming prince," Regina stated.
"Really?" Snow asked skeptically.
"Truly...oh, and I'll be Queen while my mother will finally be out of my hair at last. It's a win-win for us both," she promised, as Snow stared at the piece of fruit.
"You need to hurry...I can't hold him much longer," Regina stated, as Frollo struggled to get free. Snow took a deep breath and took the apple, before biting into it. She felt herself choke and then unconsciousness overtook her, as she fell to the floor. And Frollo shouted in rage, as the Princess disappeared in a puff of smoke and out of his reach. Regina smirked and disappeared as well.
As she reappeared in the halls of the dungeon, she saw David double over in pain.
"What have you done? What have you done to Snow?" he cried.
"You feel it?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes!" he cried.
"Relax...she's under the sleeping curse now, but it's far better than what fate awaited her with Frollo," she assured.
"And now it's time," Rumple stated, as there was another puff of magic and when the smoke cleared, it revealed David, dressed in a princely red coat, complete with a white tunic, black leather pants, and boots.
"Now you look the part for your big moment," he stated, as Regina handed his mother's ring to him.
"Why did you take this from Snow?" he demanded to know.
"Because it's enchanted now and she's in the infinite forest. You'll need it to find her. The closer you get, the brighter it will glow," Rumple responded, as he waved his hand and the Prince disappeared.
"What about us?" James asked anxiously, as they heard guards coming.
"Hmm...yes, you all will have your own duties to tend to now. You two will need this," he said, as he handed Hades a potion that would free them from the magic suppressing cuffs. Then, with a wave of Rumple's hand, all of them, including the dwarves, disappeared.
The guards arrived and found empty cells when they did.
"They're gone...inform King Arawn at once!" one of the guards bellowed.
David reappeared in the middle of a forest and found a white horse awaiting him. The ring on his pinky glowed and he mounted the animal, before setting off in a hurried gallop to find his wife.
The dwarves appeared in the infinite forest and found themselves in a place surrounded by tall trees and a plethora of snowdrops.
"Where the hell are we?" Grumpy questioned.
"Look!" Doc called, as he drew their attention forward. And there, resting in a glass covered coffin, was a sleeping Snow White, dressed in a beautiful white gown. Snow began to fall from the sky, as the seven dwarves began their watch over their Princess.
Eli, James, and Lancelot appeared back at their camp, and called their small, misfit army to arms.
"Snow White has been put under a sleeping curse!" Lancelot announced, causing commotion to ripple through the ranks.
"As we speak, Prince David is racing through the infinite forest in search of her to awaken her with true love's kiss," he continued.
"King Arawn has cursed the Princess!" they heard some of the young recruits assume and they didn't correct them.
"It is time that King Arawn is dethroned permanently. Spread the word through the villages and let them know that we have the backing of the Gods! The Goddess Persephone will not let this one stand and she will lend her power to us to avenge our daughter!" Eli announced, as they dispersed to rally the people to arms.
"I hope this works," James muttered.
"It will...we must have faith," Lancelot stated.
Hades and Persephone appeared on Mount Olympus, spying Zeus on his Throne. Flanking that Throne was Deimos and his father Ares. Hephaestus observed nearby from his forge, while the others Gods began to appear, flanking Persephone with Hades. Demeter, Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, and Phobos. Aphrodite joined Ares and her son, though she was horrified to see where her precious Phobos was.
"Phobos...what are you doing?" she questioned.
"Choosing the right side, mother…" he stated simply. Off to the side, Hera, Athena, and Hecate appeared, as they were unsurprisingly the neutral parties in all of this. Hera hated her husband, but stopped short of going against him so directly. And Athena always remained neutral, for she had already foretold the outcome and Hecate often remained neutral with her, ready to support her prophecies when they came true.
"You do not want to do this, Persephone…" Zeus warned.
"I assure you that I do…" she replied.
"You will all pay dearly for betraying me," he warned one more time.
"Or perhaps you fear what you know will come to pass...a new Order," Apollo announced, as magic exploded between the Gods and lit up the skies with brilliant colors and lightning.
David raced forth on his steed, urging the horse as fast as it could run. The ring was steadily getting brighter, as he rode along the dirt path and finally along the seaside road. Snow began to fall from the sky, just as he arrived in the alcove where his wife slept in a glass coffin of all things. Rumpelstiltskin had really employed all the necessary theatrics to make it an incredible story.
He dismounted his horse and rushed forth, where the dwarves kept watch.
"You really think this true love's kiss thing will work?" Grumpy asked gruffly.
"Do you doubt my love for Snow?" David countered with a steely gaze, which made the dwarf relent. No one could refute their love, unless they were just plain daft.
"Then I guess it would be stupid to say that you're too late," Grumpy added.
"It would," David agreed.
"Open it," he demanded, as he leaned down over her and pressed his lips to hers. A wave of rainbow colored magic swept over them all and then washed over the entire land in a brilliant display. Snow took a starved breath of air and looked up, seeing her husband smiling down at her.
"You...you found me," she said, as he helped her sit up.
"Did you ever doubt I would?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"Truthfully, being carried off by a demon and the glass coffin gave me pause," she admitted. He chuckled and kissed her again, while caressing her cheek.
"Well, you never have to worry...for I will always find you," he promised, as he helped her to her feet and they strolled along the beach.
"So...what now?" she asked.
"Your mother has gone to challenge Zeus for his power. And your father is with my brother and Lancelot. They're rallying our troops," he replied.
"Then it's time...to take back the Kingdoms," she realized. He nodded, as he followed her gaze in the distance to the magnificent castles across the sea.
"Well, at least we will be doing this like we do everything...together," she said, as she kissed him again.
"Together," he confirmed.
"There is still the matter of the Chernabog though," she reminded.
"Your mother will win power and then she will be able to seal it away again," he said. She nodded and was hopeful that her mother would succeed.
"I love you Snow," he said. She smiled.
"I love you too, Charming," she replied, as their lips met passionately again.
"Come my darling...we'll lead the charge against Arawn's army," he said, as they mounted his horse and took off into the forest.
Persephone dodged Zeus' lightning bolts, as each one threatened to pummel her and her lavender magic slammed into him, as they engaged in a power struggle. The battle had raged for hours now and they were all weary. She wanted to yield, as every muscle in her body screamed in protest. But she couldn't. She wouldn't, for Snow's future rested upon what happened here. And for her daughter, son-in-law, and subsequently future grandchildren, she would win this day.
"Give it up already, Persephone...you cannot defeat me. The power of the sky is at my beck and call!" Zeus boasted, as lightning and thunder boomed angrily around them.
"Yet you abuse the power of the sky. It did not bestow its power to you so you could strike down those that disagree with you or punish humans for their mistakes! For grievances you yourself commit!" she accused.
"I am Supreme...they are peons, including your half breed spawn," he hissed.
"And once I am done with you, I will send Deimos to capture her and then she will suffer for your betrayal," he promised.
"Snow is innocent! If you keep going after the innocent, then you are not as righteous as you claim! Your evil ways will see that the power of the sky will cease to hear your call!" she announced. He smirked and held out his hand, commanding Hephaestus to give him yet another lightning bolt. The other God reluctantly obeyed, sending another bolt into his hand.
"I'd say the lightning still obeys my call and this one will be your end, Persephone," he called, as he threw the bolt directly at her.
Hades wearily battled the brute strength of Ares, as blood trickled down his face from the nick he had sustained from the other's blade.
"You never were much of a warrior, Uncle. Honestly, I never expected you to choose the wrong side though," Ares boasted, as he pummeled the other man to the ground. Hades rolled away from his blade and climbed to his feet again. Blue fire came alive in his hand and the tips of his hair, as he fired the attack at Ares, who batted his attack away.
"I'm going to enjoy sending you to one of your own rivers," Ares goaded, as he brought his sword up for the final strike, but he stopped, as they all witnessed a spectacle sight before them…
Persephone's eyes widened, as she saw the bolt coming straight toward her. She knew if she let it hit her, it would be over. But if she attempted to seize its power, than two things would happen, it would either end her or choose her. And so she stood tall and let the love she felt for her family give her the strength and courage she needed. She jumped up, reaching her hand up and there was an explosion as she made contact with the lightning bolt. Zeus smirked and eagerly waited for the smoke to clear, so he could see her charred body and watch his older brother crumble.
But when the smoke did clear, he frowned, as a figure stood there, glowing with silver light. Persephone's eyes glowed silver and he was horrified to see that his lightning bolt was in her hand. He seethed at that and turned to Hephaestus.
"Another lightning bolt!" he demanded, but the other God did not obey this time.
"I'm sorry...the lightning does not heed your call anymore," the man said in a low voice. His eyes widened and he looked back at Persephone, as she stood tall and looked at the lightning bolt in her hand.
"You did it…" Hades uttered in amazement.
"The sky has chosen a new champion," Athena announced.
"Hmmm...you've been dethroned it would seem," Hera said, not bothering to hide how pleased she was by that.
"N...no! This cannot be happening!" he raged, as he blasted her with a fireball, but she caught it in her hand and it fizzled to nothing.
"It's over brother...you've lost," Hades said smugly.
"And you're enjoying it," Zeus accused.
"Oh...immensely so," Hades confirmed.
"So what now? You kill me? You advocate against such, but you will end me. I never took you for a hypocrite, Persephone," Zeus goaded.
"No...you will live, because I am not like you. But I feel that there are many down on earth that may not be so kind," she replied, confusing him for a moment, as one of his own lightning bolts hit him. He screamed in terror, as he was cast out and plummeted to earth. Another lightning bolt hit Deimos and plunged him to the Earth as well. She prepared to sentence Ares and Aphrodite to the same fates, but they were on their knees in an instant, begging her to spare them.
"Please…" Ares pleaded.
"Our allegiance is to you," Aphrodite claimed.
"You had better not make me regret this...but for Phobos, I'll give you another chance," she declared.
"Thank you...my Queen. You will certainly be a welcome and benevolent ruler," Phobos stated, as they turned their attention down to Earth, where the disgraced Gods were finding out about their new fate.
Deimos and Zeus got to their feet and found that they felt very differently.
"What...what has she done to us?" Deimos demanded to know.
"She...she took our magic and our immortality!" Zeus cried. Both were horrified by their new, mortal existence and now knew what the new supreme Goddess meant by sentencing them to a fate worse than death…
King Arawn stared in horror, as his Empire began to collapse around him in a matter of hours. Once his most loyal soldiers had been defeated by Snow and Charming's ragtag band of misfits, that which included an actual werewolf, the rest of his army quickly deflected and abandoned his cause. He had forced many of them into his army and had not inspired the loyalty that Snow White seemed to inspire in her troops. His castle doors boomed, as they burst open. Snow and Charming, along with Prince James, Lancelot, and King Eli stood strong before him.
"This is not your palace, Your Majesty. It belongs to my father and we're here to take back what is ours," Snow announced.
"And will you still stand when Zeus comes to eradicate you, dear Snow?" Arawn challenged.
"Zeus no longer rules the skies," another voice said, as Persephone appeared with Hades beside her and held a lightning bolt in her hand as proof of her claim. King Arawn's eyes widened in surprise.
"You are under arrest for war crimes and genocide...Your Majesty," Eli announced smugly. There was no fleeing for him, as Lancelot was swift to restrain him and he was put in chains. This time, he was the one being led to the dungeon. Snow and David smiled at each other, as they hugged and he spun her around.
"We did it, my love," she whispered.
"We did...together," he said, as he held her close and they relished their long deserved victory together.
Leopold and Cora hurried through their palace carrying what belongings they could, as they attempted to make a get away. The tide had shifted and they had picked the wrong side. And with Persephone in control, Cora knew she would replace them with her insipid daughter.
"Regina...we must go! Snow and her wretched prince have taken the Kingdom!" Cora urged.
"King Arawn has been captured," Leopold added.
"Yes...I know. You've been replaced," Regina stated.
"Yes...it is likely that Persephone will put her daughter on our Throne," Cora said. But Regina smirked.
"No...you've both been replaced...by me," the younger woman stated, as her lips curled into a devious smirk.
"What?" Cora questioned.
"You...you freed them, didn't you?" she asked her daughter.
"I did," Regina confirmed.
"You...you betrayed us! Our own daughter!" Leopold cried in outrage.
"You are not my father," Regina stated, as Henry appeared behind them and pulled a sheet away from a looking glass for her.
"Now...you'll either walk through that looking glass to a realm you'll never return from...or I deliver you to Persephone's feet," she commanded.
"Regina...please don't do this," Cora pleaded.
"You ruined my life…" Regina growled.
"You killed Daniel and destroyed any chance at happiness I ever had!" she ranted.
"So now...turn about is fair play, mother. I banish you to a place where you will spend your days knowing nothing but what you fear most. Being powerless…" Regina stated.
"Regina please…" Cora pleaded, but her daughter gave her a violent shove and she was pushed through the looking glass.
"Follow her or Hades and King Eli will have you, as will Snow's husband. And I doubt you'll enjoy that. Go through that looking glass and you might have a fighting chance," Regina stated. Leopold, looking absolutely terrified, took the opportunity she was giving him and followed Cora through the looking glass.
"Wow...they won. And I mean really won this time," Emma said, as hope filled her voice. But the look on Athena's face was not one of optimism.
"What? This is good, right? Maybe this will be better, especially if there is still a curse," Emma said.
"My parents and I will stay together, even if we have different identities and they don't remember everything. And then...I'll still break the curse and possibly meet Neal…" she continued.
"I'm afraid it's not over Emma and it may not go the way it seems it will now," Athena said vaguely. Emma frowned and continued to watch. Based on what she knew about the time line, it was probable that her mother was already pregnant with her and just didn't know it yet. And that meant her time to make a decision was dwindling fast.
"I want to watch a bit longer, but if it goes bad...then I know what my decision will be," she decided gravely...