7:15 AM AU - Things go a bit differently in the cabin during 7:15 AM. With memories returned, how will this change things?
Face Claim for Narcissa: Eileen Davidson
Face Claims for the three good fairies:
Flora: Maggie Smith
Fauna: Linsey Godfrey
Merryweather: Jackee Harry
New Face Claims:
Lucian Blackwater: Graham Greene
Malachi Wolfe: Scott Adkins
Will Rainwater/Billy Truheart: Lou Diamond Phillips
Monica Rainwater: TBD
Sam Rainwater/Mathias Firebird: Zahn McClarnon
Tigerlily: Sara Tomko(same as the show)
Thanks for the amazing response to this story. It's a lot of fun. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the twists and turns. Season 1 can be very fun to play with. Enjoy this latest and keep reviewing! Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yeah, you almost can't blame Greg. That is, if he would just let it go. But he's probably not going to. Glad you're enjoying!
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Grace5231973: Yep, Greg is an idiot. He just can't leave it alone. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sexystarwarslover: Thanks so much. Yeah, it's been a rough month and a little over a month now since she died. I miss her so much; more than I thought possible. But she'd want me to keep writing, because I love it so that's what I'm going to do. Yeah, Greg is going about everything the wrong way. Thankfully, Emma and David handled it so no one got hurt and they still let him go find his father, who in a twist, is alive here. There are some hints about the siblings in this chapter. You may be able to guess if you've seen this particular movie. Yep, Lucian wants his Casino and villains are popping up everywhere. Yeah, Owen just can't let it go. On to part 2! Glad you're enjoying it!
Clarity
Chapter 54: Broken, Pt 2
Merryweather watched the young woman, who she had watched over from afar, with a bit of concern. Her sisters had gone to check on the situation at the Convent. She should have gone with them, as she knew that Blue would be quick to campaign to maintain her stronghold on power, but her sisters insisted that she stay with Snow while the Prince dealt with things at the hospital. She easily agreed. With the curse broken, there was no telling what moves Narcissa would make now. But Snow seemed a little down.
"Honey…what's going on? I thought you'd be happy that the curse is broken finally," she mentioned.
"Oh…I am, really. I guess…it's stupid," Snow lamented.
"Your feelings are never stupid," Merryweather said. She smiled.
"That's what Charming always tells me," she said. Merryweather smiled.
"Well, that makes him handsome and right, then," she teased.
"It's just hard to forget how we were treated after we woke up and David divorced Kathryn. They weren't even really married…that's just curse stuff. And I don't want to be…but I guess I'm a little bitter," Snow said and then sighed.
"Which is wrong…" she added.
"It's not wrong, honey. You gave up everything and I mean everything for the people of this town and so far, the only apologies you've received have been from Granny. Red believed in you all along, thankfully," Merryweather said.
"So…you don't think I'm a terrible person for having bitter feelings?" Snow asked.
"Of course not…you're the best person I've ever known and I'm very old, honey. I don't look it, but I assure you I am," Merryweather replied, as they shared a hug, just as David came in the door.
"Is everything okay at the hospital?" she asked, as he hugged her.
"Yes…turns out that Greg or Owen's father was alive. We freed him and some other people she had locked down there," he replied.
"In exchange, Emma promised to let him go if he and his father left town for good and if he told us where Regina was. He agreed and said she's at the Cannery. I just came by to get you if you're up for it," he said. She nodded.
"Mind if I tag along?" Merryweather asked.
"Of course not," he replied, as he surprised Snow then by kissing her, which made her practically melt in his arms.
"Not that I'm complaining…but what was that for?" she asked. He smiled.
"Just sensed that you needed it," he replied, as he took her by the hand and led her out. Merryweather smiled and shook her head at the dreamy and dazed look on Snow's face.
It was only a couple of hours to Portland and the agreed meeting place once he had gotten ahold of his Uncle. He knew his father was a bit uneasy about this and wanted to let it go. But Greg couldn't. They deserved revenge and he was convinced that his Uncle might be able to help.
He was former law enforcement, but had left that a long time ago to work as private security for a very wealthy philanthropist whose family had long been obsessed with the paranormal and the occult. Years ago, when he had told his Uncle about his encounter in Storybrooke, he was very interested in finding this place for his employer. But despite leading them to the spot, he could never find the town again, until just very recently.
"Son…getting your Uncle involved in this may not be the best idea," Kurt warned. He knew who his late wife's brother worked for and the multi-millionaire was not above doing shady things to get whatever he decided that he wanted.
"No…it's exactly what we need to do," Greg disagreed. His Uncle's father was an attorney and had also worked for this same family during the time that Kurt went missing. At the time, his Uncle was in law enforcement and became employed by this family shortly after Kurt's disappearance. At the same time, his Uncle's original employer, who had been very intrigued by his tale of Storybrooke, was gone too and his business was now taken over in equal ownership by his children. But they shared the same intrigue when it came to the supernatural.
Greg parked next to a black Sedan and a man in a suit exited the vehicle. Kurt recognized him as his brother-in-law, who seemed to be doing very well these days. If he didn't know better, he would say Edward Deranian looked every bit the part of his late father, high powered attorney to a multi-million dollar familial empire, Lucas Deranian. But he knew his brother-in-law's skills in the law provided the Bolt family with the expertise of a former federal agent practically turned bodyguard, mercenary, or whatever other task they needed carried out that would expand their wealth and Empire.
"So it's true…" Edward uttered in disbelief, as he stared at Kurt.
"It is…I found it again, finally, after all these years and made them tell me where he was," Greg said, as Eddie smiled at his nephew with pride. Kurt immediately didn't like it, for it seemed that it was his late wife's brother that had been molding his son into this man he barely recognized over the years.
"And the town…it's still there?" Eddie asked. Greg nodded.
"I have the whole story this time. What is there…and who is there. They made me promise to leave with my father and never return or they would arrest me. But their threats won't hold if we return with the right resources," Greg said.
"Son…we shouldn't go back there. We have a new lease on life now," Kurt interjected.
"They locked you away for thirty years…and you don't want to seek revenge?" Eddie asked. Kurt sighed.
"No…and those that finally freed me are victims of the same woman that locked me away in the first place," he said.
"Father…" Greg interrupted.
"No son…punishing an entire population for the actions of one is wrong," Kurt said sternly.
"Easy Kurt…we have no intention of harming anyone. We would only go to observe and interact. But first, you should tell me and my employers everything. I'll call ahead and there will be a hot meal waiting for us as well," he said, as he ushered them toward the large sedan, which had a driver.
"Owen…let's just go home," Kurt pleaded.
"I had no home when you disappeared, Dad. Uncle made sure I was taken care of and told me we would find out what happened to you. He clothed me, saw to it that I had a place to live, and an education. His employers specialize in things we don't understand in this world and I am Greg now," he said. Kurt was horrified, but was silent. He knew how dangerous Eddie could be and how ruthless his employers were. It was why his late wife had broken away from her brother and had little to do with him. When he had told Owen to run and find his Uncle when they faced separation, he had been talking about his own brother. But instead, his son had run straight to his wife's brother and been sucked into his supernatural and occult obsessed cult.
If he kept quiet for now and went along, there was still a chance he could get through to his son. If he didn't, then his fate would be more bleak than being locked up in a cell.
"Dad…are you coming?" Greg asked. Kurt deflated and then nodded.
"Of course, son," he answered, as he cast a wary gaze at Eddie, before getting into the sedan. Once they were all inside, it drove away.
"How do you even know how to use one of these things?" the man asked his sister, as she sat at a screen with a keyboard.
"We may have been locked up since the 80's, but I still know what a computer is and judging by how slow this thing is, it's probably from the 80's, just with a better monitor," she commented. He scoffed. Her brother was all action and never had much time for her softer, quieter approach.
"He's dead…" she mentioned. That peaked his interest.
"Bolt is dead?" he asked, with hope in his voice. She nodded.
"Deranian too…but it looks like what they started is bigger than ever," she said gravely, as she scanned articles about the Bolt family and their Empire. Most articles mentioned their fascination with the occult and supernatural things. Then there were articles that outright called them a cult, but those were seen as conspiratorial. After all, how could such an affluent family, which donated billions to charities and had their hands in almost everything, be a bad thing?
"So his kids are running things now…when did he have kids?" the young man asked.
"We weren't there long enough to know much about him, Tony. Plus, that was more than thirty years ago," she reminded him.
"I guess…so what now, Tia?" he asked.
"That man who the Savior and her father apprehended is connected to Deranian. If they let him go…it was a mistake," she replied.
"Then we better tell them everything," he said, as she got up from the computer and they made their way out.
The white sedan pulled up and Narcissa got out of it, before telling her driver to wait. She approached Lucian, who was standing in front of a blank field, just beyond the reservation. It used to be farmland, but the workers he had hired had cleared it all away, preparing it for the construction workers that would soon break ground.
"I see you're wasting no time at all," she mentioned. He smirked.
"The tribe is mine again and my brothers are running to your niece for help," he said. Narcissa scoffed.
"That's a fool's errand, because I plan to crush her to dust beneath my stiletto," she mentioned.
"Perhaps, but do not underestimate the heroes. She is formidable and draws people to her like moths to a flame. Her husband and her daughter are warriors as well, but the challenge will be exhilarating," he said.
"If you say so," she said flippantly.
"Did you persuade your business associates to invest in our little gem of a town?" he asked. She smirked.
"Oh, there won't be much persuasion needed. Mr. Mendell is telling them everything about Storybrooke as we speak. They will be very interested in visiting and annexing us into their Empire. Your Casino will be built and running before you know it. Not to mention, all the other plans for this place," she said.
"Once the world finds out about this fairy tale paradise, it will become the number one attraction in the country. Maybe the world," she added.
"They will fight us," Lucian warned.
"Like you said, that just makes it more fun," she said, as she turned to leave.
"Care to join me back at your bar? I could go for your finest bottle of champagne," she replied.
"I just imported some. Shall we?" he asked, as he followed her to her car and they left for town.
Maleficent, now in her human form, stood on a cliff overlooking Storybrooke. In her hand, she held the golden egg that Prince Charming had once placed between her dragon gills to hold. At Rumpelstiltskin's instruction, of course. There was magic inside it…she could feel it. It was also probably why she was able to transform, once she had finally gained the presence of mind to will it so. She knew he had once said he was going to make a true love potion and it made sense that he had done so by using hairs from Snow White and Prince Charming.
"Give the potion to me and I can give you what you want," a voice said. Maleficent glared at the fur clad woman, as she turned around.
"You are the reason I lost my egg in the first place," she said, glaring at her. Cruella smirked.
"Oh dahling, I was hoping Snow and her delicious Charming would unknowingly do it for me, but even putting fear in them about their own child's destiny wasn't enough to get them to commit an atrocity. They failed, but mummy made sure your little dragon escaped to the Land Without Magic with me," she said.
"All for a potion?" Maleficent asked tearfully.
"I need my powers back…I need to kill. You have no idea the humiliation I've been through. Few have interest in my brilliant designs. Not many want to wear fur. Fortunately, I married into money. He was dripping with wealth and even more of a detestable human being than me," she replied.
"That's hard to believe," Maleficent commented sourly. Cruella smirked.
"Yes…and now that he's gone, I'm a very rich woman, though I'm still fighting his brats for my piece of the business. But that potion…is my way to supreme rule," she said.
"You're truly insane if you believe I'll give this to you," Maleficent hissed. Cruella smirked.
"I know where your daughter is…you'll give it to me and once I consume it, I will be the one and only with magic," she replied.
"No…I'll find help from someone else to find her. They'll help me and they won't ask for anything in return," Maleficent said. Cruella burst out laughing.
"You mean the Charmings?" she asked.
"Yes…they're heroes and finding people is what they do. They'll find my Lily and we'll make sure you never have your powers returned to you," she replied, as she turned back into her dragon form, consuming the egg to keep it safe again, and flying off. Cruella smirked smugly.
"We'll see, dahling," she said.
Snow and Charming hurried into the cannery, hand in hand, with Merryweather following. They were about to make their way up to the rafters to find Regina when Max Waters, better known as Knight Rivers, who ran the cannery these days, got in their way.
"What the hell do you think you two are doing?" he asked. David's jaw clenched, as did his fist.
"We're here looking for Regina. We have information that she was brought here against her will. Now move," David replied.
"Who's going to make me? You, Prince Charming?" he questioned in a sing-song voice, getting the laughs he desired from his buddies.
"Don't you work for Regina? She's in danger," Snow said.
"Not anymore, Princess…I'm employed by Lucian Blackwater these days," he answered.
"Figures…scum always finds scum," David said. He expected Rivers to throw a punch after that and was ready, as he caught the Knight's fist and easily twisted his arm, getting him in a headlock. He had his arm in a primed position so that with one twist, he could break it. Not that he would, but the other man was completely stunned and immobilized, not to mention embarrassed in front of his friends now.
"Dang…you went soft during your curse days. Been bending your arm with beers instead of weights these days, huh?" David joked.
"Screw you…" Rivers growled.
"No thanks…you're not my type and you're going to jail for attempting to assault an officer," David said, as he cuffed him to a pole.
"Anyone else want to go to jail today?" he asked. None of the others said a word and avoided the Prince's gaze. Snow hooked her hand on his elbow, as they continued on upstairs.
"Do you have any idea how much I want to be alone with you right now?" she whispered. He smirked.
"Feeling is mutual…you're my one and only type, after all," he whispered back.
"Oh, I'm going to rip all your clothes off when we get home," she promised. He chuckled.
"I'll hold you to that," he said.
"I can hear you both," Merryweather commented and then laughed, as Snow's face went red.
"Oops…" she said.
"Well…at least Emma didn't hear us. She'd be trying to put her head in the oven if she did," he reasoned, as they finally got upstairs and saw the room where Regina was lying. They rushed in and started undoing the restraints.
"Are you okay?" Snow asked.
"I'm fine…where is he?" she asked.
"Gone…we helped him find his father and made them leave. No jail if they promised never to return," David replied.
"You idiots let them go!?" she cried.
"Oh I'm sorry…would you rather us have just forgotten about you and let you starve to death on this table?" David retorted.
"He's right…they made a deal so he would tell us where you were. You owe them your life…again," Merryweather snapped and she glared at the Queen.
"Oh look…another cheerleader in Snow White's corner. That's new," Regina said sarcastically.
"You are unbelievable!" David raged.
"No one in this entire town would have lifted a finger to save you, but we did, because it was the right thing to do," he added.
"Congratulations…you're a hero," she replied sarcastically.
"Oh I'm about to be when I lock you up in a jail cell and the whole town cheers," he retorted.
"David…stop," Snow pleaded and he pulled back for her sake. Regina smirked.
"Nice to know you're still on a short leash, Charming," she commented.
"You stop too!" Snow snapped, surprising her step-mother.
"He is not on a leash. He loves and supports me, not that you would know what that looks like," she added, making Regina feel a bit sheepish.
"You should be in prison for all the things you've done to everyone in this town, but we're letting you go home to Henry, so once in your life, just be grateful and hope the rest of the town doesn't come after you with pitchforks!" Snow said, silencing her, just as a bluebird flew in a window and landed on her shoulder. David recognized that look and waited, as she listened.
"What is it?" he asked, once the bird flew away.
"It's from Chief Firebird and his brother. They said they need to meet urgently with us," she said. He took her hand.
"Let's go," he said, as Merryweather and Regina followed them.