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)
Tony: Tom Holland
Tia: Anna Sophia Robb
Aleister Bolt: Michael Sheen
Marina Bolt: Tamara Braun
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:
BlueWolf919" Yes, August should be hiding, but unfortunately, he's been captured.
Zariah: Yep, it always comes back to the Toll Bridge. The media is a huge problem, but you're right, as you'll find out, the Feds are way worse. Thanks, glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, it's always back to the Toll Bridge. Yep, David is irritated and Whale would end up getting punched. Thankfully, Nurse Fawn to the rescue. Yep, it's already started and the media is now a huge problem. But probably worse is Feds. Narcissa is still unhinged and obsessed. She has a really dastardly plan. Thankfully, Regina is seeing the error in her ways or if only realizes that Narcissa is a bigger threat. She totally is going to double agent her. Yeah, Lily is totally brainwashed and even August doesn't deserve this. I know, Charming in leather. I can't help myself. Yep, Snowing met before they knew and created a magical baby sapling! As if their story wasn't already perfect. Glad you're enjoying it!
Ghostwriter: Yep, cunning Regina is great, especially when it's working for the side of good. Hopefully, Lily can eventually be reached. Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!
Clarity
Chapter 64: In the Shadows of the Troll Bridge
After managing to dodge reporters by going the backway through the woods, they finally arrived at the Toll Bridge.
"It always seems to come back to this place," Snow mentioned, as they stood before it, hands joined.
"It makes sense. We fell in love here…you found me after I wandered away from the hospital here. It makes sense that a physical symbol of our love might be somewhere around here," David said.
"The question is where," Emma replied.
"We better get to looking," Merryweather said, as they began to trudge in the woods and brush around the bridge.
"We've come so far from the time when you were sleeping out there near the bridge in a tent," Snow mentioned. He smiled.
"Yeah…it seems like a lifetime ago. We were so desperate to be together, yet willing to be apart for Emma," he recalled. She smiled and stepped on some soft ground. She yelped, as she lost her balance and he was quick to catch her, before she hit the ground. She looked up at him and smiled.
"There you are…always catching me," she said in a dreamy tone. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"And I always will," he said.
"Guys…I love you, but if you start making out, I'm leaving," Emma complained. They shared an amused smile and he started to stand up with her when something caught his eye.
"Charming?" she asked, as she noticed his stare.
"There's a cave," he replied, as he set her on her feet and crouched beneath the bridge, before brushing some overgrowth out of the way, revealing a cave.
"Well, look at that," Merryweather said, as they exchanged looks and then entered the cave.
"It's a weird place for a cave," Emma mentioned.
"Which probably means something," David said.
"Yeah…like that," Snow replied, as she pointed at the green glow ahead of them. They followed her and entered the mouth of the cavern, where a baby sapling rested in all its glory before them.
"Wow…it is real," Emma said in amazement.
"It's beautiful…but how do we use it?" Snow asked, as they touched it together and all the memories of their time together, including that first meeting they were previously unaware of, flashed in their minds. They shared a smile and then an idea occurred to Emma.
"I think I know how we can use this to our advantage," she said, as all attention turned to her.
"Aleister Bolt is drawn to all things rare and obviously wants to exploit us to the world, so taking the sapling with us and presenting it to him would spark his undivided attention," Emma said.
"Which could get us really close to him without as many guards," David replied.
"It's as good as any plan we can probably come up with, because short of this, Aleister will make sure he keeps his distance, while the media mobs us," Merryeweather said.
"Perfect…now we just need to get back to the apartment with this," Snow replied, as they began the trek back to town through the woods and in the back way.
Once they got up to the loft door though, they found Regina waiting for them.
"It's about time. Where have you been?" she asked, as she noticed the glowing green sapling in Snow's hands.
"And what's that?" she asked.
"Nice to see you too…what do you want?" Emma replied. Regina rolled her eyes and looked at Snow.
"We need to talk about your psychotic Aunt," Regina said, as David unlocked the door and Regina went into the apartment.
"Please…come right in," he said sarcastically, as they followed her in.
"I'm in no mood, Charming…and you're about to thank me for what I'm about to tell you," Regina replied. He snorted.
"This should be good," he muttered, as Snow gave him a nudge with her elbow.
"Okay…what's so urgent?" Merryweather asked.
"I went to see her at my…her office and she's planning something tomorrow night. Something to hurt you," she said, looking at her step-daughter. Emma raised an eyebrow.
"And she just told you that?" Emma asked.
"No…I pretended that I was interested in helping her with a plan to hurt you," Regina replied. David rolled his eyes.
"Of course you did," he said.
"I was playing her…ask Henry. He has an operation name for it and everything," she replied.
"Operation Mongoose," she added. Emma smirked.
"Sounds like Henry," she said.
"Anyway…Aleister gave her another magic mirror and she went right back to asking the same question she always asks and got the same answer," Regina replied.
"I don't understand her…I never asked for that title," Snow said.
"Maybe not…but she wants it and just killing you isn't good enough for her. She wants to do something to mar your beauty," Regina replied.
"Like what?" Merryweather asked.
"I don't for sure, but she mentioned acid. I think she plans to throw something like it in your face tomorrow night and she thinks I'm on her side," Regina replied.
"But you're not, because she and everyone she's brought to town is the bigger enemy," Emma surmised. She nodded.
"Yes…and I'm trying, for Henry and for me," she replied, which made Snow smile a little.
"So we need to make sure you are as far away from her as possible," David said.
"Yes…and the sapling should be a good distraction for the whole evening," Merryweather replied.
"Sapling?" Regina asked.
"Apparently, Snow and I encountered each other before we knew it. I rescued her from the Woodcutter and never saw her face back in our land, before we met," David explained. Snow smiled.
"There was the first spark of true love when our hands brushed and it created this sapling. Merryweather told us about it and we found it," she continued.
"And what do you plan to do with this?" Regina asked.
"Aleister loves rare things. We figure he'll be enthralled by something so rare and magical. We think it can get us close enough to him without his guards and that's when we'll make a grab for the wand," Emma replied. Regina was stunned and pleasantly surprised.
"That's…actually a decent plan," she said.
"Don't sound so surprised," David replied sarcastically.
"So we can count on you tomorrow night?" Emma asked. She nodded.
"Even if it is only for Henry's sake now…you are no longer my enemies," Regina replied.
"If we can get that wand…we can get rid of these outsiders, that stupid Casino, and anything that threatens our lives in the blink of an eye," she added.
"The question is what do we do with the wand after we seal Storybrooke off with a new barrier. It's too much power for one person," Snow interjected.
"It's a wand…Blue will make her case as head fairy that she should have it and that cannot happen. The magic in it was made by your love. We either vanquish it or release the magic from it and give it to the whole town," Merryweather said.
"Like Gold originally intended," David replied.
"Do you trust him?" Regina asked.
"A few months ago I would have said hell no…but since Neal came along, he's definitely trying to be better. Like you, I suppose," David replied.
"Let's focus on getting it first…then we can decide how to deal with that power," Emma suggested. They agreed on that for now and Regina left, as did Merryweather. Emma sighed and plopped down on the couch.
"How about some cocoa?" David asked.
"That would be great," Snow replied, as she sat down beside their daughter, who turned on the television. But that would not yield anything good, as what they saw shocked them. David heard them gasp and quickly came over to see what they were seeing. It was on the local channel and it was August, having been strung up on actual puppet strings, while Walsh narrated his sordid story.
"And if you're just joining us, this is a new segment I like to call Fairy Tale theater, where you'll be treated to the real story behind a different subject each evening and tonight, we've regaled the real story about none other than Pinocchio, whom, as you can see, did not remain a real boy. Probably because he became a lying thief, but don't worry, we've seen that he's returned to his rightful place," Walsh said.
"Crap…not even August deserves this," Emma commented.
"Agreed…and any of us could be next," David said.
"No…we'll get that wand," Snow said, as she looked at them with determination.
"We have to."
Narcissa stormed into the Casino and looked around at all the new tourists, enjoying it. She saw Lucian at the center of the Casino floor, wining and dining some people in suits. Investors most likely and she approached.
"Ahh…Ms. Blake, so nice of you to visit us. These are some potential investors that have come to see our humble little town," he boasted.
"Gentlemen, this is Narcissa Blake, our new Mayor and the namesake behind Blake Fashions," he said.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," she said, as she looked at him.
"I need to speak to you now," she said. He smirked.
"Please have a look around and I will be right back," he said, as they walked away.
"Do you have what I asked for?" she questioned.
"You mean the vat of acid you plan to throw in your niece's face tomorrow night?" he asked.
"Yes…" she hissed.
"It's not something easily transported, but I had some put into a small canister that you can bring with you. It's being delivered to your office. You'll only have one shot to get her," he said.
"I only need one…and once I do, my status as the fairest will be restored," she replied.
"My dear…you are quite unhinged. You have control of this entire town and your niece is but a spectacle. You should take my advice…and quit while you're ahead. Snow White has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. If you force her hand, I fear it is you that will be ruined," he warned.
"Save your advice…she has to suffer. When I'm done, people will gasp at the sight of her scarred and deformed face and she'll hide in shame. Even her precious Charming will have trouble looking at her," she said. Lucian rolled his eyes.
"If you say so…enjoy your revenge then and hope it doesn't backfire in your own face," he said, as she stormed out and he returned to his investors.
"Can we see your reservation?" one of them asked. He smirked.
"Of course…as the new Chief, I have already made significant upgrades to the quality of life on the rez," he said, as he gestured toward the exit.
"Don't worry…we'll be ready for anything and to assist with your plan," Billy said, as he hung up the phone and looked at Mathias.
"Do you really think we can succeed in obtaining the wand?" he asked.
"David seems to be confident. He said they discovered something today that may be enough distraction to make a move," Billy replied.
"And?" Mathias asked, knowing there was more.
"Narcissa Blake also has devised a plot to throw acid in Snow White's face. The Queen is acting as a double agent and informed them of her plan. It would seem your instincts were correct about her," Billy replied. Mathias smiled.
"A storm between light and dark has been warring inside the Queen for a very long time. But as it always does, love is winning," he said wisely.
"I just can't wait until these outsiders are gone and we can vanquish Lucian once again. He's already started up the drug trade here and the prostitution, not to mention the gambling. We're going to lose young people if he continues as Chief," he said.
"Do not fear, brother…the spirits are clear in this. True love will win the Final Battle," Mathias replied and that gave great comfort to Billy.
That evening, there was a knock at the Gold residence and Belle stood up to look out the peephole. What she saw made her gasp.
"Belle?" Gold asked.
"It's two men with FBI insignia," she said. Neal sighed.
"Feds…they're here for me," he replied.
"They're not getting you," Gold insisted.
"And without magic, there's not much we can do to stop them. They've probably got a warrant and they'll search the whole place," Neal said, as they knocked again.
"Maybe not…the basement has a panic room beneath the floorboard. The entrance looks like the floor and isn't easily identified," Gold said.
"Go…I'll stall them," Belle replied, as they headed downstairs. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Federal agents ma'am…we have a warrant to search the premises for Neal Cassidy. He's wanted in two states for Grand Larceny. In light of his status as a longtime fugitive, this case has become a federal matter," one of the agents said.
"Oh…well, Neal isn't here," she replied.
"We still have to search the house," the other agent said, as they barged their way in. Gold returned from the basement and stood by, seething, as they turned the house upside down.
"Nothing…" one agent said.
"Then the basement," the other replied, as they went down there and flipped on the lights. They shined their flashlights around too, as the lighting wasn't the best, but saw nothing.
"Clear," one said, as they headed back upstairs.
"If you have contact with Neal Cassidy…you should contact us immediately," one agent said, as he tried to hand his card to Gold, but he remained stoic and refused. The agent placed his card on the coffee table and the two agents left. Belle sighed in relief and closed the door, before locking the deadbolt.
"They're gone," she called into the basement and Neal emerged.
"Yeah…so we need to get that wand and this is coming from someone who hates magic," he said.
"We will," Gold replied with determination.
David and Emma managed to patrol the next morning, even as reporters trailed them and followed them around.
"I fail to find what they think is so fascinating," David grumbled, as they came out of Granny's with a couple of coffees and got back into the patrol car. Emma sighed.
"Yeah…I can't wait until tonight so we can get that damned wand," she said, as her phone rang.
"Hey Neal…where have you been? I was worried when you weren't returning my texts," Emma said.
"Sorry…I've been laying low. The Feds searched my Dad's place last night. They have a warrant out on me. A Federal one," he said.
"Oh my God…how did they not find you?" she asked.
"Thankfully, my dad has a very well hidden and inconspicuous panic room he had put in the basement. Probably from all the times back in our land that the soldiers came and took young boys away to send them to war back in our land," he explained.
"Well…that means you can't come tonight. You need to stay in hiding," she said.
"No…I'm going to be there. I'm going to be where you and my son are. I'll stay in the shadows until it's time to make our move for the wand," Neal replied.
"Okay…just be careful," Emma said.
"You too…I'll see you later," Neal replied, as she hung up the phone.
"That didn't sound good," David said.
"The Feds have a warrant out on Neal. They tossed Gold's place last night. Fortunately, they didn't find him, but that won't hold long," she replied.
"No…we'll get the wand and this will be over. It's the only way," David said, as Emma froze and was looking at something.
"Speaking of the Feds…" she said, as he turned to his window and found an agent there. He signed and rolled the window down.
"We need to speak with you, Mr. Nolan…and you Ms. Swan," the agent said.
"It's Deputy Nolan and Sheriff Swan. We're law enforcement too," David responded.
"Not according to the United States government. You're lucky that Congress is still debating on what to do with this town. Some would have the military in here already and all the citizens of Storybrooke detained. Some aren't in favor of such extremes, but make no mistake, neither of you have any authority in this situation," the agent said. David clenched his fists and glared back at the agent.
"If we're not recognized as law enforcement…then why the hell would you think we'd abide by any of your laws?" David retorted.
"If you don't answer our questions, we'll be forced to arrest you and lock you up in your own jail," the agent countered and Emma put a hand on her father's arm.
"Dad…" she whispered. He sighed.
"Fine…what do you want to know?" he asked.
"Have you seen Neal Cassidy recently?" the agent asked.
"Can't say that I have," David answered.
"And you Ms. Swan?" the agent asked.
"No," she answered.
"And you expect us to believe that?" the agent asked.
"We don't really care what you believe. We answered your questions and now we'll be going," David replied, as he put the car in gear and they drove away.
"This is getting scary…" Emma admitted. David looked over at her and then reached for her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze,"
"We'll get that wand…" he said.
"And if we don't?" she asked. He looked ahead, as he drove them home.
"Then we get everyone we can and escape town," he replied.
"Witch Mountain?" she asked. He nodded.
"It's the last resort…but it's still on the table," David replied, as they parked and sneaked into the building through the back and up to the loft. Once they entered, Emma went up to the loft to get ready, while David went behind the current to get ready himself. He stopped though and was stunned by the vision before him. Snow turned to him and smiled.
"What do you think?" she asked, as he saw her in her white ball gown, which had a good overlay and accents, which would compliment the embellishments on his attire.
"Wow…I know you don't like that phrase, but you really are the fairest, most beautiful woman in all the realms," he said. She smiled coyly.
"I don't mind it so much when it comes from my handsome husband," she replied, as he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I just wish this ball was a happy occasion," he said. She smiled.
"It will be when we win and we'll celebrate with a family dinner at Granny's once this is all over," she replied. He smiled and kissed her tenderly again.
"Guess I better get ready," he said, as he went to change and she put a hand to her stomach.
"And that family will soon be plus one," she said quietly to herself. She wanted to tell him right away…but she knew their focus had to be on tonight's mission.
"We'll tell him after this is over, little one…" she whispered.