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:
Jennifer Baratta: No, Emma doesn't need more problems right now with August. Glad you're enjoying!
Willow's Poppies: Thanks, glad you're enjoying!
Ghostwriter: No, things will definitely not be easy for Maleficent or Snowing. Yes, the dwarves are looking out for themselves. Thanks, glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yes, Aleister is going to have a field day with August. I'm glad she found him too though. Yes, unfortunately, Lily wants nothing to do with Maleficent. Yep, there is some dissent with the dwarves. Yep, it seems everyone is blaming Snow for the curse. But she still has some that are loyal. I know, I don't like seeing Snow sad either. Yep, George is wasting no time in causing trouble. Yep, David will always find her. Yep, he's going to expose Storybrooke.
TrianaMoon: Yes, things seem bad for the Charmings and allies. Yes, Pinocchio could help turn public opinion against Blue. Ok, I have discord, but I've never used it so we can stick to PM's. Glad you're enjoying the story.
SnowQueenobsessed: Thanks, glad you like this take on season 1 and all the twists and turns. This story is updated every other Sunday. Yeah, the town turning on them is very hard to see. Glad you're enjoying!
Clarity
Chapter 61: Only Human
"Sheriff's Department…open up," she called, but heard no one respond so she knocked again.
"Sheriff's department…" she called again and this time, she heard a voice croak a response.
"It's open…" he said, clearly male in tone. She opened it up and stepped inside.
"Hello?" she called, as she scanned the inside and finally saw someone laying on a seat inside.
"Hello Emma…" August, who was now very much completely wooden, said.
"August…" she uttered. The corners of his wooden mouth turned upward slightly.
"I'd say in the flesh…but yeah, there's none of that left," he replied.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I turned back to wood…completely," he stated.
"But I broke the curse…I thought that was supposed to fix you?" she asked. He struggled, but managed to sit up.
"Me too…but the opposite happened when the rainbow wave washed over me. I guess…I haven't been selfless, brave, and true. The Blue Fairy warned me I had to be or I would turn back to wood," he said.
"That's crap…no one can be selfless, brave, and true all the time. Flaws are what make us human and if she doesn't get that, then she knows nothing about what it means to be human," Emma replied. He smiled.
"She is a Fairy…and strives for perfection," he said.
"Well, she lied to my parents so she falls just as short as the rest of us in the perfection department," she replied, as he got up.
"We need to get you back to town," she said.
"I can't go back there, Emma," he replied.
"You have to…do you have any idea what's happened since the curse broke?" she asked.
"No…I haven't kept up," he replied. Emma huffed and sat down.
"Then get ready for a crash course and then we're going back to town," she said, as she proceeded to explain recent events.
Snow and David approached Granny's hand in hand, with Red following them and saw the gathering there that consisted of everyone that George had managed to whip into a frenzy.
"Well…there you are. The reason we're here at all and have been splashed all over the television and Internet for all to see," George said. Snow glanced at Granny, who nodded.
"They're breaking the story right now. That rich prick was true to his word and has some reporter showing the videos they have. With context," she explained.
"We're about to become a tourist trap and we'll be lucky if we don't all end up in a government facility somewhere," George spat.
"And it's her fault that we're here in the first place," he added, as rumbles of agreement spread through the crowd.
"Wrong…we're here, because of Regina and her curse," David retorted.
"Yet the Queen walks free, because once again, Snow White is reluctant to punish her stepmother for her crimes. She's as unfit to lead as you are, shepherd," George said.
"You mean lead like you did? Before I came along, you led your Kingdom into bankruptcy," David reminded.
"Your coffers were empty so you sacrificed your son, my brother, for gold and when he died, I took his place and you tried to marry me off to fill your coffers," he added, as he saw some of the people exchange glances. Snow placed a hand on his arm.
"We couldn't stop the curse…but we gave up everything to ensure there was an end to the curse and there was, thanks to our daughter," he added.
"What about the Queen?!" Whale shouted.
"She is free, because we have a common enemy and that's Narcissa Blake. She's the reason these interlopers have found their way into town. Only if we all unite can we stand against the danger that these outsiders pose," David said strongly.
"You can't herd us like sheep, shepherd. Why should we follow you, a lowly peasant?" George questioned smugly.
"Because I am just like the people you're pandering to. I know what it is to come from nothing," he said, as he looked to the people.
"He's manipulating you to turn on us. He's always looking to place blame on anyone but himself in a grab for power. He used to be allied with Regina, but as soon as she was out of power, he quickly sided with Narcissa. It's all he cares about, but my wife is different," he announced, as he looked at her.
"She gave up our child to make sure her people would someday get their lives back and their identities. She's your true leader," David said.
"The Blue Fairy has expressed her reluctance to follow you two again. You two are unwilling to punish the wicked and villainous," George countered. David smirked.
"Lucky for you or we would have executed you back in our land instead of just taking your Kingdom," he said, as there was agreement in the crowd with that. George frowned.
"And the Blue Fairy has proven that she may not be the best council. She lied to us about the wardrobe and it jeopardized our daughter's life. She should have had us or at least her mother to guide her, but she was alone in this world, abandoned and it haunts us every day," Snow said, as she looked at Marco and Archie, as she spotted them in the back.
"But this Blue Fairy and her sisters have proven to be far more trustworthy than Reul Ghorm," Snow added, as she smiled at Merryweather.
"I'm disappointed in you, Snow…" Blue chided, in an attempt to shame her.
"Likewise," David retorted coldly.
"She lied…because of me. I asked her to," Marco said.
"She didn't have to do as you asked," David replied.
"You would do anything for your daughter! I would do anything for my son! I was desperate! You have your daughter now…I have no son," Marco said.
"That's not true, Papa…" a voice said, as heads turned to find Emma there with a wooden August. Snow gasped and exchanged a glance with her husband.
"My…my boy…" Marco uttered, as he went to him, as Emma joined her parents, who hugged her between them, with her father cradling her head.
"It's good to finally see you, papa," August said.
"But…what happened?" he asked.
"I guess I wasn't selfless, brave, and true. The curse broke and I turned back to wood," he replied.
"I'm sorry August…but this was the price of magic," Blue said.
"You set him up for failure from the beginning!" Emma exclaimed, as all eyes turned to her again.
"No one is selfless, brave and true all the time. Being human means making mistakes and hopefully learning from them. You told him he had to be perfect, ensuring that he was doomed to fail, as any of us would, from the start," she added.
"Emma…you don't understand," Blue started to lecture.
"Oh I understand perfectly. We've heard about all the "help" you've given to others or rather all the people you've screwed over, including me and my parents," Emma said.
"She's right…and I'm just one in your long line of victims," Neal added, as he arrived with his father, who was enjoying seeing Blue be called out so publicly.
"Magic always has a price…ask the Dark One," Blue retorted.
"Yes…it does, but it always seems a bit steeper than it needs to be with you, dearie," Gold hissed.
"I know everything you've been up to…things that no one else knows," he added, as she looked a little worried.
"And I know things about you too, Dark One…" she challenged, as they stared each other down.
"Another reason not to trust the Charmings…they side with the Dark One!" George announced, creating commotion among the crowd.
"Things are never that black and white," David said.
"The scrutiny that's about to be on you and your wife will cause untold consequences, thanks to your theatrics in killing that beast," George countered.
"I fought Malachi to save my wife and anyone else that might get in his way. Have you ever picked up a sword to defend anyone but yourself? Or are you content just to send your soldiers to die for you? Including my brother," David replied. George growled and grabbed David by the collar, but Charming was far stronger and easily broke away from his hold.
"Ladies and Gentlemen…you can follow true leaders in Snow and Charming or you can follow this snake, who cares only for himself and his own power. Trust me…I'm a fairy too and know all about the disgraceful King George," Merryweather said, as she looked at Blue.
"And if you follow Reul Ghorm, she'll eventually betray you too," she added.
"Careful Merryweather…there is no magic here now, but if there ever is, it's talk like that which will give me cause to take your wings," Blue warned. But Merryweather smirked.
"Go right ahead, honey…this is a new world, as if you haven't noticed. I never should have obeyed you then when you ordered me away from Snow, but I won't make that mistake again. This family and this town will be protected by me and my sisters…especially from the likes of you," she announced.
"Well…I guess lines have been drawn. We'll see which side comes out on top," George said, as he walked away, taking a portion of the crowd with him, but a significant amount did not follow. It wasn't a complete win and meant division in the town, but Emma knew they were on the right side and they would eventually win over most.
"So…how bad do you think the world is freaking out right now?" Ruby asked the blonde. Emma sighed.
"It's hard to say. I mean…to be honest, there's a lot of people that don't believe in anything, even when it's right in front of them. I know, I used to be one of them," she said.
"So you think that they might think it's all fake?" Snow asked, with hope in her voice.
"Yeah…probably. I mean, the internet is full of fake stuff and CGI videos," Emma replied.
"I hate to rain on your optimism, but Aleister plans to open this place up as a tourist attraction. Some are going to see up close and personal. And probably soon," Neal said.
"Then we hope our little plan that's in the works soon pays off," David said.
"We need a back up if it doesn't," Gold reasoned.
"Witch Mountain…it can get us all out of this," Neal said.
"Except getting everyone there without being stopped is a long shot," Emma replied.
"So we make this place seem as normal as possible," Neal said. Emma looked at him incredulously.
"Uh…how the hell are we going to do that with Mr. Wizard over there using his wand like he's in some twisted version of Fantasia?" Emma questioned. He smirked.
"He's the only one with magic right now. He can put on his shows for the popcorn brigade, but we know that most people have the attention span of a goldfish," he said.
"Once they see that, despite the fancy magic shows at the shiny new Casino, the rest of the town is pretty normal and small, they'll lose interest," Neal said.
"I don't know…" Emma said skeptically.
"Come on…the town itself is still stuck in the eighties, including most of the technology. Our one screen movie theater is still showing Return of the Jedi, for crying out loud," he replied, making her snicker.
"Yeah…the Casino is still a problem though. It's going to attract people and he's going to keep growing and updating things around here," Emma said. He sighed, knowing she was right.
"We're forgetting something else too," Merryweather interjected.
"What's that?" Snow asked.
"This town has existed outside the country's government for twenty-eight years now. In addition to tourists, we may soon have the federal government here as well," she warned.
"Great…we are all going to end up in a government facility somewhere," David replied.
"Witch Mountain is our escape then…we have to figure it out, unless we get that wand," Snow said.
"If we can get this wand, we can cloak the town and expel the outsiders for good. We'd never be able to leave…but it's the best solution," Gold replied.
"Yeah…because the Internet is blowing up and people on social media are saying they're already planning to make their way here to see it in person," Red added, as she scrolled her phone.
"Seriously?" Emma asked.
"The video of David fighting the werewolf already has twenty millions views in just thirty minutes. This thing is going nuclear," Red replied.
"We need that wand…or you two won't be able to go outside without being mobbed," Gold warned, as he looked at the pair of true loves. Snow leaned her head against his arm. All that attention and scrutiny on her husband worried her for his safety greatly.
"Then we need a plan…and we need a good one," David said, as Maleficent approached.
"I want to help," she said.
"Oh you helped…" David retorted. She paused for a moment.
"I know…I made a mistake and that a lot of this is my fault," she said.
"You're right about that, dearie," Gold hissed.
"Lily…rejected me. She considers the Bolts her family and wants nothing to do with me. They've brainwashed her too," Maleficent said, as she looked at Emma.
"But maybe you can get through to her," she added.
"Me?" Emma asked. She nodded.
"You were best friends…she might listen if you try to make amends," Maleficent replied.
"I can try…but I brushed her off pretty harshly back then and if she decides that this is her revenge on me, I don't know if she'll listen to anything I have to say," Emma replied, as Maleficent's eyes pleaded with her. She sighed.
"But I'll give it a shot," she relented.
"Thank you," she said.
"For now…we should go eat. It might be the last time we can be in public for a while," Emma said sourly.
"Except we're going to have to still police the town," David added.
"No more foot patrols alone, Dad. It's going to be too risky for you," Emma said. He sighed.
"Em, I've slayed dragons and fought Black Knights," he protested.
"And let me tell you that rabid fans are way worse than both," she countered.
"Agree," Snow said, as he looked at her indignantly.
"Then we are going to need a couple more deputies if we're going to patrol in pairs," David said.
"I'm up for it," Neal said.
"Us too," Tony said, as he and Tia joined them.
"Welcome aboard then," Emma replied, as they went into the diner. Snow stopped him though and he turned back to her.
"Snow?" he asked, as she slipped her arms around his neck.
"I'm worried…about there being so much attention on you," she said. He smiled gently and pulled her close.
"I'll be fine, I promise…" he assured her.
"I know…I guess I'm just fighting that old instinct to run. Part of me wants to take you, Emma, Henry and everyone close to us and run for Witch Mountain," she admitted.
"Who could blame us? We gave up…a lot for people that don't seem to be very grateful," he said, as she rested her head against his shoulder and he kissed her hair.
"Ah…if it isn't my stars," Aleister said, as he arrived with Greg and a man they didn't recognize. Kurt followed them, looking none too happy.
"Go to hell," David spat.
"Oh…now that is not a very nice greeting to the man that has just made Prince Charming an action hero and a household name," he goaded.
"I don't want your fame and attention. Leave us alone," David spat, as they went into Granny's.
"You should check the Internet. They love you," he commented, as they followed them in. Greg seemed to follow his boss and when neither were paying attention, David leaned toward Kurt.
"We need that wand," he whispered.
"It's almost impossible with all his guards. But I heard something that might give us an opportunity," Kurt whispered.
"What is it?" Snow asked.
"Aleister said he wants to throw a grand ball, like the ones you had back in your land and invite everyone. Now, I know you would normally refuse to go to something like that and no one could blame you. But…it could be just the opportunity we need," Kurt answered.
"He's right…getting near him without guards would be impossible, but if he lets us right into the same room with him, we might have a shot," David said. Kurt nodded.
"Thanks for the heads up. We'll just have to surprise him and accept that invitation," he added. Kurt nodded and joined his son, before they could notice they were talking.
"The thought of going to a party thrown by that man is unappealing at best…but this could be it," Snow said. He nodded.
"We get that wand and we don't have to be the ones to leave our new home. We can get that wand to Merryweather and she can fix everything," he replied, as the man that they didn't recognize, started taking photos of them. Emma saw him and approached.
"Who the hell are you?" she asked. He smirked.
"Walsh…nice to meet you, beautiful," he replied.
"My name is Emma and you're going to delete those pictures of my parents while I watch you do it," she demanded.
"Sorry Emma…but there's no law against taking photos of my surroundings and this will be a great follow up to the groundbreaking broadcast I just reported on," he said.
"So you're the reporter…" she said.
"And so much more…maybe we can get a drink sometime," he offered.
"When monkeys fly," she spat in return.
"Granny…can we get that order to go?" she called.
"Already on it," the old woman replied, as it came up and she grabbed it.
"Let's go back to the loft," she said, as she turned to Gold and Neal.
"Are you coming?" she asked. Neal smiled and nodded, as they followed. Things had changed drastically in just a few moments and she didn't like it at all. They needed to fix this and they needed to fix it soon…