#someone properly revive jekyll and hyde please

[follow-the-ghostlight]

The way I have studied this musical since 2016 and have made it one of my longest standing hyperfixations is worrying, because I swear on my rare musical merch I have so many opinions and so many words. I love this musical so much that I plan to audition for a show a company 2 hours away from me is putting on. That is the closest I have ever gotten to being in or seeing this musical.

I have also convinced myself that the musical imploded cause of horrible casting decisions, because, like, HOW CAN YOU GO FROM MULTIPLE AWARDS AND BREAKING RECORDS TO NOW NOBODY’S EVER HEARD OF IT. More people have heard of WAY more niche musicals and it’s baffling to me. WHY oh WHYYY did they have to make the TV special that ALL OF AMERICA COULD SEE be the one with Hasselhoff. Why. Why did he have to be the one. To be frank, he sucks ass as this lead. Like, he’s maybe ok at singing, his acting is cheesy and hammy, and he is just absolutely not fit for that role at all. He’d do fine in an ensemble, but not the lead. He cannot bounce between tenor and baritone effectively, he does not sound or look like a different person when he “changes”, unlike Cuccioli and Warlow, his vibrato is out of control�� I could keep going, but I won’t unless someone wants to hear it in dm or something lol.

And with the revival??? Why did they have to change the aesthetic??? Why did they have to make it over sexualized AND steampunk?? IT’S A GOTHIC MUSICAL!! IT IS NOT A PUNK ROCK CONCERT!! IT IS IN THE EXTENDED TITLE!!! I could go on forever about this. I am so mentally ill. I wrote a 4000+ word, 10-page, cited paper for fun about how it could be properly revived for broadway and although some of my thoughts and ideas have changed, I will definitely die on quite a few hills with the opinions I have. I’ll likely rewrite that paper over the summer or even make a video on YT discussing it, cause I wanted to make a Jekyll & Hyde iceberg video anyway. In any case, thanks for listening to my TED talk.

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 201: The Curse to End All Curses

Jekyll held his nose, as the Queen brewed the ingredients for another curse in a large cauldron, right in the center of Seth's Throne room.

"Does all dark magic smell this foul?" he questioned.

"It's a dark curse, genius. It's not supposed to smell like roses. Besides, you're a scientist. You should be used to foul smells and since you brought it up, you smell like death," she said, crinkling her nose.

"Well, I am at least part demon now," he quipped.

"So how long until this curse is ready?" he questioned impatiently.

"Just as science takes time...so does magic. Keep interrupting me and you will not like what I do," she threatened.

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but as you can imagine, I am eager to embark on my new life and pursuit of the lovely Snow," he said.

"Ugh...I don't need the details on your delusions or obsession with that little retch," she replied.

"And do not forget, Doctor. I still own your soul. You'll continue your work for me...even out there," Mephisto reminded. Jekyll smirked.

"Of course...you need not worry about that. Killing has become quite...thrilling. I never thought I had a taste for such savagery, but when one such as me is continually denied what they desire...it becomes quite satisfying," the doctor replied.

"I don't agree with my step-daughter on much, doctor, but it's no secret as to why she finds you so incredibly repulsive," the Queen commented, as she worked on properly combining her ingredients.

"I do have a knack for picking the most depraved individuals to do my bidding," Mephisto boasted

"I found they are far better than the good, but desperate people I used to tempt. Heroes always find a way to do me dirty," he added.

"And it will turn out to be your final mistake," a voice hissed, as Charming stormed into the Throne room in long strides. He held Winter's hand, as she strode beside him. Seth watched them curiously and the Queen realized that she was right about him. He was intrigued by their dark power and allowed them to attack Mephisto without protest.

Charming momentarily released his beloved's hand and caught Mephisto completely off guard, as he wrapped a hand around the demon's neck and lifted him clean off the floor. He then slammed him hard against the wall and if Mephisto had been a flesh being, such would have certainly snapped some bones. The demon still experienced pain though and cried out, as the dark prince drew the Chalice sword and held it to his chest.

"Did you really think I'd let you get away with what you've done?!" He roared, as he tossed him to the floor. Mephisto coughed and crawled away from the blinding bright light of the sword, as it glowed in agitation in the presence of so much evil.

"Bringing this monster back after what he's done to my wife?! You really thought I'd let that go?!" Charming hissed, as he thrust his sword with intention to impale him. Mephisto cried out and scrambled away from the revenge minded prince. Jekyll chuckled.

"As usual...the idiot with no tact has come barreling in like a mindless fool, flexing his muscles and making threats and to a demon, no less. Not very smart," he chided and then yelped in pain, as there was now a dagger stuck in his abdomen. He looked up at Winter in disbelief.

"Insult my husband again and the next dagger goes in even more painful place," she warned, as she watched him pull it out and use his new powers to heal the wound. He smirked at her.

"Though I do believe I prefer the sweet, but fierce Snow, I definitely appreciate your malevolence, dear Winter. It is quite thrilling," he said and then yelped, as he was hauled off his feet by Charming and chucked into the nearest wall.

"Reminding me of your presence was unwise. Now who's the idiot?" he questioned. Jekyll sneered at him.

"Still you…" he hissed back. Charming growled and sent his sword spinning in a sidewinder fashion, straight at Jekyll. The doctor's eyes widened and he shrieked, as his arm was sliced off, just as the blade returned to his hand. Winter smirked.

"Please tell me his head is next, my love," she cooed to her husband. He smiled at her and gently caressed her face.

"Of course, my darling...I promised you vengeance against this parasite and vengeance you shall have," he said, as Mephisto got to his feet. A curved sword appeared in his hand and ignited with flames.

"Not so fast, handsome. You caught me off guard, but we are not finished," Mephisto growled. Charming turned to him and prepared to engage.

"Then let's up the stakes a bit," he said, as he turned his attention to Seth, who seemed enthralled by the spectacle.

"He's a poor excuse for a second in command and I can prove that I would be a far better choice," Charming proposed.

"You wish to work for me?" Seth asked.

"We wish for power and revenge," Winter answered, as she sided up to her husband.

"And we are a team unlike any other," she added.

"We share a common goal and that is banishing our light halves. They have Mr. Hyde working on a way to force us to reunite with them and therefore deny us the revenge we so deserve," Charming said.

"The young ones will be banished with them, lest you wish I kill the youngest," Seth warned. Those words burned inside them both and they hated having to work with this depraved lunatic, but they knew it was only path to power and revenge...and most importantly protecting their children.

"While it pains us...Charming and I will do anything to protect our babies, even if means Summer and Bobby must go with our light halves. We only ask that our older ones remain with us," Winter answered.

"They could still pose a problem," Seth warned.

"Not with the right curse memories," Charming countered.

"He's right and you'll find no better right hand than my husband. His skills as a warrior are legendary," Winter boasted. Seth looked at them both with a pensive stare, clearly considering it, which horrified Mephisto.

"My Lord...you can't seriously be considering this?" he asked.

"Are you worried that you cannot defeat him in a duel?" Seth questioned. Mephisto swallowed thickly and then puffed his chest out.

"Of course not...he is a peon compared to my power," he boasted.

"Then prove it," he said, as he clutched his blade and circled the Prince.

"With me as his right hand, he won't have to worry about me reviving some useless doctor, who insists on running his own agenda," Charming said.

"And with a right hand like me, you won't have someone trying to fill the fallen realm needlessly with random souls," he added.

"Are you really trying to get us to buy that you and your wife don't have your own agenda?" Mephisto hissed.

"We have been upfront with our agenda. We want revenge and that is nothing that will interfere with Lord Seth's plans. We also share his objective to banish our light halves and have only asked for our older children to remain with us in return," Winter said.

"She's right, as usual," Charming agreed, as he circled with the demon.

"Enough...you'll fight now," Seth ordered and Charming charged at his opponent. Mephisto shuffled along the expanse of the room, furiously blocking Charming's blade in rapid succession.

"You can't defeat me...I've been dueling enhanced mortals and Gods alike for centuries, long before you even existed!" Mephisto boasted. But Charming was silent and ruthless, as his blade glowed and he swept Mephisto's legs out from under him. He spilled to the ground, but used his power to float himself back to his feet, before charging the dark prince with renewed vigor. Charming parried his blade expertly, the power in his blade growing brighter and brighter.

"How...where are you getting all this power?!" Mephisto demanded to know. Charming smirked, as did Snow.

"You still don't get it... do you?" he asked.

"Dozens and dozens of enemies have underestimated the power of our true love and paid dearly for it, as will you," Charming added.

"Piss on your true love!" Mephisto refuted, as he spun his blade rapidly, trying to take control of the duel. But the dark prince kept up easily and refused to yield control of the fight. Charming made an impressive series of slashes, twirling his blade rapidly and a powerful flail of energy from his sword sent Mephisto tumbling head over heels and crashing into the wall. The duel was over and Charming sheathed his sword.

"You weren't lying...that was impressive. Mephisto is not so easily defeated, yet you made him look like a novice fool," Seth said.

"My Lord…" Mephisto croaked in disbelief and then looked at the Queen.

"You of all people cannot be buying into this?! These two have been the bane of your existence!" the demon pleaded.

"Yes...they have. They were nothing but trouble when I tried to keep the apart," she admitted.

"But as much as it pains me to admit it...they are very formidable, especially when they are together. They will be powerful allies, as much as I hate it," the Queen said. Seth studied her for a moment.

"It must have taken a lot to admit that. I know you loathe the idea of having them around," he said.

"You have no idea, but if we want to succeed...then teaming up with them may be vital," she implored.

"Then I have my new right hand," Seth announced.

"My Lord...you cannot be serious!" Mephisto protested.

"You will conform to your new rank or you will be eliminated," Seth hissed, as he looked at his new General.

"I assume you have no qualms about killing him," he prompted. Charming strode toward the demon and extracted his blade

"No...no…" he pleaded.

"Submit...or die. I'm in command now and you'll take orders from me," Charming said. Mephisto growled and wanted nothing more than to choke the life out of the man glaring down at him. But he had been thoroughly and laughably defeated by the dark Prince. He would submit for now...but this was not over by a long shot. He would get back at Prince Charming for this humiliation.

"Of course, Your Highness," he spat out like acid. Charming smirked and Winter practically tackled him with a hug, as he sheathed his sword again.

"You were magnificent, my love," she cooed, as she nuzzled her nose against his.

"Everything I do is for you, my darling," he whispered back, as she kissed him passionately, before they stood arm in arm before Seth.

"When will the curse be ready?" Winter asked.

"By tomorrow," the Queen answered.

"We must prepare and we have much to do," Seth said.

"What about him?" Charming growled, as he glared at Jekyll.

"He has his own mission as a handler for Snow White in the new curse. The Queen has assured me that giving him this position may ensure that Snow and David remain under the happy guise of their curse. The added "adventure" as she put it with him in the mix will keep them distracted," Seth said. But they knew differently.

"I'm inclined to agree. Snow and David do enjoy a good foil to thwart now and then," Winter agreed seamlessly.

"It is time to write the language of the curse then and we will do so to my specifications. By this time tomorrow, the United Realms will be mine. They will fail to remember their former lives and everyone will be loyal to me. Instead of misery, they will be happy in their enslavement to me, knowing nothing else...and the ultimate revenge will be ours," Seth announced. But the Queen knew better. What he said may be true...for a while, but the three of them would retain their memories and had positioned enough pieces to make sure his curse eventually unraveled in likely a rather spectacular fashion. And the best part was...he would never see it coming. When they were finally alone in her potions room, she scanned for any spells or bugs in the room, only speaking when she found none.

"Well...I think he definitely bought it and though I loathe the idea of working with you two idiots, I'll do it for my grandchildren," the Queen whispered.

"We don't like it anymore than you, but we'll do it for our children," David retorted.

"He's right and I can't believe I'm saying this, but between you and Seth, you're the lesser of the two evils," Winter agreed. The Queen smirked.

"And you're marginally less irritating the your rainbow stickers and unicorn kisses version," she jabbed.

"I hate agreeing with you, but if Snow and David had done their part and made dust out of you in the first place, then none of this would be happening," Winter retorted.

"Careful with pointing the blame, sweet cheeks. I can still do this without you," the Queen threatened.

"No, you can't...and you know it. Just make sure the language is correct in the curse and he won't catch on to any of the nuances we're putting in," Charming said.

"That reminds me...we should use blood from you two to cast it. I can disguise it so he thinks it's mine," she said. Winter nodded and used her wand. She put the tip to her forearm and used the magic to draw out some blood, in which the Queen captured in a vial. She then collected a sample from her husband and it was added to the vial as well. Their mixed blood glowed with the magic of their true love and the Queen waved her hand over the vial. With a very good concealment spell, the blood stopped glowing and appeared to be an ordinary sample. Seth would never know until it was too late and would enjoy his control for a time. But ultimately, he would fail and they would eventually seize control...

~*~

When Rumple awoke that morning, he wasn't surprised to find Belle up already with coffee and reading away at the book Rose had given her. He smiled fondly and poured himself a cup of coffee, before topping hers off. She smiled up at him.

"Thanks," she said.

"You've barely put that down since last night. Please tell me that you at least got some sleep," he replied.

"A little...but all of this is so fascinating," she mentioned.

"At first, I wondered why Seth feared the children so much. I mean...they're powerful, but he destroyed Mount Olympus with one effortless blast of magic. But now I know why he fears Bobby so much," Belle said, as she showed him the passage.

"Star seeds that are bonded to the elements can create enough light magic to kill Titans and Gods alike," she said, as he read the paragraph she was referring to.

"How many riddles do we have to decipher before we know how to bond their elements to their star gems?" he wondered. She smirked.

"Not as many as you think. As usual...it comes down to the power of true love. It doesn't mention the specific phrase of truest loves, but it does talk about how true love is the key to weaponizing such power. It all but implies that Snow and David are integral in this as well," Belle said.

"Except that they aren't whole right now and neither is the chalice," Rumple reminded.

"Then we have to hope Hyde has luck in reverse engineering that serum or we may not be able to stop Seth's curse," she said.

"Come on...at the very least we can make sure Bobby bonds his elements to his star seed. Getting the other kids to do so will be essential, but the boy is culmination of all the power in their family, much like Emma was the Savior in the first curse…" Rumple said.

"Bobby may be the Savior to this one," Belle finished his sentence, as they set off to town.

~*~

Amora stepped out of the cave where she had taken refuge in the mountains for the last two days. Fandral had his entire army combing the whole Kingdom for her and she had to admit that he was proving to be even more formidable than she remembered. Still, she was determined to pay him back for his rejection and to do that, she planned to capture his precious Rose.

Fandral feared that she would kill his wife if she got her hands on the little waif and while that was tempting, Amora had decided that killing her was much too simple. It was be far more satisfying to torture the little retch and therein, she would have the ultimate revenge on her former Asgardian lover.

She was positive that she had left enough false clues that her whereabouts were somewhere near the river valleys and she knew Fandral's Knights would be searching there for her. Meanwhile, she was free to sneak back to the castle and ambush Rose Red in her precious library.

"Oh the plans I have for you, dear Rose…" she hissed, as a glowing whip appeared in her hand.

"This will be the perfect start to teach you a very painful lesson," she said.

"You're the only one that's going to get a lesson," a female voice said and the blonde smirked, as she turned.

"My my...he really must be worried about me if he called you in, Lady Sif," she mused.

"Rose Red and her children are under my protection, which means you won't be getting near them," Sif said.

"We'll see," she said, as she lashed at Sif with the whip. The warrior dodged and then charged at the Enchantress, as they engaged in hand to hand combat.

"Just like old times," Amora goaded, as they traded kicks and blows.

"Well...almost. You can come out now, handsome," she called, as Fandral jumped down from the tree above and drew his blade.

"End of the line, Enchantress," he said.

"Oh Fandral...such hostility. We were so good together," Amora said, as she spotted Rose nearby behind the tree.

"Have you told her about how you used to hold me after we made love," she leered, but she yelped in pain, as she was hit with a blast of white energy.

"Seriously...this hag needs to learn when to shut the hell up," Emma said in annoyance, as she and Killian appeared.

"Oh but her type never does, love," he said, as he drew his cutlass.

"Well, well...I see you've called in even more reinforcements. Worried about little old me, lover?" she cooed to him.

"Not worried...just tired of your threats against the woman I love," he retorted.

"There was a time when I was the woman you loved," she reminded.

"No...you spun an illusion and I fell for a mirage. Nothing between us was ever real," he said, as Rose sided up to him and he put his arms around her.

"The only real love I've ever felt is for my Rose," he added. She snarled and wound up with her whip. But her lash was stalled, as she felt someone snag it from behind.

"Let go...brat," she growled, as Leo held the weapon, while Firestorm cawed above, unleashing a fireball directly at her. She rolled out of the way and Leo shot a lightning bolt at her. She smirked and batted it away like nothing.

"I've fought the mighty Thor and handled his power. Yours is nothing compared to that," she goaded.

"Yeah...Fandral said that you're adept at handing lightning powers, but somehow I doubt the same will be said for ice," he said with a smirk. She frowned and barely turned in time to see Elsa unleash a flurry toward her. She tried to counter with her own attack, but the Queen of Arendelle was far more powerful, easily freezing the Enchantress where she stood.

Fandral approached and Emma joined him, as she conjured the item he had asked for.

"One magical urn, courtesy of Rumpelstiltskin," she said.

"And the price?" he asked. She shrugged.

"He may ask for a favor, but I doubt it will be anything unreasonable these days," Emma replied.

"It will be worth it if I can make sure she never comes near Rose again," he agreed.

"You think some enchanted urn can hold me forever? Master Seth will release me once he's in control," she warned.

"We understand that's a possibility...so you won't be staying here in the United Realms," Fandral announced and she frowned.

"That's right...I'll be transporting you back to New Asgard...permanently," Sif revealed.

"No…" Amora growled, as she struggled against Queen Elsa's icy bonds, but it was no use.

"Yep...wave goodbye," Emma said, as she popped the cork on the bottle and the Enchantress let out an enraged scream, as she dissolved into a cloud of smoke and sucked up by the bottle. Once inside, Emma replaced the cork and handed it to Sif.

"Thank you...all of you," Fandral said, deeply grateful for all their help, as Rose put her arms around him.

"We're just glad that at least one of our problems could be dealt with fairly easily," Emma said.

"Yes...it's too bad that we cannot deal with Seth in a similar manner," Leo agreed.

"We must trust that your parents will see us through the conflict with him. They have yet to let us down," Rose said to Emma and Leo.

"Aye...she's right. Putting our faith in true love hasn't let us down yet," he agreed, as Emma smiled at him.

"I will take this bottle home to New Asgard for safekeeping. It will be well protected there and she won't be allowed to be freed," Sif said, as Fandral hugged her and then Rose.

"Be safe...both of you," she urged.

"You too and please visit again soon," Rose replied. She smiled and nodded, as Hermes appeared before them.

"I'm ready," she said to the Goddess. Hermes nodded kindly and they disappeared through the bi-frost.

"We should be getting back to Arendelle," Elsa said. Leo nodded, as they disappeared.

"Us too...Emma has an appointment to keep with Eva at the hospital," Killian said. Rose and Fandral smiled.

"That's right...your first ultrasound. I know Snow and David are ecstatic to see the sonogram of their newest grand baby," Rose mentioned. Emma smiled.

"Over the moon. Mom is already filling our house with baby stuff," she said.

"As she should. Spoiling their grandchildren is what grandparents do, after all," Fandral said.

"You'll keep us informed?" Rose asked. Emma nodded with a smile.

"Of course," she agreed, as the two of them disappeared.

"Well my love...shall we return to the palace?" he asked. She nodded and kissed him tenderly. He whistled and their horse appeared from the trees. He mounted the animal and then held his hand down to her to help her as well. Rose put her arms around her husband and rested her head against his back, as he took the reigns and they slowly galloped down the mountainside path toward home.

~*~

Snow stood outside the exam room at the hospital early that afternoon. Eva was giving Emma her exam and Killian was with her. Then once it was time for the sonogram, she and David would join them. As she thought that, she felt her heart flutter and wasn't surprised to see her husband round the corner. He smiled at her and she greeted him with a kiss.

"Am I late?" he asked.

"No...Eva hasn't called us in yet. Seems like patrol was quick," she mentioned.

"Yeah...it was quiet. Way too damn quiet," he said worriedly.

"Then it's happening...they're planning a curse," she feared.

"Hey...we're going to do everything we can to stop this," he assured, as Eva came out and smiled at them.

"It's time for the ultrasound," she said, as her parents followed her in. Emma smiled at them and they sided up to her, both pressing a kiss to her head. Their eyes met over their daughter's head, as they remembered a moment exactly like this more than twenty years ago when they were here with her during Henry's ultrasound. She had been a scared teen then, but they had been nothing but loving and supportive. And now, she was married and in love with another baby on the way. Despite all they were facing, they knew how blessed their family was.

"Okay...here we go," Eva said, as she operated the machine and rubbed the wand over the solution on Emma's abdomen. They waited impatiently and they saw Eva smile, as she moved the screen for them to see.

"Do you want to know the sex?" she asked. Emma and Killian exchanged a glance, smiling together.

"Aye," Killian answered.

"Well, there she is," Eva said, as she pointed the baby out.

"She?" Emma asked. Eva nodded, as she noticed that Killian was speechless, staring at the screen with wide eyes. He was going to have another daughter.

"Oh look at her…we're going to have another granddaughter," Snow said excitedly to her husband. David was practically in tears himself, as he kissed her cheek.

"We're so happy for you, baby," Snow said tearfully. Eva printed copies of the sonogram images and Snow and David left the room so Emma could dress.

David stared at the image intently and Snow leaned her head against his arm. She could feel his troubling thoughts and knew exactly what he was worrying about.

"David…" she started to say.

"We need to see them...one last ditch plea to get them to stop this. Maybe they'll listen if they see this," he suggested. She nodded.

"We can try," she agreed, as they joined hands and started off for the Toll Bridge.

~*~

"Do you really think that we can all do this?" Summer asked, as she read the passage Belle was talking about, while Bobby trained.

"Rumple thinks so...and your brother showed incredible power last night just out of the blue. You all have at times really," Belle said, as she smiled at the girl and brushed a caramel colored curl away from her face.

"I remember when you were no taller than my knee and using your bubbles like it was second nature," she recalled and Summer smiled.

"Okay...you've learned each element. Now...bring them all forth," Rumple instructed. Bobby wiped the sweat from his forehead and concentrated deeply, as the ground beneath them started to shake.

"He's doing it…" Regina said, as she and Robin looked on. Lightning sizzled along his forearms and water shot up from the ground around him.

"Now the wind…" Rumple urged, as the boy's brow furrowed and the wind nearly blew them all back, while fire erupted from his palm.

"Fire from one...now ice from the other…" Rumple urged, as frozen tendrils formed in his other palm and shot out as well, before he released his powers.

"I did it…" he realized.

"We need to get Snow and David. They should be here if we're really going to have him bring his star seed out," Regina said.

"Snow and David have their mission. This is ours," Rumple refuted.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"If anyone can talk some sense into their darker halves, it's them. And if they can't...this is why we're doing this," Rumple answered.

"Now...bring out the elements again," Rumple instructed, as he did so. Meanwhile, Rumple used his magic, according to the spell in the book, bringing Bobby's star gem out of his chest. It glowed with turquoise green energy and absorbed all the elements. A shock wave was emitted when the bonding was complete and the gem floated back inside Bobby's chest. His eyes glowed for a moment and he looks at his hands, feeling the power coursing through him.

"Let's find my parents...let's stop this curse," Bobby said. The others nodded and they prepared to set out to do just that.

~*~

Snow and David stormed into the palace their counterparts had created and looked around.

"The decor is a little dark, but I guess we shouldn't be surprised," David commented.

"What were you expecting? Painting of birds?" Winter asked, as she and Charming descended their spiral staircase.

"We've come to settle the strife between us once and for all. We need to reunite. It's the only way to defeat Seth and protect our children," Snow said.

"We don't need either of you to protect our children. We've already ensured that," Charming replied.

"What are you talking about?" David questioned.

"It means that Charming is now Seth's right hand and we have ensured the protection of our babies, no thanks to either of you," Winter replied.

"What? You're working for him now?" David asked in horror.

"He defeated Mephisto in a duel, embarrassingly easily too," Winter replied, looking at her husband fondly.

"You can't do this! How is this protecting our children?!" David roared. Charming sighed and unsheathed his sword, before tapping the tip of it to the floor. The room filled with bright light, blinding the four of them and when they opened their eyes, they found themselves in the nether realm, particularly the meadow of the truest loves in which they had discovered years ago in Neverland. Three true love trees sprawled toward the blue sky, each a representation of each pair, including them.

"Why are we here?" Snow asked, noticing that her voice sounded like an echo.

"We need to talk some place where Seth cannot hear us. We fear he has ears everywhere," Charming answered.

"Fine...talk and explain what the hell you were thinking in offering to work for a monster," David growled to his dark half.

"It's a simple concept. We're keeping our enemies close," Winter said.

"She's right. The Queen realized that there was absolutely no stopping the curse, not at this time and Bobby isn't ready to face him yet. He will be though...in time," Charming added.

"We reluctantly agreed with her and knew that we needed to be on the inside of it so we could keep our memories and protect Emma and the twins," Winter said.

"What about Summer and Bobby?" Snow asked.

"They'll be with you two...out there in a blissful life that Seth is positive that you'll never wake from. We've injected subtle nuances though that ensures you will," Charming replied.

"He's right...Seth doesn't understand how our true love works and that not even a curse where we're together and happy could keep us from remembering our true lives," Winter said.

"You're taking a ton of chances. This could blow up in our faces...spectacularly," David argued.

"No...we'll undermine him without him ever knowing. His power makes him woefully arrogant," Winter argued back.

"We can't take those risks! If we just join together again, we can defeat him and prevent this curse with the chalice!" Snow shouted.

"I'm not giving up my freedom so you can go back to ignoring me!" Winter spat.

"I won't…I promise. I am learning to accept my own darkness," Snow insisted.

"Sorry...but it has to be this way. You'll have your half of the chalice for protection though and the time will come when you need it," Winter said cryptically.

"We've divided our half of chalice too. We suggest you do the same," Charming added, as Winter produced a new bow to go along with her wand.

"I suggest something a bit more inconspicuous for the Land Without Magic though," Winter said.

"How do you know that we won't stop you?" David asked.

"The Queen is adding our blood to the curse as we speak. It's already happening and we all know that not even the Chalice can stop a curse," Winter replied.

"Wait...our blood? Seth is letting the Queen cast it with our blood?" Snow asked. She smirked.

"No...he thinks it's hers, just like the Black Fairy thought it was hers when she cast her curse. Our blood is disguised with a concealment spell," Winter answered.

"We told you we will undermine him without him even knowing it," Charming added.

"We've cast so many curses...the good curse was supposed to be the last," David lamented.

"We have and that's why this one will be the last," Charming revealed.

"What do you mean?" Snow questioned.

"Once this one is broken...the dark curse will be erased from existence. We made sure that was specifically written into the language of the curse," Winter explained.

"When you two break it...and you will, we made sure the Chalice will make it impossible for anyone to ever cast the dark curse again. You two are seriously under utilizing the Chalice's power," Charming commented. David rolled his eyes.

"You know, I never thought I'd be rolling my eyes at myself, but here we are," he said in frustration. Tears filled Snow's eyes, as she realized they would be cursed again.

"Emma...and the twins…" she cried.

"Will be protected. No harm will come to our babies," Charming promised.

"You're asking us to just give up our eldest three?! We're just supposed be okay with that?!" David cried, his voice raw with rage.

"We're making sacrifices too!" Charming roared back.

"You think it's not killing us to give up Summer and Bobby?!" he roared back at his counterpart. Snow and David looked away from them and at each other.

"We'll...we'll be together this time," she said, as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.

"That's something," she said, with a sniff. He cupped her beautiful face in his hands.

"I'm so sorry, my darling…" he said, as he kissed her tenderly.

"The Chalice…" Winter reminded. Snow sniffed and willed her gauntlets into existence.

"Something inconspicuous. I guess magical gauntlets or a cup aren't exactly something we'd carry around out there," he said.

"Our rings...we never take them off," she said. He nodded, as they willed the gauntlets into their pure energy form. Their rings glowed, as they absorbed the energy. The power would remain hidden and safe until it was needed again. There was another blinding flash of light and they were back in the atrium of Winter and Charming's palace. They joined hands and ran outside, as they saw the dark cloud brewing from Nephilim.

"It's coming…" David uttered, as they ran to the truck and he floored it back to Storybrooke.

~*~

"No…" Regina uttered, as she gazed out over the horizon, knowing that not even the dome they had created could protect them from a curse this powerful.

"Regina?" Robin asked, as he then saw what she was seeing.

"They did it...another dark curse," he said, as they gathered together.

"Mom and Dad!" Bobby cried. Rumple waved his hand and all of them disappeared, before reappearing in front of the diner, just as David's truck came screeching to a halt. Snow and David spilled out of the truck, as their two youngest ran to them.

"Daddy...do you think the chalice can stop this?" Summer asked and it pained him to look into her blue eyes, so much like his own, and tell her the truth.

"I'm afraid not, peanut," he said, as he hugged her to his chest.

"Maybe I can stop this...with my powers," Bobby suggested, but Snow put her arms around him and hugged him close.

"I wish you could, sweetheart, but your father is right. There is nothing that can stop the dark curse," she lamented.

"Mom! Dad!" Emma and the twins called, as they all appeared in the street with their significant others. They rushed to their parents and clustered around them in a hug.

"It'll be okay...he thinks that giving us some happy life somewhere else will keep us from finding you. But it won't...we promise," David told them, as he cradled Emma's head.

"I promise, Princess...we'll find you," he said.

"I love you Daddy," she cried, as she hugged him and then her mother tightly.

"We love you too, Emma," Snow sobbed, as she then hugged the twins.

"I take it there is some sort of contingency plan in place?" Rumple asked the prince.

"They said there is...but we don't know if it will work," David said, as he gestured to the figures that had just appeared. The Queen, Charming, and Winter all flanked the being known as Seth, as he stood proudly, with the cloud of the dark curse as his backdrop.

"You're working for him?" Emma asked in disbelief.

"We'll have a good life, Emma and you'll never be alone again...we promise," Winter said.

"She's right...neither will Summer and Bobby. For our family to survive...it has to be this way," Charming added.

"Enough sentiment. I hope you do not plan to start letting your feelings cloud your judgement now, Prince Charming. I can replace you as easily as I replaced Mephisto," Seth warned.

"Of course not, Lord Seth. My wife and I are completely dedicated to this cause," he assured. Emma looked at him with scrutiny though, as did the twins. They knew their parents well and they could tell that something else was going on and possibly right under Seth's nose. But any of those questions were put aside, as they saw Seth raise his hand and place their parents, Summer and Bobby in a bubble. They noticed Jekyll and a woman they did not recognize also in a bubble.

"Who are you?" Emma demanded to know.

"Five years ago, Cecily Clayton led me straight to all her father's assets. Once I took control of her legacy, I had no use for her and put a bullet in her brain. Since then, I've waited for the payoff of that little expenditure and now I will have it," the Major stated.

"Your parents need handlers and we are they. You know how unruly they can be," Jekyll added. That didn't make any sense to Emma though. Sending Jekyll was surely an agitator that could unravel the happy life her parents would supposedly be leading. But then, as she looked at her parent's darker halves, she realized that this might all be part of their plan. None of that mattered though. She was still losing them again and they would all be cursed.

"You have to find us again…" she said.

"We will...we promise," David called.

"That will be impossible. The United Realms is mine now and this time, not even true love will defeat me. I have ascended to my rightful place!" he declared, as Aphrodite glared at him. She was about to charge him, but James held her back.

"No...I won't lose you," he refuted, as he held her and their children close.

"You know, better than any, that this isn't over like he thinks," he added. She closed her eyes and quelled her rage. She knew he was right.

"Look at it this way and take heart in the blessing I'm giving you. It's either that...or I kill your son before he can come into his powers," Seth spat evilly, as Snow took him in her arms.

"Well...then congratulations. I guess you've won," she told him, though she knew how untrue that was. Their darker halves had done this for their own reasons, including power. But mainly, they were doing it for their babies. This would buy them time to undermine this dark Lord and time for Bobby to grow into his powers. They would miss that part and as she met eyes with Winter, she saw that they knew that. There were tears in their eyes and now she understood. She didn't agree with everything they had done, but now she knew the truth. They were doing this to give Bobby his best chance...to give all of them their best chance.

"It's here…" Leo cried, as he held Elsa and they gathered with Anna and Kristoff, as well as Eva and Paul, closing their eyes, as the smoke washed over them.

"Rumple…" Belle cried, as she and Gideon gathered with him, as the smoke washed over them. Tears slipped down Regina's face, as she clung to Robin and Roland, all while looking at her grandchildren.

"We love you, Nana…" Summer sobbed.

"I love you too...I'll see you again. I don't care what he says," she cried, as the smoke swept over them and everyone else in the street. It continued through town and spread to all the realms, giving everyone new memories and new lives. Emma and Killian held each other, as she looked at her parents and then back at their darker halves.

"You better have a plan," she told them and they hugged their oldest close.

"We do...and you won't be alone, Emma. We're your parents too," Winter said. Emma looked back at her parent's lighter halves and her younger siblings, as they and their handlers disappeared from this realm. She started to cry and looked at her father.

"You better be right…" she said, as she hugged him tightly and he cradled her head.

"Don't worry Emma...I promise everything will be all right," Charming said, as the smoke finally took them as well...