Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs

A/N: This story is not for people who like the heroes. This is mostly about the villains getting their happy endings and stuff. I decided I needed a small break from my other stories to start fresh and this little baby popped out. By the way, all the villains who have ever been villains or some simply misunderstood characters are alive and in Storybrooke. Takes place kinda sorta at the end of season 4. Minus the author stuff. I was a little disappointed in the way they kinda softened Maleficent up when she is really supposed to be the most badass of everyone. So that's corrected in this story. This story will probably feature every kind of ship with some surprise ones but the main pairing will be some angsty back and forth DragonQueen. I hope you enjoy and please review!

The day was beautiful, clear and only a little cool as Henry walked to the library from school. Despite the good weather, the situation in Storybrooke was vastly different. Only a few weeks before, all of the villains had returned, as well as some heroes, those everyone thought were long dead and forgotten. All of them had just walked through a portal and it was taking a great deal for everyone to adjust to the massive change. Unfortunately, that meant a lot of tension and anger due to bad blood. There were a lot of fights, vandalism. It was running both his mothers ragged, but to him, it was simple. The reformed villains should try to earn their place in town and the heroes should spend time with their long lost family. It seemed so simple.

He walked into the library and found her writing in a notebook in a quiet corner. Her name was Amelie and he'd known her as long as he could remember. She was a quiet girl, a very beautiful girl in his opinion, although their relationship never went beyond friendship. She was the same age as he, 16, and had fair skin, with the most beautiful pair of green eyes he'd ever seen. Her hair was long and wavy and a copper gold color. She was always writing, always thinking, and it had taken Henry quite a while to get her to notice him at all. Now though, she glanced up and smiled. "Hey Am. What are you working on?" He asked, taking a seat across from her at the table.

"Just an idea." She shrugged. "Nothing important."

"Um, okay. How're your classes and stuff coming along? Finish the project for Grandma's class?"

Amelie nodded. "I did it in like an hour."

"You're very efficient, I see."

"A well known fact." She smirked. "Anything I can help you with?"

"No, I just came to get some studying done, and to get away from the craziness outside. Killian and Dad were about to get into a fight outside the diner and Leroy was yelling on his way to Mom's office."

Amelie sighed heavily as she closed her notebook. "It's a mess."

"I'll say. There will be more trouble if the Reformed keep acting up."

Amelie didn't respond to his words. "So anyways." He continued. "I was wondering if you were planning on going to the school dance at the end of year."

"I'm not a very...social person. And I can't dance, so…" she replied, looking down.

"I can't dance either. We could learn-"

"Aren't you with Violet?" Amelie interrupted. "Shouldn't you be asking her?"

"Well, I mean-"

He was interrupted by the arrival of none other than Roland Hood, striding confidently into the room and placing two books on the table.

"Hey Ro." Amelie smiled. "You got them. Thank you." She kissed Roland's cheek and picked up the three blank storybooks taken from the Author's home. Originally, Isaac had arrived in town with them, but as soon as he was spotted, Cruella DeVil had him executed him on the spot. Due to Maleficent's inference, Emma and David were unable to actually arrest Cruella or prosecute her or anyone else. Not while she was surrounded by villain friends.

"You could've asked, you know." Henry said.

"I know, but I didn't want to bother you. I have to go." Amelie stood up and handed Roland a 50 dollar bill. She kissed him again, grabbed her things and started to leave.

"Wait, at least think about the dance." Henry said.

"You should probably just ask Violet. Sorry." She raced out the door before he could say anything else.

Henry sighed. "Why wouldn't she just ask me for the books?" He looked up at Roland.

"Because I don't ask questions. Later."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regina sat down with a sigh and rubbed her temples. "Leroy, what do you want me to do?" She asked.

"We gave you your job back, I expect you to do something about your little friends." Leroy snapped. "Or the dwarves will."

"Don't be stupid and get yourself killed." Regina said. "I'll speak to Mal. Good bye." She gave a dismissive gesture of her hand and the dwarf humphed as he left her office.

"Long day?" Emma asked, walking in with a big grin on her face.

"Too long. What's this?"

The blonde held up two containers. "Lunch break."

"Thank you for the sentiment, Miss Swan, but I simply do not have time right now. I have to go find Lily and maybe she can finally tell me where Mal is."

"The Reformed still acting up?" Emma asked, sitting down.

"Don't call them that. They get enough bull from the people of this town." Regina sighed, leaning back in her throne-like desk chair.

"Then they should learn to play by the law. We have rules here." Emma replied. "If they want another chance, then they're gonna have to act like they want one."

Regina said nothing, just stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts far away on her dragon, probably flying above the clouds right now. Since the sudden return of all the villains, things had been a bit crazy in the little town of Storybrooke. There were several fights and multiple complaints, and to make matters worse the villains only listened to Mal, who'd all but disappeared. Only Lily seemed to know where the ancient witch was, and Regina was forced to convene with her when it came to the matters of the villains. "Maybe they don't want a second chance, Miss Swan."

"What? Then how are they gonna live here if they can't get along with the people?"

"I don't know. But trying to force them into being happy little heroes is not going to work. These people have been through far too much darkness to even want to see the light. "

"Darkness or not, they need to stop acting so crazy." Emma said.

Regina listened silently to her eat and mumble about her job or something or the other. She wasn't really interested, and Emma was surprised when she simply poofed out, finding herself in front of Granny's. Regina walked into the diner, finding it half full of Storybrooke citizens. She noticed her mother and sister sitting in a booth together with their true loves.

Cora returned, with her heart, and with none other than the dark sorcerer sultan, Jafar, on her arm. He had a very intense and calculating disposition that Regina found unsettling. But it was clear that he and her mother adored one another. Zelena's beau was none other than the Lord Death himself, Hades. Both of the men had been a huge positive influence on their ladies and each other, and she was happy about it, although she wished she had a true love to share a happy ending with. She was not happy. She could admit that to herself. Robin was supposed to be her soulmate, but she was miserable. The only thing that could fix this didn't seem to want anything to do with her.

"Hello Regina." Cora said, noticing her presence. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." Regina said, nodding quickly. She smiled as best as she could as she quickly turned to the bar, where Ruby was working.

"Hey Regina. Usual salad and a tea?"

"Yes please."

"I'll get right on it-" she was cut off as Lily burst into the establishment and went over to Cora and Zelena's table.

"Meeting tonight. Big meeting." She said excitedly. She turned around and looked at Ruby. "You're coming right?"

"Uh, yeah, if I can get off work."

"Try and be there. Mom's gonna come too. Listen for the bells." She leaned across the bar to give Ruby a quick kiss and raced out again.

"So...apparently there's a big meeting tonight." Ruby smiled.

Regina's own lip quirked. "Apparently so." She turned her back to the counter and leaned against it while Ruby got her order, finding her eyes drifting over to her mother and sister, talking quietly as they ate. The diner doors opened and she smirked as Ursula and Cruella walked in. "Well, if isn't the Sea Bitch...and her bitch."

"Aw, it's good to see you too, Gina." Ursula smiled. "Did you hear about the meeting tonight?"

"Lily just left. I wasn't invited." She shrugged.

"Aw, the dragon queen doesn't want her evil queen anymore?"

Regina felt a painful stab in her chest again at the mention of Mal's name. That spark, that knotting in her stomach, still remained after all these years. Just like it had when she'd first met the enchanting blonde. "I suppose not."

"We all know she's a mystery, dahling. Don't worry too much about it." Cruella said, stroking her fur coat, that was obviously new and clearly wanting someone to take notice. Ursula smirked knowingly at her beloved.

"New coat."

"Oh thank you dahling. Ursula dear bought it for me." She grinned. "She treats me so well."

"Buying the pound puppy new toys, fish sticks?" Regina smirked.

"You know it." Ursula smiled.

walked behind carrying a cup of coffee. Regina already knew what was about to happen as the man pretended to trip, spilling said coffee all over Cruella. The woman whipped out her pistol in the blink of an eye just as Ursula wrapped a tentacle around Whale's neck. Granny immediately pulled out her crossbow, aiming it at the villains.

"Everyone calm down." Regina commanded. She looked at Cruella and Ursula. "Put down the gun and let him go."

"We do nothing wrong and we're the ones forced to yield?" Cruella demanded.

Cora stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. Tonight, things will change. His blood isn't even worthy to be spilled."

"I won't spill any. I can kill him cleanly." Ursula hissed.

"Sea Witch." Cora said sternly.

"Fine." Ursula dropped Whale and Cora cleaned Cruella's coat as she lowered her weapons.

"Let's go so we can be ready for the bells." Cruella sighed, glaring at Whale. The pair left and Cora looked down at Whale.

"You must have a death wish." Was all she said, before she returned to her seat.

Regina sighed. They needed Mal. The villains held no respect for her because of her affiliation with the heroes, and the Evil Queen wasn't enough to keep the peace. They needed the Dragon Queen.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Amelie found Ursula and Cruella walking to their car and approached as quickly as she dared. "Excuse me?" Ursula looked up, raising her hand for Cruella to pause. "Do you know where I can find Lily?"

"Why?" Ursula asked.

"Because of this." Amelie handed them her notebook.

"Evil isn't born, it's made." Ursula read aloud. She handed the book to Cruella, who skimmed through it. The sea witch looked at Amelie. "You want to write our stories?"

"Yes, I want to write the truth. There is more than one side to a story and yours haven't been told yet. I'm not the Author. I can't change what's happened, but I at least want to know." She shrugged. "If you'll tell me…" she swallowed nervously and watched as Ursula pulled out her phone and made a call. She glanced over at Cruella. The dual haired queen of darkness had finished looking through her notebook, but she didn't give it back.

Ursula put the phone to the side and asked Amelie. "Why do you care?"

"Because the way you're treated is ridiculous. Especially when you're trying to change."

Ursula put the phone back to her ear. She listened to the speaker and smirked. "Alright then." She hung up. "Lily's on her way. Stay right here. She'll take you to Maleficent. You've gained the Dragon Queen's attention. Congratulations."

Amelie accepted her book back and crossed her arms around it, holding it against her chest. The couple got into Cruella's car and drove off. A minute later, Lily pulled up in her car. Amelie climbed into the passenger seat.

"So, you want to tell our stories, huh?"

Amelie nodded. "Um, yeah."

"You seem a little skittish. You know you can't hang around villains and be skittish."

"I know, but you're all very intimidating and I don't usually deal with people at all, much less people like you."

"People like us?"

"Powerful people...who could set me on fire."

Lily chuckled. "You're funny. Mom might not eat you after all." Amelie swallowed hard and hoped that was a joke. She was not the bravest person, not by any means, and yet she was about to walk into the dragon's lair. She took a deep breath as Lily drove them out to the docks, to the old abandoned cannery.

"This is where Maleficent is?" Amelie asked. "This is right in the middle of Storybrooke. How has the mayor not found her?"

"If a dragon doesn't want to be found, then it won't be found." Lily answered. She lead the way inside, navigating the steel corridors until they came to where the cannery opened up into the sea, the floor shifting into the docks. Lily picked up a rock and threw it in the water. There was a long moment of silence before the Dragon Queen rose of the water, a great black serpent as old as time itself. The leader of the former villains. The Evilest of them all. Maleficent was covered in smoke as she shifted back into human form, emerging dry and clean and wearing a long purple dress.

"Lilith, I told you I was gathering my strength for when the bells ring." Maleficent hissed. She glanced at Amelie, bright blue eyes burning with cold fire. One could feel her presence, be drawn to her with a single word, and mesmerized with a single glance. Unspoken power and swagger rolled off her in waves as she strutted up to her daughter.

"Yeah, yeah." Lily waved a hand dismissively. "Look. This is Amelie. She wants to write our stories. The real stories about what really happened to us."

Maleficent turned her hard gaze to the girl. "You are one of them." She growled. "Why would the child of a hero be so interested in villains? Recording our lives as though we are nothing more than fictional characters on a page."

Amelie scoffed before she could stop herself. "My parents were farmers before all this and just happened to get caught up in the mayor's curse. I know for a fact that most of the stories in Henry's storybook are either horribly inaccurate, completely wrong, or one sided. I just thought that maybe, the villains, or well the people that are considered villains, could have their stories told. The real stories." She paused, gathering confidence the more she talked. "Neither one of us thought it would be fitting to have someone else have the first story. The Evilest of them all, the Dragon Queen, leader of the villains, should be first. If she agrees…" Maleficent did not look convinced by her words. "Look, you have every right to be wary. The idiots of this town go completely out of their way to make the lives of villains a living hell and still walk around like they're the holiest beings on earth. I know that you've all done bad things. Some of you were just victims of terrible circumstances. The rest... are indeed sociopaths."

Lily snickered. "Cruella." Maleficent smacked her in the back of the head.

Amelie faltered in her little speech when the burning blue gaze fell on her again. "I-I just want to write the truth. People judge you off a story that's skewed to make the heroes look faultless. And I guess I just don't like that. Not that they don't have...a lot of faults either."

Maleficent circled her slowly, like an animal playing with its prey. "Why so sympathetic towards us? Surely your parents taught you to trust in the word of your leaders."

"They can tell me anything they want but it's up to me and my heart to believe it." Amelie replied. Her parents had always preached to her about trusting in Queen Snow and King David, believing their every word and that nothing lived in their hearts but goodness. Amelie had long ago thought this was not true and that anyone was capable of anything. Good people can do bad things and bad people can do good things. It wasn't that she didn't like the heroes either. She just felt that everyone had been through a lot and instead of keeping the animosity going, they should just learn to get along, not one bowing to the other. Very few people shared her beliefs so she'd kept them bottled up for years. Now she wanted to speak. No one else seemed to want to.

"Interesting." Mal said softly. She looked at Lily and spoke to her in another language. Lily responded in the same language. The dragon looked up as bells started ringing in the distance, faint in the distance, but still present. "Come, child. You will join us for the evening."

"Oh, okay." Lily touched her shoulder and suddenly they were no longer in the cave of treasure, but some kind of a dark clearing. Judging by the stone roof, she assumed they were underground. The walls and floors were cracked and thick vines laced the floor and ceiling. Mal waved her hand, conjuring a fire pit in the center of the large space, lit torches on the walls, and rows of stadium-like seats around the room. "What is this place?" Amelie asked, looking around.

"A place we villains made for our meetings." Lily answered. "Dark, flawed, safe. Perfect for us." She looked at Amelie. "You don't have a curfew or anything , do you?"

"No, I'm good. My parents are too busy complaining to Regina about you guys to notice anything else."

"Hmm." Mal said. "I hate them already."

She shrugged. It wasn't long before the walls began shaking as people poured into the tunnels leading into the meeting place. The villains came in, laughing and joking with each other like old friends. Many of them came and greeted Mal with hugs and kisses and it made Amelie smile at how friendly they were with each other. She was a bit surprised at seeing the Lost Boys enter. They had faced persecution from the original children of Storybrooke as well, but she thought Regina had done something about that. Lily quickly pulled Ruby into her arms and carried her over to a front row seat to sit down with her in her lap.

"Settle down, children." Mal called. "We have something important to discuss." Everyone gradually calmed down and took their seats. Amelie sat next to Lily and Ruby as Mal called the meeting to order. "Now, I know that I have been absent for a while now, but that doesn't mean I have been blind to what goes on in Storybrooke. I have seen everything and I know, just like we all know, that this will not stop. Regardless of who we are now, the citizens of Storybrooke will never forgive us, will never accept us. Even if they do, there will always be doubt and suspicion and we will always be considered different. Well...to that I say, fuck them." That stirred cheers from the others. "Fuck their acceptance, their approval and their rules. Fuck it all!" They cheered even louder before Mal shushed them back down. "They call us Reformed. As if there is something wrong with us. Jafar." She called, holding out her arms. "Can you see anything wrong with me? At all? Anything?"

Jafar smirked, quirking an eyebrow as he looked her up and down slowly. "Not at all, your majesty."

Mal turned to Killian. "Is there anything wrong with me, Captain?" She motioned to Blackbeard. "Captains?" Both men shook their heads. "Ladies?"

"Hell no." Ursula called.

"Thank you dears. I can assure you that there is nothing wrong with any of us. They wanted us to follow their rules to the letter. They want us to feel accepted, but we can't be ourselves, they just want us to be versions of ourselves that they like. Fuck that too." Mal walked around the firepit, smiling as she hyped up her followers. "This is who we are and we are not changing to please anyone. Now, there are several solutions to this. I could go talk to Regina, but we all know that that isn't gonna do any good. We could continue on as we are and hope things get better, but we all know that's only gonna end up with someone getting killed. Under normal circumstances, I would say we just leave. But most of us can't even leave Storybrooke without dying and the stupid borders are fucking sealed anyway. So, I have one solution upon which I would love to hear some thoughts. What do you say to building our own town?" She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "Our own town, our own rules, built to our image. We'll be free. The borders around Storybrooke are larger than you would think and magic could easily serve its purpose and give us what we desire. So, what do you say?"

Amelie watched them think it over, muttering amongst themselves. Mal waited patiently for them to make up their minds, toying with the fire in the large pit in front of her. She wondered if the dragon was going to tell the others about her idea for a storybook. It would be so much easier than her having to ask each one.

"I say we do it." Zelena said finally.

"Count us in, Dahling." Cruella added.

"Aye, if only for a little peace." Milah said.

"We're with you, Mal." Cora agreed. One by one the villains uttered their consent to the plan.

Mal nodded after each one. "Alright then. Tomorrow, Lily and I will mark off the area. If anyone has any ideas or specific tastes they want to incorporate, feel free to notify Lily. But write it down please, you know she has short term memory loss." Lily let out a loud fake laugh, glaring at her grinning mother. "The day after that, those with the strongest magic will meet us back here. Cora, Ingrid, Zelena, Jafar, Hades, that will be you all. Ursula, I want you and Cruella to design a few choice buildings." Lily pointed at Amelie. "Oh right. Before you leave, Ladies and Gentlemen, there is one among us who sides with our plight. Rise, Amelie."

Amelie quickly obeyed and stepped forward to stand next to Mal. The dragon put her arm around her and looked up at the others.

"I'm sure all of you are aware of a certain troublesome storybook. It shows us as bitter, malignant, evil people, while the heroes are good and perfect and pure. Everything they are not. Amelie here, wants to write a storybook that tells our stories from our points of view. She wants to write the truth. My story will be the first to be written. What say the rest of you?" She paused for a moment, looking around as the villains talked amongst themselves. The dragon shushed them again after a moment. "Now, now, I know that this would mean digging up a lot of painful memories. Memories some of us hoped to never think of again. But at least someone cares enough to try and right a serious wrong. It is not required, mind you. Just give your name to Lily. We'll be meeting here tomorrow and the cannery for the next three days to finalize decisions."

Everyone got up to leave, talking excitedly. Amelie waited patiently for them to leave. Mal conferred with the other Queens of Darkness and Amelie waited for her to finish so she could know what to do next. She was mildly surprised when she was approached by Thomas, the new leader of the Lost Boys, who were now renamed officially as the Lost Ones. Thomas was 17, although technically much older, and every girl's crush at school. He was the most handsome guy at school. Perfectly chiseled with a slender build, intelligent brown eyes, cute dimples, and short dark hair. He was never without his longbow and at the moment wore a long sleeved gray shirt that fit him rather snugly, dark jeans and black combat boots.

"You know it's really nice what you're doing. The whole story thing." Thomas said.

"Thanks." Amelie could've cursed as she felt herself blushing. Her stomach was doing backflips. "Are the Lost Ones going to the new town too?"

"Yeah. Maleficent's got everyone fired up." He smiled. "A place all our own. Can't wait. You coming?"

She frowned instantly. "As if my parents would let me. They don't even know I'm here now."

"Want to me to walk you home?"

"Um, I wouldn't want to bother you or anything-"

"Nonsense." He bowed deeply at the waist. "After you, milady."

She smiled, still blushing. Maleficent gave her an address to go to the next morning so she could record the first stories. Tomorrow was certainly going to be interesting.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regina shoved all of her work in her desk and lay her head down on top of it with a groan. She was so tired of paperwork. She suddenly felt a tightening in her stomach, butterflies trying to get out. Her heart started to beat a little faster. She looked up at Maleficent standing on the other side of the desk, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Hello Regina."

"Hey Mal." Regina said breathlessly. The blonde looked glorious, head tilted curiously and eyes burning brightly. Regina swallowed and walked around the desk, standing before the dragon. "What are you doing here?"

"Business. I need a detailed map of Storybrooke and for you to magically expand the borders to about triple its size."

"Why?" What the hell could the villains possibly be up to?

Mal smirked and gently pressed a finger to her lips. Regina kissed it, resisting the urge to lick it. The dragon chuckled deeply. "I need the plans, my dear. As quickly as possible. There is a lot of work I need to get done before tomorrow morning."

"What are you planning?" Regina kissed the finger again, reaching forward to grab Mal's dress and pull her closer. She was wet, hungry with desire. This was what she needed. Her dragon. Her Maleficent. There was no one, Soulmate nor True Love, that could make her feel the way Mal did.

"I can't tell you. If I did, you would tell the other idiots and I can't have them getting in the way of my work." The kiss caught the mayor completely off guard, but she didn't hesitate to return it. Mal picked her up and placed her on the desk, parting her legs so she could slide between them. The kiss grew heated, intensifying until Regina could do nothing but let Mal consume her. She wanted it. To be engulfed in the blonde's fire. She wanted it.

"Oh gods, Mal."

Maleficent leaned away for the briefest moment to look her in the eye, flashing a devilish grin before attacking her neck with heated kisses and sharp nips. Regina wanted more, but there was no way they could do this here. She heard the door suddenly open and slam closed as Mal reacted, waving her hand to throw a bookcase in front of it. The dragon returned to her lips, making her moan with desire. But again she pulled away. "The plans, Regina."

Regina conjured them next to her and the dragon snatched them and looked through them. "Maleficent." She hissed.

"I have to go, dear. Love you." She teleported away and Regina screamed in frustration. The office door burst off its hinges as Robin stepped in, looking around in worry. He quickly came to Regina.

"What happened? You screamed."

Regina rolled her eyes and grabbed her phone. Lily refused to answer. She sighed and looked at Robin. He could be any woman's dream. Thoughtful, strong, caring. He could be a perfect match, and although he was supposed to be her soulmate, being with him made her feel...empty.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Alright, let's begin."

Zelena: I grew up in near poverty. We hardly had enough to feed ourselves. My adoptive father was a worthless drunk. My real father didn't even want me. My adoptive mother was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was everything I wanted, everything I thought I was meant to be: kind, courteous, selfless, strong. Unfortunately she died when I was still young, leaving me with the bastard who beat me. He called me wicked. He said I was a witch and that my magic was disgusting and filthy and every time I used it, he beat me. I tried so hard to make him happy, to do what he wanted, but it was never enough. I was never enough. Then he told me, about where I really came from, and I traveled to see if this was true. It was. My real mother had left me in the woods to die and I was picked up by a cyclone and taken to Oz. No one wanted me. Not even Rumpelstiltskin, even though I was twice as good as Regina ever was. I felt like I was nothing, so I made myself into something. I wanted the world to know exactly what they had stepped on. That is why I accepted the mantle of Wicked Witch. That is why I did the impossible. I broke a law of magic, something that not my sister, my mother or Rumpelstiltskin could ever accomplish. I found people who wanted me. Who appreciated me. I found a family. I have a home.

Cora: I was born the daughter of a simple miller. A lazy drunkard. I hated him, but I never desire power until I met Queen Eva. I had earned a place in Leopold's heart and was set to be married to him, but Jonathan, a gardener who I believed to be a prince threatened to expose the fact that I was already pregnant with his child. Zelena. Eva overheard and I was forced to leave. I abandoned Zelena so I could give myself my best chance. One day, I was selling flour in the market and I met Eva again. She tripped me and made me spill all of it. She said it was my fault and those noble fools believed her. They treated me like dirt and told me that I would never be anything more. That fueled my hatred for them and I swore I would be more. I married Prince Henry and saved the kingdom from certain destruction by spinning straw into gold. That's when I met Rumpelstiltskin. I could've left with him and still been powerful, but I didn't want to lose focus. I believed that love was weakness...and I ripped out my heart. The first heart. Because of that action I destroyed my daughter's life. Henry was fifth in line for the throne so I planned to make Regina queen. I orchestrated her rise to power in the darkest ways possible...then she banished me. I killed her stableboy, Daniel, I forced her to marry Leopold, I destroyed her life. Both of my daughter have every right to hate me. I let power consume me and no matter how many hearts I ripped out, it didn't come close to the pain I caused my own family.

Cruella: I'm sure everyone has their own little tale about fighting darkness and giving in, being a beautiful person until something happens that changes them. Me? Not me. I grew up in a tiny little attic and as soon as I could run, my mother would have her little Dalmatian mongrels chase me through the woods. I was never fast enough to get away. But what did she expect, it was two legs against eight. Anyways, that was my life for about 21 years. Then I met Isaac and got a taste of freedom. We visited ballrooms and went to parties and just danced the night away, dahling. It was marvelous. He even gave me my animal seduction powers. Alas, I wanted more. I wanted my mother to pay for what she did to me. I ordered her little minions to attack her. They killed her and then I skinned them and made my first dog skin coat. Isaac was so shocked, so horrified. Quite frankly I thought it was a nice end for the mean old bat. So he took my power to kill and long story short after that, Rumple orchestrated the Queens of Darkness meeting, almost got us killed by a Chernabog and after that, Mal enlisted me in the Queens of Darkness. Me and Ursula got the raw end of a deal and got sent to this world when we tried to save Lily from the heroes. Then I married a bunch of old men and took their money and met up with Cruella and Rumple again. You know the rest of that story. Oh, you want to know how Ursula and I fell in love? How does it ever happen, dahling. One day, she meant nothing to me. The next, she meant everything.

Ingrid: I didn't mean it. I never meant to do it. I never wanted these powers. I grew up with my sisters in Arendelle, racing, laughing, flying kites. Ours happened to get stuck in a tree one day and this man found us trying to get it out. I tried to take my sister and I don't know what happened, I just reacted...I killed him. And I was terrified, but my sisters let me know it was okay. We promised to always be there for each other. But my powers ruined everything. I was trying to protect my sister from the Duke and...I killed her...I killed Helga. And Gerda thought it was my fault so she locked me in that urn for years. When I finally got out, I just wanted my family. I was willing to do anything to get it.

Ursula: My mother died when I was little. She was the one who taught me to sing. My father was so distraught that he had me sing to entice pirates to crash their ships on the rocks of our island. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just wanted to sing. Killian was the one I let go and when I ran away, I found him again. I shouldn't have trusted him. I helped him get some squid ink and he stole my voice. My father asked him to do it. That's when I became the Sea Witch. Singing was the only thing I had left of my mother and he wanted to take it away. I conquered the sea from my father and became queen of the seas. Then I joined the Queens of Darkness. I'm sure you already know how I came to this world and that blasted deal we made with Rumpelstiltskin to change our stories. I'm glad we killed Isaac, that bastard. Now, we're free of that idiot messing with our lives.

James: I was born a prince. I lived a prince's life, with all of the luxuries and power that came with the position, all of which I used to my advantage in life. I was a natural warrior, excelled easily in politics. I was ruthless yes, and arrogant and greedy. My ultimate failing. It was my idea to attack the giant's kingdom, to kill them all and make off with as much treasure as I could hold. And yes, I left Jacqueline to die. But in doing so I saved my kingdom from poverty and from selling ourselves to Midas...for a while. People may think of me as evil, but I prefer selfish. That ultimately was my demise and my only regret is that Jack had to pay for my deeds. I always wondered why when Rumpelstiltskin made a deal with my father that my mother gave me up. What made David so special?

Anita: I was born into two worlds. Wolf and human. I was raised as a human, a weak, pathetic human. We scrounged for food, lived in some tiny hut. My first shift was utter...bliss. I got to see the world that I never knew, but fell in love with instantly. The wolf was freedom in ways I cannot possibly describe. I didn't need to bow to society, one that bends to others because they are the children of royalty. Any idiot can be born into royalty, it takes a true wolf to take it, to earn it. When it came time to choose between my mother, Granny, who let her hatred of werewolves drive her, and being a wolf. I chose the wolf. But it was rough world, and I feared for the child I would soon have. Red. I took her back to Granny to care for because I knew how she would take care of her, that she would not grow up with this weight on her shoulders. When we did meet again, we Ran for the first time together. Granny had tried to hide the truth from her as well. She's a natural alpha. Snow White came soon after my daughter arrived, and her arrival brought death to my den. She should have paid with blood, but Red protected her from me. At first, I was angry. Very angry. We fought. She won. In those last moments, I felt like I'd been betrayed, then it settled in. The wolf was a beast, and it would take a human to run at its side. When I died, I was not angry. I did not feel betrayed. I was bursting with pride.

Lily: Everyone knows what happened to me before I was born. I don't remember much from when I was very young. Just a bunch of different people playing in my face, making those stupid baby noises. I remember I kept crying. I wasn't hungry or anything, but I kept crying. I guess that's why those faces kept changing. I wanted my mother. I knew they weren't her and I just wanted them to go away. Then I got adopted by James Page. He was a great guy honestly. Any kid without a family would be happy to have him, but I still felt out of place. It felt wrong. I ran away a couple times. I'll skip the little meetings with Emma. Basically, the last time she kicked me to the side, I met Merlin's apprentice and he told me everything. After that, I got angry. For years, I searched for Storybrooke, trying to pinpoint its location. I had to do a lot of jobs to keep myself afloat, not all of them legal. It got so bad that I had to change my name and move across the country. But my entire life had been nothing but darkness until that point. I had no friends, no family, a crappy house, a boring job, a piece of junk for a car, but I didn't let it stop me. I kept searching for Emma and one day she just showed up on my front porch. She wanted me to go to Storybrooke so I could be with my mom, and I was excited about that and even more pissed off at Snow White and Prince Charming. They destroyed my life and had the gall to send their daughter to fix their mistakes. But I must admit, when I met Mom, something changed. Sure, I still wanted to kick the Charmings' asses. But when I was with Mom, everything felt different, felt right. I felt like I was home. I still haven't let go of my hatred for the Charmings. Maybe never will. But I know love now, because of my mother and Ruby.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Amelie wiped her eyes as Maleficent and Lily walked in. The mother dragon handed her a tissue.

"Are you alright?"

"No! This is bullshit. None of this should happen to anyone, especially not children, especially not by family. I mean, if it wasn't someone's crazy mother, it was their bastard father or Rumpel-fucking-stiltskin. Listening to the god-awful thing that happened to someone that made them do the god-awful thing to someone else is making me sick." Amelie sighed as she wiped her eyes again and blew her nose. "I'm sorry, Maleficent. Did you need something?"

Maleficent rubbed her shoulder soothingly. "I'm going to need for you to stop calling me Maleficent. It's Mal. And also, you're done for today. We can pick it up tomorrow."

Amelie nodded. "How are things coming with the town?"

The dragons both grinned and magically packed up her things so they could pull her downstairs where all the villains were piecing together their new town with drawings and writing specific suggestions of what they wanted to see. Cruella had plans for a boutique. Ursula was working with the pirates on a harbor, Anita and Quinn were helping Bo Peep with a hunting and butcher shop. James and Jack had plans for a giant mansion and something that looked like an arena. Ingrid was making a restaurant/ice cream parlor. Jefferson was making a funhouse with an arcade and all sorts of games. Amelie smiled at seeing them so excited. She looked at Mal and Lily. "What are you guys going to do?"

"I'm going to be the mayor of course." Mal scoffed. "Lily will be the sheriff and depending on whether or not Ruby agrees to come, she will be deputy. I might be able to get the Sheriff of Nottingham to join up. What's his name?"

"Keith." Lily answered.

"Yes. Oh, and go tell Cruella to start buying up the cars and horses." Lily nodded and raced off. Mal put her arm around Amelie's shoulders and lead her outside the cannery. "We're going to have them tricked out soon and put in a stables. As convenient as cars are, I haven't decided to actually use them yet. They're terrible on the environment, you know. And stink. Try and smell a car through a dragon's nose." Amelie smiled as Thomas approached, carrying a rolled up piece of paper, which he presented to Maleficent. "A treehouse for the Lost Ones? My, this looks like a big operation." It was indeed huge, basically a giant treehouse in the sky, big enough for all of the Lost Ones to live in comfortably. "I like it. I'll add it to the plans. Make sure our scribe gets home safe and sound." Mal went back inside and Thomas smiled.

"Busy day?" He asked.

She nodded, shouldering her backpack. "I knew they went through some stuff, but I never imagined…"

"The strongest souls often rise out of suffering." Thomas said. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

"Um, actually, do you think we could make a little detour?"

It took about 20 minutes to walk to the Author's mansion. Thomas easily picked the lock and let them in. "Why don't you just ask Henry for this stuff?"

"Because if I ask then he'll want to know what for and all this is supposed to be a secret, right?" She replied, taking the lead into the secret room. She picked up a few more empty storybooks and some bottles of ink and a packet of quill pens. Thomas asked why wouldn't she use a regular pen and she responded that the storybook should be written like the original one. It would be better this way. She finished up and lead them back down to the street.

"You know they're happy about the storybook, right?" Thomas asked as they walked back home in the dark.

"Pardon?"

"The villains. It's really cool of you to care to ask."

Amelie blushed and looked down. "Thanks, I guess."

He chuckled. "Why haven't we really met until now?"

"I'm not the most social person. To be perfectly honest, I get irritated with people very quickly." Amelie scowled at how often she wanted to smack half the people at school.

Thomas only laughed. "I'm not one of the people that irritate you, am I?"

"Of course not."

"Good."

They walked in a comfortable silence for a while. The lights of Storybrooke grew brighter until they were walking down the street. Her house quickly came up and she said good night to Thomas before racing inside. She dashed past her mother and upstairs to her room, quickly closing and locking the door behind her. She pulled out the storybooks and ink and quills and set to work. She'd recorded the narratives earlier that day and had notes in a notebook as well. Using every ounce of eloquence and rhetoric in her arsenal, she started to write the real stories into one of the blank storybooks. To her surprise, the book turned out to be enchanted. As she finished writing on one page, a picture would appear on the other page, perfectly depicting the tale. At the very end of each one, she added in a little quotes of her own. Something she felt perfectly defined the villains and villainesses in their stories.

Zelena: "You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, strong enough. Believe it and stop letting insecurity run your life." -Thoma Davis

Cora: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." -Lord Acton

Cruella: "There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow that it hides itself in insanity. There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape that pain the mind must leave reality behind." -Patrick Rothfuss

Ingrid: "Beloved sister Our hearts still ache in sadness, and our secret tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know." -Unknown.

Ursula: "A woman doesn't know the power of her own voice until she's been silenced." -Ursula.

James: "Arrogance is weakness disguised as strength." -Unknown.

Anita: "The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care." -Hugh Macleod.

Lily: "Hatred is revenge against our own self for deeds committed by someone else." -Unknown.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next morning, Regina was surprised to find that all the villains had all but disappeared. Cruella's car was even packed up. Almost immediately she was bombarded with suspicious complaints about their whereabouts. She was sitting in her office, at her desk, remembering her last encounter with the dragon ravaging her. Suddenly, the blonde was in front of her again, handing her back the plans Regina had given her.

"What are you planning?" She demanded.

Maleficent smirked, but it quickly fell. "I'm leaving."

"What?!" Regina stood up immediately.

"I'm leaving. We all are. That's why I needed you to expand the border. The villains, or Reformed as you have named us, are going to create our own Storybrooke. We will leave you in peace if you will do the same to us."

"You- you can't. Don't. Please." Regina pleaded.

"Would you leave your newfound friends for me?" Maleficent asked. Regina's mouth fell closed. "I didn't think so. And I'm not going to pretend like you don't mean the world to me while you pretend to love that stupid thief. The best thing to do is to try and move on." She placed a tender kiss to her forehead. "You know how much I care for you, and I will always care for you, but if this will not go anywhere...then we should stop."

That was the last thing either of them wanted. Maleficent had waited long enough for someone to love her above all other things. Regina loved her, but not enough to be with her, not enough to fight for her. What they had now, it was not enough. "Mal, please. Don't."

"You tire of this. We both know it. As do I. I won't things make any harder on you." And with that, the dragon was gone again. Regina quickly went to her balcony when she heard the rev of an engine. Cruella and Ursula were driving away, with the other villains following in their cars, pulling horse trailers and moving trailers. Storybrooke suddenly started shaking violently. Regina grabbed onto the railing to avoid falling off. The shaking continued until the villains had disappeared along a dirt path leading away from the town.

"Regina, you saw that?" Emma asked, walking up to the balcony and looking up.

"No, Miss Swan, I must've missed it." Regina rolled her eyes and teleported down. The blonde took the lead, following along the path that slowly changed to gravel. They came to a rise and both of their jaws dropped when they spotted the magnificent town nestled on the coast and stretching into the forest. Maleficent was flying over it on near silent wings, a great duel horned serpent in command of the sky. "She wasn't kidding."

"You knew about this?" Emma asked.

"I found out about 5 minutes ago." Regina hissed. "They created their own Storybrooke."

"Why?" Emma asked, turning to look at her.

"Please tell me you're joking." Regina looked at her like she was stupid. Which the queen firmly believed she was. "They're sick of being here and trying to prove themselves to people who don't care."

"How else are they gonna redeem themselves?"

"Clearly, they don't want to. In their new town, they make the rules."

"Or rather, Maleficent does." Emma said, turning back to watch the dragon claim their new territory. "Why do they follow her?"

"Because she's fucking dragon." Regina muttered, before answering clearly. "She's the oldest, wisest and strongest of us. They follow her because she knows how to lead. Unfortunately, this does not bode well."

"How so?"

Regina sighed. "They won't follow our rules. And villains have no rules."

Maleficent let out a thunderous roar as she circled back towards them, lighting up the forest with a stream of fire, carving out a territory just for them. She landed on the other side of the flame border with a heavy thud and shifted back into her human form. "You wanted us gone...so we left." She waved her hand, conjuring a town sign, a darker version of the Storybrooke sign. It read Dark Storybrooke, but the blonde was not satisfied with that. "We'll have to hold a meeting about a better town name. I know Lily or Jefferson picked this. Those idiots." She muttered.

"Hey!" Emma yelled to catch her attention. Regina wanted to facepalm herself at the woman's idiocy. "You can't just change our town." She stepped up to the border of fire, but almost immediately moved away again, the heat sweltering. "Too afraid to face what you've done? That's why you left?"

Lily suddenly swooped in, landing neatly and quickly shifting back. A black sheriff's star glittered from her jacket. "We left to keep from murdering you idiots. You really want to piss off a dragon?"

"Oh, go to hell." Emma snapped.

Lily only grinned. "You first, Savior."

"Enough." Maleficent growled. She stepped up to the border, the flames diminishing just around her. Her eyes met Regina's, asking a silent question. Will you come with me? Both of them remembering the last time Maleficent asked that very same question.

/

It was the first time in a very long time that Maleficent felt her heart beat again. It was the first time in a very long time that she found herself speechless, looking at the young queen that Leopold had managed to capture. Capture seemed the best word as it was clear that she was unhappy. Regina, was her name, and even now as she sat amongst the highest of nobility, garbed in the finest dress sewn with diamonds, she didn't smile. She was virtually being ignored anyway by her power hungry mother and her own husband, who was too busy dancing with his daughter. To see such a pretty thing slowly fading into darkness only infuriated Maleficent because no one seemed to care. She hated cages with a passion. She hated chains and binds and anything that would dare to restrain the freedom of any person.

The dragon stepped onto the dance floor, striding straight through it. She didn't care about any of the dancers, who quickly moved out of her way. Her valet followed at her heels and Regina did not stir as she stopped in front of her. Her eyes were downcast.

"Please, misir, I don't want to dance." Regina said softly, yet dismissively.

"I would like the honor of a dance." Maleficent said, trying to make herself seem less like the terrible Dragon Queen and more like...herself. How long had it been since she'd even come down from her castle? She wasn't really sure, and didn't really care. This beautiful maiden did not deserve such treatment. If only she could see a smile…

Regina looked up and gasped, trying to back away, but considering she was sitting on her throne, there was nowhere for her to go. "Maleficent, your Majesty, please forgive me." All eyes were on them, everyone waiting to see if the queen would anger the dragon and probably be rid of her. Regina's mother started to step forward, but Maleficent raised her hand for silence. She handed her staff to the valet and removed her helmet. Golden tresses cascaded down her shoulders. She handed the helmet to the valet as well and held up her hand.

Regina seemed shocked and looked at her mother for guidance. The woman nodded and Maleficent growled. "If you don't want to-"

"No, I do." Regina said quickly and then softly whispered "I don't know how."

"To dance?" Regina nodded. Mal smiled. "Well, I can show you." Regina took a fearful look around and swallowed as she accepted the dragon's hand. Mal lead her around the dance floor, clearing it off. Even Leopold and his daughter were swept to the side. The idea of a king being dismissed from his own ball at his own castle made Regina smile. It was a breathtaking sight. Then it faded when Mal turned to face her. She instructed the queen where to place her hands.

"Everyone's staring." Regina whispered.

"Well, you are the most beautiful woman in the room. Their eyes should not stray far from you." She smirked to herself. "Unless it's food. Food is wonderful."

Regina snorted as she laughed and quickly tried to cover her face in embarrassment. The blonde stopped her by spinning her across the floor. The band started to play again, deep heavy drums sounded throughout the room. Magic flowed through the air, covering Regina in golden flames. When they dispersed, she was wearing a long sleeveless white dress, fitted to her waist, embroidered with diamonds and showed off her cleavage nicely. The bottom had long slits in it so she could move easily and it revealed her legs when she moved. Her hair fell from its high bun in beautiful raven waves and was pinned back on one side with a large white flower. Tall diamond studded white heels adorned her feet. Mal smiled at seeing the transformation and Regina clearly felt more comfortable in it.

"Shall we dance?" Mal asked, offering her hand again. There was no hesitation this time when Regina took her hand and smiled brightly. She was unsure of her steps, cutely blushing whenever she made a mistake, but Maleficent was nothing if not patient. Everyone else was forced to wait their turn as the two women danced the night away in their own little world. As they danced, Maleficent spoke to the young queen and listened as she described the terrible life she'd lived so far and the one that would follow suit if she didn't break free. "Perhaps all you need is someone to light a little fire in your belly?" Mal smirked as their dance came to an end. The people applauded but she only motioned to her valet to retrieve her staff. She walked up to the throne and slammed her staff down on top of it, shattering it in one solid blow. "Would you like to come with me, Regina? Away from here?"

"I...can't."

"You would rather be encaged than free? What ties you here?" Maleficent asked as guards started to surround them. She was hardly worried. Her concern was on Regina.

"Something terrible happened to me." Regina said softly. "And the people here must pay. But afterwards...I would love to come with you. I will endure my chains for a little while longer, if you would...wait for me- oh what am I saying?" She ran her hands through her hair, knocking the white flower out of the clasp. "You're the Dragon Queen, why would you wait for me?"

"I will wait." Mal smirked at her shocked expression. She raised her hands, sending the guards flying uselessly off their feet, and walked up to Regina. "Should I ask again...would you accept?"

"Ask-"

"Would you come with me?"

Regina nodded quickly. "With no hesitation."

"Then I will wait. For a treasure like you, I will wait." Mal placed a tender kiss to her forehead before taking a step back and motioning to her valet. She was gone in a flash, reappearing in her castle study. "Go." She commanded to her valet and looked for something to amuse her while she waited.

/

The time had come. Maleficent was done waiting. She held out her hand to Regina and Regina's heart nearly stopped. "Will you come with me?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Read and Review!

A/N: Also, if anyone has a better for the new town other than Dark Storybrooke, please don't hesitate to tell me. That was just the first thing that popped into my head. And all of the villains will eventually be getting their spotlight and everything they're telling Amelie is much more detailed. I just wrote snippets. Anyways, hope you enjoyed.