The moors was strangely alive that morning. The treetops glistened with color as the suns rays shined upon them, sneaking through the branches to brightened the ground. The fairies flew out from their homes, their little wings sparkling in the sun's light. And high above them was the greatest fairy of them all. Maleficent.
She soared so high on her mighty wings that she could fly up and into the clouds, viewing the all the moors and everyone in it. But if she missed something her pet and friend Diaval was always there.
Right at that moment the crow flew before his mistress squawking and flapping his wings like crazy.
"What?" Maleficent asked calmly. The crow continued to squawk even more frantic than before."Calm down, calm down. You know I can't understand you when you talk that fast." Diaval slowed his speech but cawed fast." Aurora?" Maleficent asked concerned." What's wrong? Take me to her." And the two turned and flew off with Diaval leading the way, though Maleficent could fly faster than him with her bigger wings and managed to overtake him. It didn't matter she knew where Aurora was.
She came upon the child under the shade of the old oak tree.
"Fairy Godmother!" The girl giggled with glee as she picked up her dress and ran to the landing fairy.
"Aurora." Maleficent said taking the girl in her arms." Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine." She smiled as Maleficent turned her head left and right, observing every inch of her." But I've found someone."
"Someone?" Maleficent asked with a raised brow.
"He needs help. Quick!" She grabbed Maleficent by her arm and showed her the way." This way!" It was a short distance, covered in only a few steps." Here." Aurora said and pointed down to the ground.
Maleficent look down and there was a stranger, not a creature of the moors but a man. Dressed from head to toe with most notably a mask on his was sprawled out across the ground with his back resting against the tree his head leaning towards the left.
"I found him in the woods." Said Aurora taking a step and kneeling down over him." He's hurt." Maleficent's head did not move but her green eyes snapped to the man's side, blood was dripping out from under his arm." Could you use your magic and help me?" Aurora shifted her head up and looked at her.
At first she though 'No' and her face reflected that cold judgment. She had trusted men before and it had lost her her wings and nearly her life. But in the process she met young Aurora who was so innocent, so sweet. The girl and melted her icy heart and gotten her wings back. For this girl, her 'Godchild' she would do anything.
"Alright." She answered finally.
"Good." Aurora smiled. She stepped back as Maleficent bent down and hovered over the man, her wings hovering behind her. The man appeared to be asleep, not dead but just stone cold knocked out. Slowly Maleficent reached forward her long slender white arm appearing beneath the black that was her sleeve. She inched her hand towards the wound on the man's stomach.
But the man who was thought to be out cold suddenly jumped to life. He put on hand over Maleficent's and used the other to try and prop himself up. Though it was clearly hard for him to do evident by his rapid breathing and grunting. Maleficent looked forward to see the man's face right in front of her's. She could feel his hot breath hit her face.
But as soon as his burst of energy appeared it disappeared as he fell onto his back, releasing Maleficent from his grip.
"Get back!" said Maleficent rising back to her feet and putting her arm out, pushing Aurora back.
"No, no." the girl responded. She slipped under Maleficent's arm and towards the man.
"Aurora!" The girl took a cautious step forward and towards the man.
"It's alright." She said as she did so. He pushed himself up with his arm while keeping his other attached to his side, flopping up and down like a fish out of water." We're not going to hurt you." He snorted and breathed like a mad bull." We just want to help." And she slowly inched her way towards him until she could lay her hand on his head and looked into his eyes. And her soft touch seemed to stop the animal within him. His breathing slowed down shown by his chest's slow rising. Then Aurora turned back to Maleficent." It's alright. He's just afraid."
"Get back." Maleficent said with authority in her voice. Aurora did as she was told, and her and her fairy Godmother switched places. Now Aurora was standing back while Maleficent leaned over the man.
"No tricks now." She said to him. He breathed another hard breath in reply." Your arm please." He obliged her and removed his arm to reveal the wound. The wound was wet and covered in blood. Without a moment to loose the fairy leaned forward and put her hand over it." This may hurt." The man did not seem to care.
Then her magic began and with green-like smoke that danced and hovered over the wound. She didn't know if there was pain because the man did not cry out in any sort of pain. The magic began to subside as the wound was covered and the bleeding stopped.
Maleficent's eyes snapped up and towards the man. He leaned himself over and tried to view the wound. She removed her hands to reveal that it was gone. He began to shiver and shake his head bobbing from side to side until finally his eyes rolled in the back of his head and he collapsed back on the tree.
"Is he alright?!" asked Aurora as she jumped forward but stopped as Maleficent put her arm out.
"He'll be fine." She said not looking at the girl but at the man." He just needs sleep is all." She turned and looked at the face on the petrified girl." Have no fear my dear, I will make sure no harm comes to him." She leaned down and kissed the girl on her head." Go on run along now, you have a kingdom to see to."
Aurora smiled turned and ran along on her way. In her aftermath Maleficent cocked her head like a bird to the man. Then with soft elegant steps, her gown following behind her she walked and stood over the man sleeping on the ground. Then as he lay there she observed him, her green eyes scanning every inch of him.
He was a big man, with broad shoulders and a barrel-like chest. Maleficent watched as his chest rose up and down indicating he was still alive. Then her eyes moved upwards and towards the mask on his face. Because of it his face was mostly covered. The only people who wore masks around here were knights and that was only when they went into battle.
Maleficent quietly inched herself down so that she hovered over his face. Then she brought one hand down towards his chin, preparing to remove the mask from his face. But she stopped as the sudden cawing of a crow caught her attention. She cocked her head left to see Diaval sitting on a tree limb.
"What?" she asked him. Then under the curious gaze of the crow Maleficent sat herself back on a rock, sitting over the man.
The day dragged on and Maleficent kept close watch on the man just as she had promised. Aurora checked in with them a few times only to yield the same result with each visit.
It wasn't until night that something happened.
Diaval had perched himself on the stranger's chest, rising up and down as his chest did. Maleficent rested her head in her hand, her fingers strumming along the side of her face. Diaval rose again but then quick as a flash the stranger jumped up and snatched him up into his hand.
He was able to sit upright now and did so as he held the bird in his grip. Maleficent jumped up just as the man had.
"Into a wolf." She said. And with a magic blast from her hand to Diaval. The man starred at his hand in confusion as the bird disappeared and a snarling wolf snapped it's jaws at him. But with a swing of his arm he tossed the animal off him and onto the ground.
The man jumped to his feet to see Maleficent standing before him, her wings spread out and hovering menacingly before him.
"Fairy Godmother!" Maleficent's wing rose and Aurora appeared with them." Is-" She stopped as she looked forward to see the stranger standing before her." Oh wonderful! He's alright!" She jumped forward and put her arms around the man. His arms floated at his sides awkwardly as he didn't know how to react. Aurora looked at him and smiled then turned to Maleficent." Thank you Fairy Godmother." She ran over and hugged Maleficent. The fairy smiled and hugged the girl in return. The stranger cocked his head to them confused. Then Aurora turned her attention back to him.
"Are you alright?" She asked as she walked over to him." How are you feeling?" His eyes went from Aurora to Maleficent and stayed on the fairy. Aurora took this as the man being shy, he'd most likely never seen a fairy before so the wings must have been a strange sight." This is my Fairy Godmother, Maleficent. She saved you." He looked at her confused.
"Saved me?" He spoke for the first time. His voice deep but smooth like the sound of a cello
"Yes." Aurora nodded her head happily. She reached out and took the man's big hand in her's then brought him several steps over to Maleficent. " She saved you." And now Maleficent and the stranger were forced to acknowledged each other. When she looked at him she was forced to drop her eyes because his stare was so intense.
He made the first move and stepped forward.
"Thank you." He said to her." For helping me."
"You're welcome." She said turning back at managing to look at him. Several moments of silence followed as the two stared at each other.
"So what'll you do now?" asked Aurora to the stranger. He took his attention from the fairy and to the girl.
"I must go." He replied." I must return home." He turned and prepared to leave.
"Do you have to go so soon?" she asked." You can stay the night if you'd like." He turned back to her and prepared to answer.
"Aurora. I must advise against that. The man must clearly be getting on his way."
"I am the Queen of the Moors." She said matter of factly to the fairy." And If the man would like to stay in my kingdom he may." The man looked to the fairy then to the girl.
"Thank you for your hospitality." He said with a bow of his head." And I shall take you up on your offer."
"Good." Aurora giggled. Maleficent stood back with a face of stone as she looked the man over. Aurora turned and walked away and the man watched her go. But when he turned back there was Maleficent standing next to him, her wings hovering behind her back.
"I'm sorry for any trouble I might have caused." He said with a nod of his head. Her eyes shifted to the ground. Noticing this he turned and walked away.
A short time later the stranger sat on a rock tossing stones in the stream with Aurora. She laughed and giggled as he showed her how to skip rocks. Maleficent stood nearby in the darkness watching the two. After a time of watching the two she spoke.
"Aurora!" she called getting the girl's attention." It's getting late. You should go to sleep my dear." Aurora nodded and turned to the stranger.
"Goodnight." She said to him." I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course." He said with a snicker. Then she gave him a curtsy and he nodded his head to her. Then Aurora turned and went to Maleficent. Wishing her Fairy Godmother 'goodnight' before leaving the scene entirely.
Then the stranger looked up and standing on the ledge above him was Maleficent. The air was still and silent much like they were. Aurora had not though to ask the questions that burned in Maleficent's own mind so now she asked them.
"Good evening." He said to her first, breaking the silence." I thank you again for healing my wound and saving my life." She nodded to him but her question was more important.
"Who are you and where do you come from?" she asked. The man gulped down a breath.
"I come from far, far away." He answered her.
"And what are you doing here?" she asked next.
"I was lost in the woods." He said." I was attacked in the woods by a group of bandits."
'Poor fellow' Maleficent though in her head. But he had still avoided the most important question of all." You never answered me, what is your name?" He gazed up at her and their eyes met once more. And she could see his eyes filled with sorrow and woe.
"I am known by many names." He said in a voice as sad as he was." Thief, Warrior, Assassin, Lin Kuei." Maleficent took some careful steps towards him as he spoke." Not friend" He answered, lifting his head and turning it towards her. But her face was cold and distant so he continued." I came here in an attempt to free my brother." Maleficent cocked her head to him." A great warrior he stood before a God in an attempt to save innocent lives, but was defeated. He was forced into a ring of fire and will stay there for eternity as punishment for his crimes. I vowed to free my brother and roam the lands searching for a way to free him." And his story warmed Maleficent's heart. He was not unlike herself, not a monster but a living being who's only crime was love. He must love his brother just like she had once loved Stephen.
"I am sorry. "She said looking at the ground." Of your plight. And I understand your pain."
"Do you?" He asked rotating his head towards her. There's eyes met once more and she shifted her's to the ground.
"I was in love once." She answered.
"Once?" he asked.
"A false love." She said." But in my misery I found hope." She took a step towards him." I found Aurora, who was the family I never had." She took another step closer to him, his large frame hulking over her.
They were standing close now. Close enough that they could feel the other's hot breath on them. Close so that when they breathed their puffed out chests touched. She reached out and put her hand on his forehead then ran it along the side of his face.
"Why do you wear a mask?" she asked.
"My brothers mask." He answered. Maleficent held down a squeak.
"Can I take it off?" she asked. He nodded and slowly she began lifted it off his head. But as he did that his arm slowly worked it's way around her waist. She lifted it around his ear, then his head revealing one eye and then the other with his nose and finally his whole face.
He was truly very handsome. With a large strong chin, tough cheeks but they were covered in scares. But she hardly noticed it, instead she noticed his two piercing white eyes. She found herself getting lost in his eyes and he lost in her's. Slowly they began inching themselves towards each other until he finally took her in his arms and their lips met. She slid her arms around his broad shoulders. Their matching cloths mixing together as their lips locked.
And that night was the most wonderful night Maleficent ever had in her life. She'd found another being in this world just like her. Someone who was lost, scared, and longing for love. The difference was Maleficent had found the answer to that in Aurora. But on this night this stranger found that answer in her.
But the next morning she awoke by the steam to see he had gone. She stood up and began looking around to see where her lover had gone. But no matter where she looked she couldn't find him. She was certain he hadn't run away not after what happened last night. But then it came to her 'He's gone to see Aurora'. So she flew across the Moors and to the place where Aurora dwelled.
She assumed the girl would be a buzz with questions.'Do you love him?' 'Are you going to get married'. Maleficent smirked with a little girls' smile as she though it over. She flapped her wings and landed right before where Aurora lay.
"Aurora." She said as she approached. But there was no reply. She looked over to see the girl laying in bed still asleep." Aurora." She reached out to touch the girl. But that's when something awful happened.
The golden ball that was the back of Aurora's head suddenly rolled from it's place on the bed and onto the ground.
"AH!" Maleficent jumped up in fright. She gazed shocked with her mouth wide open as Aurora's head lay on the ground before her, leaving a bloody trail from the bed to her feet." AURORA!" She cried as she fell to her knees tears falling from her face like raindrops. Her cries of sorrow echoed all around the land. But then she managed to compose herself.
The man, her 'lover' he had done this. With a rage she felt like never before Maleficent took to the skies and began searching all over the moors for the murderer. Her sorrow was replaced with rage as she spotted him on the other edge of the forest in an open field.
"MURDERER!" she roared in the skies as she dove at him. He turned just in time to avoid her, ducking to the ground. She flew over him and turned back landing on the ground before him. When he looked up next she was standing before him with a stone cold look of fury in her face." You did that to her." He stood up to his full height." You killed Aurora."
"Not just that." He said as he straightened himself out. He jerked his neck from one side to the other, a loud cracking sounding filling the air." First I raped her." Maleficent jolted back appalled." She screamed and screamed like music to my ears, but she wasn't screaming after I tore her head from her shoulders with my bare hands!" Maleficent covered her mouth in shock."
"Why?" she said with a voice of sorrow. He cocked his head to her and did not answer." I thought you loved me-" She was cut off as he reared his head back and a cackling laughter unlike anything she'd ever heard before echoed into the air.
"HaHaHaHa!" He laughed." Me love you! Foolish, stupid woman! I used you, used you to get what I wanted!" Maleficent dropped to her knees and cried. The man put his hands together and spoke in as soft and innocent a voice as he could." Oh my poor brother tortured and imprisoned." He batted his unnatural eyes a few times for extra 'innocence'. Then once again he reared his head back and roared with his thunderous laugh again.
But now Maleficent had heard enough and with a roar of her own and tears in her eyes she lunged forward, using her wings to propel her forward. But the second she got close to him, all the man did was grab her by the throat and slam her to the ground. Despite her magic and any other tricks she had she wasn't thinking straight or else she would have known not to take someone as big as him on like this.
He held her to the ground and sat ontop of her.
"The old familiar places. "He chuckled darkly." On your back, on the side." Then he slammed his other hand onto her throat and began to squeeze." Standing up." Maleficent flapped her wings as she tried to get away but she was no good on her back."Upside down ,bent over!" The air began to leave her body and her eyes began to roll into the back of her head as he began shaking her. But then in a strange surprise he released her and stepped back.
Maleficent looked up and watched as he swing his leg up only to slam it down onto her wing. Hitting right on the joint and snapping it in two. Maleficent rolled over and cried out in pain. He chuckled as he stood over her taking a step but not stepping on her wing but around it. Maleficent looked up and saw him walking away. At this point she only wanted one thing.
"Kill me." She said aloud her voice stopping him in his tracks. He turned back and faced her laying on the ground, broken and in pain." Kill me." She said again.
He turned and began walking back. He knelt down in front of her and took her head in his hands.
"No." He said." I'm going to let you live. For the rest of your life I want you to live knowing that I took what was most precious to you. After you spread your legs for me." Maleficent turned her head away from him but he forced his eyes to look back at him." I killed your little girl. I fucked her bloody. Her warm blood mixing with my seed as it overflowed inside her. She cried 'Fairy Godmother, Fairy Godmother help me, help me.' But you never came. And now you have to live with that fact that you failed the person you loved most, and the only one to blame for that is yourself. And the best part is" He took one hand away from her face, moved it down and pressed it against her stomach." Soon you may have a physical reminder of your failure. And who knows" He said with a dark chuckle." You might like it more than the girl." He took his hand away from her stomach and back to her face, making sure she was looking at him now." I am Noob Saibot. Never forget my face, and never forget my name." He let her go, stood up and walked away.
Maleficent hung her head and cried as the stomping of Noob's boots drifted farther and farther away until silence. She never knew where he came from or what he wanted, but he in one single night had shown her the meaning of life. And the next morning he took it all away from her.