Darkness had fallen over the kingdom and the queen looked down from balcony as the torches were lit all over the castle. The smile that usually would come at this time, seeing the slumbering people under her rule, did not this night. The air was heavy with tension and suspense. Then...the torches started to go out.
"It's begun." She said solemnly.
Behind her, the guards were rushing throughout the castle to fortify the doors to keep out the intruders. She rubbed her wrists, feeling her magic start to churn in anticipation. She would defend what was hers to the death. Everyone knew not to piss off the Evil Queen. Few were stupid enough or brave enough to even dare attack her. But they weren't dealing with a typical warlord or greedy kingdom next door. No, they were battling something far worse. Little Red Riding Hood gone bad, with a new meaning to the word red in her name. Little Red and her pretty red cloak was gone. In her place, was the werewolf queen of an army of werewolves and wolves. The Dread Wolf.
"Tell me again why Little Red suddenly wants to conquer the world." Regina said as she stepped back into the throne room.
Snow looked up at her. "I inadvertently got most of her family killed when you sent your man hunters after me." Their two kingdoms were under an uneasy truce for the time being to deal with the threat of Red. The Dread Wolf had already taken over two kingdoms in the span of 2 weeks. An army rode at her heels, large enough to be split in half and still manage to be a force great enough to conquer two castles. Their alliance was merely a necessity. Regina nor Snow had the manpower to hold off Red, but the Queen possessed the necessary fortifications to put up a fight. "She defended me against her mother and we ran back to her town, but your soldiers found us again. She just snapped when they killed her Granny. I haven't seen her since."
"Well then, I say we throw you to the fucking wolves." Regina snapped, pacing the room. "Then she'll go away and leave the world in peace from your idiosy."
"It was your men who killed her family." Charming said, standing at the door with their armed guards, prepared to defend against the oncoming threat.
"Snow knew the danger she posed in being friends with anyone. She knew she was being hunted for treason and was still willing to put other people in danger for it. Besides, it all began with her and it'll end with her." Regina replied.
"I was 10 when I told that secret. When are you gonna let it go?" Snow sighed, unsheathing her bow.
"When I rip out your heart and crush it in front of Charming. Just like Mother did to Daniel and me...because of you. Because of a secret being told. 10 or not, you knew what you did was wrong." Regina turned her back to them, steeling herself against the onslaught of emotions at the mention of her lost love.
"Regina...I...I didn't know."
"You didn't need to. Now, if you don't mind, your little friend is gonna be here any second." She turned back to the task at hand, blinking back the hot tears, and went to look out the kingdom. It was dark and silent. "Where are you?" She whispered, scanning the gloom for any sign of wolves, but seeing nothing. Then she heard the horns, coming from all around her. They were accompanied by deep drums and the howls of many, many wolves. "Now we're getting somewhere." She walked back into the room, closing the balcony doors and sealing them and all the windows with magic. "Brace the doors." She commanded to her soldiers. Charming's men remained huddled in the center of the room. A heavy piece of wood was inserted into the slots behind the door, effectively locking it and she sealed it with magic as well.
"Protect the queen at all costs." Said one of her lieutenants. "If she is to fall, we shall fall with her. In the wake of our deaths, the kingdoms will be overrun. Stand your ground."
Regina smirked. The Black Soldiers were incompetent mostly, but their loyalty knew no bounds. She went to her throne, standing in front of it, a fireball forming in her palm. Her men formed around the steps at her feet. Snow and Charming stood at her side. The doors shook and she steeled herself for battle. The doors shook again and she could hear the sounds of panting wolves behind it. The door was splintering by the fourth hit. A crack was in the door and Snow fired, hitting her mark perfectly. There came the sound of surprised whimpering and the arrow was pulled through the door. The archers prepared to fire. The Black Soldiers dropped into a phalanx, their shields raised and their spears and swords ready to tear into the invaders. Then the doors gave, cracking the great beam holding them together. There was a long pause before the doors burst open and the archers fired on instinct...hitting nothing. There was no one behind the door.
"Reload. Quickly." Snow commanded.
A man suddenly rolled into the doorway and fired an arrow, aiming directly at Regina. She caught it easily, but she missed the dart being fired just behind it and flinched when it imbedded itself in her shoulder. Snow killed the archer with an arrow to the throat and he dropped dead.
"Are you alright, my queen?" Asked the lieutenant.
"No, my magic...it's gone." Regina hissed. The dart must have been poisoned, neutralizing her magic. She was powerless. "Damn." She growled as she reached behind her throne and pulled out a black sword with a jeweled hilt. "Guess we'll have to do this the old fashioned way. Come on out, you filthy dogs."
Growling was the only thing that was heard as several citizens were pushed into the room. Just behind them with knives and claws pressed against the throats of the people, were the werewolves, dressed in furs and leather and war paint, looking every bit the savages they were. Regina noticed an odd sophistication at play as well. These were werewolves, only part wolf. The other part was very human, and very intelligent. They kept the terrified citizens in front of them, ducking down behind them so they couldn't be shot. There were at least 20 of them and they lined up in two rows, one behind the other, all of them growling like beasts.
"Where's Red?" Snow demanded.
"That's not my name." Light footsteps were heard as the Dread Wolf herself stepped through the throne room doors. Red smiled, still as stunningly beautiful as always with eyes that glowed gold. She wore a fitted black bodice with one sleeve made of a thin mesh and the other a long cape of black swan feathers. Tight black pants encased long, smooth legs and long black boots covered her feet. Several pieces of jewelry, from small runestones to rocks and feathers to a ruby necklace, hung from her frame. The symbol of the moon was visible on the side of her neck. She looked savage, yet at the same time, she was beautiful. Regina could see the animal like twinkle in her eye and took a careful step back. "My name is Ruby. Little Red...is dead." Ruby walked forward, lazily, with an arrogant swagger and predator-like grace. "I did not come here to fight, believe it or not. I came to talk and to make you an offer." She paused, smirking up at the Royals. "You see, my army is within your halls. They've already secured the innocent men and women and children. Should I give the signal, all of them will be slaughtered. I require only one thing to release them."
"What do you want?" Regina demanded.
Ruby made a tsk tsk sound. "So impatient. I'm sure you have nowhere to be at the moment. Take a seat, and relax. I'm only getting started."
Regina exchanged looks with Charming. She obeyed at sitting on her throne, but her soldiers didn't drop their weapons. At the moment, the Dread Wolf held all the cards and they were at a distinct disadvantage. Snow and Charming weren't going to budge with innocents in a decision had to be made, Regina was going to be the one to make it. Ruby held the cards, but as the queen, she held power. Now, she needed to decided whether to use it. She could order her men to attack. The innocents would die, but if they could get to Ruby and kill her before she gave the signal, the rest would be spared. But for how long, she didn't know. "What is it you want?" She asked again in her usual regal tone.
Ruby made a swiping motion with her finger and one of the wolves cut down the citizens, slicing their throat in a single, practiced motion. "Just so you know I was serious."
"You didn't have to do that!" Snow yelled.
"I don't believe I was talking to you, Princess." Ruby growled, raising her hand again.
"Shut up." Regina hissed to her step daughter. "Say nothing and don't move." She glared the woman into submission before turning back to the wolf. "Please continue, Dread Wolf."
Ruby smiled and lowered her hand. "That's more like it. Now, you've seen my work, capturing kingdoms, slaughtering warlords and their armies, etc. etc. Pretty much conquering nearly half of the Enchanted Forest. A pretty sizable territory for my pack. That's all well and good, but I'm thinking of a much bigger picture." She started pacing slowly as she spoke, demonstrating with her hands as she did so. "I have a much more intricate plan to achieve a greater desire, and I need...a little help. Your majesty, if you will, please come forward. There is but two little things you must do and I will spare this entire kingdom. If not...I will destroy it."
There really was no choice in that suggestion. Regina boldly stepped forward and her lieutenant barred her way, glaring at Ruby. She was about to order him to stand aside, but the werewolf that had killed his citizen bargaining chip, launched his neck, hitting the lieutenant in the neck, right in the tiny chink where his helmet met his breastplate. A precision shot. The lieutenant crumpled to the ground. She paused, sighing at the waste of a life, but continued on when Ruby tapped her foot impatiently. The phalanx closed behind her. "You called."
"Indeed, I did." Ruby circled her, like an animal zeroing on its prey. But the queen held firm, keeping her composure under the predatory gaze.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because." Ruby stopped in front of her, speaking softly. "Someone once told me that the wolf is a part of me. In order to control it, I had to accept myself for what I was. I have. My wolf and I are one. I wanted to be both." she nodded to Snow. "Princess over there, reminded me that I don't have that luxury."
"You do. Everyone has a choice." Regina said.
"Did you choose to become the Evil Queen? Did you wake up one morning and decide I'm gonna be an evil bitch and marry an old bastard, assassinate him and steal his kingdom? No, you didn't. Evil has to be crafted, forged, made. What made you evil? What put darkness in your heart? It was never always there, was it?"
"No." Regina answered softly.
"I didn't think so." Ruby growled. "I won't ask what happened. I know that can be hard to even think about. So, I'll give you this." She held up her hand and the wolf brought her a pair of shackles. "Allow me."
"No, what is this for? I'm powerless. I don't need to be shackled."
"You have no magic but I'm not stupid enough to think you can't fight, my dear. Please don't insult my intelligence in such a way." came the fierce snarl that made her shudder. She held up her wrists and Ruby put on the shackles.
"And now? You're going to kill me?" Regina asked.
Ruby looked confused. "Why the hell would I do that? Believe me, your life is far more precious than these common peasants." She glanced up at the others. "Tell them to drop their weapons."
"Promise you won't hurt the people. Say you'll let them go."
Ruby tilted her head, making another gesture. Another citizen of the kingdom was killed as her neck was snapped. Another was dragged into the middle of the room by two of the werewolves and ripped in half. Even Regina gasped at such brutality.
"Drop them! Drop your weapons, now. Stop it, Ruby. Stop. Just...stop." Ruby turned Regina's head away from the carnage, focusing back on her. "Enough already."
"What happened to the cold heart? To the Evil Queen?" Ruby asked.
"She wants to know what kind of monster she's talking to." Regina hissed. "What kind of beast am I looking at? There has always been a reason for the things I do. This is not needed. You have me. Let them go."
"They are irrelevant. Do you realize that when our legends will be told, you will only and always be the Evil Queen? The Life Ruiner. The cold hearted queen. Why waste your energy caring about those beneath you. 10 years from now, no one will know them, won't even remember them. 20 years, they'll be nothing. But you...are far more precious. You hold more meaning than they do. Whether they live or die changes nothing. This night will end the same."
"Then what is your demand, you bitch?" Regina snapped. The wolves started chuckling and Ruby rolled her eyes. "What's so funny?"
One of the wolves closest to them turned his head. "It is funny, because she really is a bitch." The others started laughing again.
"All of you shut up. Gods, you're so unprofessional!" Ruby whined. "Idiots, the lot of you." Regina tilted her head, watching Snow slowly draw an arrow and nock it. She was being discreet as she slowly pulled back the string. Ruby was standing in front of Regina with her back to the others. The princess suddenly fired. Ruby simply leaned to the side and Regina nearly missed catching the arrow. It stopped an inch from her face and Ruby chuckled. "Impressive. Where did you learn that?"
"Magic." Regina glared at Snow.
"Neat. But back to what I wanted." Ruby continued, completely dismissing the fact that Snow had just tried to shoot her. "I want a kiss."
"What?"
"I didn't stutter."
"I don't kiss dogs."
"You don't really have a choice." Ruby whispered in her ear, before leaning back with a smug grin. "Kiss me and the kingdom will be spared."
Regina curled her lip. "Fine. A kiss for a kingdom."
"A kiss for a kingdom." Ruby repeated. She smiled as she leaned forward and kissed Regina's lips. Regina wanted to feel repulsed, and she was, but Ruby was a damn good kisser. Ruby cupped her cheek, leaning back to look her in the eye. The wolf's were twinkling and were no longer gold but a stunning bright blue. "I've always wanted a pet queen." She looked at her wolves. "Take her." A sack was thrown over Regina's head and she was grabbed by two of the wolves, and hoisted onto their shoulders as though she weighed nothing. She struggled, but she was no match for them. She heard screaming and fighting and the sound of glass shattering. She was carried for a while, unable to tell how long or where she was going. Finally she was placed on solid ground and the bag on her head was removed. They were in the forest, surround on all sides by tall, gnarly trees.
"Is that it?" Ruby was speaking with one of the numerous wolves under her command. They were everywhere. There were the smaller, regular wolves that she knew. The werewolves in their beast form were far larger, perhaps bigger than a horse. The air was alive with their growls and snarls as they moved back and forth like a sea of fur and claws as far as she could see. They parted for Ruby as she walked to Regina and took her wrist.
"Where the hell are you taking me?" Regina hissed.
"To camp. I would imagine you want to bathe, change, rest up." Ruby said, mounting a great red stallion. She pulled up Regina in front of her.
"This is not a social call. You kidnapped me. I will make you pay."
"Ha ha ha." Said the wolf mockingly. "How are you gonna do that with no magic and no hands? And besides, I have a friend you should meet. I'm sure the two of you will have lots to talk about." The rest of the wolves melted into the forest at a signal from Ruby, as though they were never there at all. Ruby's pack was incredibly organized and efficient. Despite how well a commander she may've been, Regina was ready to snap her neck. If only she could get the damn cuffs off. "I'm not going to hurt you, Regina." Ruby said after a few minutes of riding. "I would like your cooperation."
"You attack my castle, kill my guards and kidnap me. And now you want me to cooperate with you?! You're out of your fucking mind." Regina rolled her eyes.
"That may be, my pet, but who is the one shackled? I'm twice as strong as you will ever be. I could make you do whatever I desired, but I won't. Believe it or not, I care about you. Just like I care about your new friend you're about to meet."
"As if." Regina scoffed. "And what friend?"
"She's actually more than a friend. But you'll see soon enough. There are more components I need to obtain before we can begin my master plan." She chuckled to herself. "But I had to grab you now before you disappeared on me. You really must have been desperate to forge an alliance with Princess."
"I had no choice because of you. People were rioting and I didn't have to subdue them. Snow's people brought peace."
"And how long would this have lasted? With your temper and the Princess' sickening desire to be everyone's friend?"
"Not long I suppose." Regina sighed.
"They survived." Ruby said. "Jumped out the window."
"Wonderful." came the happy reply, full of sarcasm. Ruby chuckled. "When will the poison wear off so I can get my magic back?"
"So you can escape from my clutches, my pet?" Ruby cooed. "Oh no, we can't have that. A wolf always needs a pet queen."
Regina gulped at the gentle purr. "What happened to you? I watched Snow and you. You were friends."
"Were is the most important word in that sentence. She brought Black Soldiers right into my mother's den. They slaughtered half the pack before we took them down. My mother and my friend, Quinn, both perished. I blamed you. Snow said that was it. No more soldiers. We were going to run away and hide. But more soldiers came and attacked my village….burned it to the ground. My Granny shot 30 of the bastards before they killed her. She was a tough old woman."
Regina frowned. "I never gave the orders to attack a village."
"Well your friends got the wrong message."
"Then why aren't you mad at me? Why hate Snow?"
"The Princess did something else that doesn't concern you. And I am mad at you, but I need you."
"For what?"
"Something special." came the cryptic answer. "Behold, my pet, the Dread Wolf's camp." They came upon a rise and Ruby pulled the stallion to a halt at the top of it. Regina gasped at the sight of the large sprawling camp below, as far as the eye could see. Most of them were tents with humans and wolves walking among them. She could see several blacksmiths and cooking stations and pit fires. Some of the wolves were sparring and fighting. One tent however, was far larger than the rest. Bright red in a sea of brown and black. "Lovely, isn't it? We haven't found a castle to our liking yet, but soon we'll need to find one. Winter is coming." Ruby spurred the horse forward down into the camp. Regina squirmed when the people and wolves looked up at them as they passed. "Relax. They won't harm you. Not if they want to live."
"That's very reassuring."
Ruby chuckled deeply behind her. They stopped in front of the large red tent. A gray tent was next to it, smaller than the red one, but bigger than the others. Ruby dismounted and helped Regina down. A small red fox trotted up to them before shifting into a woman, about 19 years of age by the looks of it. She was slender and graceful with long red hair, wearing a leather bodice and a long brown skirt. "How is she, Fee?"
"Complaining as usual, my lady. But nothing I can't handle."
"Excellent. Please, show her majesty where she can bathe and find her something suitable to wear. How many came in today?"
"Only one pack. 23 wolves."
"That's it?" Ruby sighed. "We're preparing fast enough. Let loose the horns. I want every werewolf within this region to hear our call."
"What are you amassing for?" Regina asked.
Ruby ignored her. Not surprisingly. "Once the ladies are done, bring them to my tent and make sure my scouting party is ready for tomorrow. I want to be out bright and early so I can get back for the Northern clans arrive."
"As you wish." The fox held out her hand and Regina reluctantly took it. She briefly wondered if she could overpower the small girl, but the firm grip on her hand dismissed that idea. Besides, she was still shackled and literally in the middle of a camp of hundreds of werewolves. She would be caught before she made two steps. First she needed to stay alive, then maybe find out just what the hell Ruby was up to. Fee lead her to a tent where there a hot springs inside, unshackled Regina and left to retrieve her clothes. Regina quickly scrubbed herself clean. For now she would play along with Ruby's little game, but if she saw an opportunity, she was going to take it. Fee returned with a long sleeveless red dress which Regina changed into.
"Care to explain what the hell's going on?" Regina asked as she lead back to the tent next to Ruby's.
"Nope. The Dread Wolf will explain all in good time. I will return momentarily after the horns are sounded." She motioned for Regina to enter the tent and walked off to do Ruby's bidding. Two burly men took up position outside the entrance. The interior of the tent was beautiful, decorated in multiple furs with three cots on raised platforms. There were braziers placed all around the room with a small desk off to the side and a table in the center. There was a woman pacing the room. She was pretty with wavy red hair and stunning blue eyes, dressed in a green dress of similar make to Regina's own.
"She found you." The redhead said.
"Who are you?" Regina asked.
"My name is Zelena."
"Do we know each other?"
"You don't know me, but I know you. I'm Cora's other daughter. Her first born."
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Ruby had changed into a long sleeved white shirt and brown leather pants with a long black coat over it that she usually reserved for nights in. She was seated on her grand fur covered throne, built out of bone and black stone singed by dragon fire. Her tent was extravagantly decorated with carpets and a long table covered in an endless supply of food. She was oiling her Granny's treasured crossbow, a task that Granny would never be able to complete again, but always managed to put Ruby at ease. So much had changed in the span less than a year. She had gone from a young woman just trying to figure out who and she was to a werewolf commanding an army of her kind. She placed the crossbow to the side and sighed, running a hand through her hair and glanced up as Regina and Zelena entered. The daughters of the heartless heart ripper. Cora's legacy to the world. Evil and Wicked. She had been surprised to find out that Zelena had known about Cora and Regina. She hadn't been easy to capture at all. It hadn't taken a day long siege on the Emerald City to catch the Wicked Witch. The woman was powerful. Even more so than Regina, and still a great mystery. She put on a bunch of bravado about hating Regina and Cora, but there was something off her that Ruby couldn't quite name.
"Are you gonna tell us why we're here now?" Regina demanded.
"Nope." Ruby stood up and walked forward, gesturing to the table piled high with food. "I wanted you to eat, make sure you're staying healthy and strong. I will you tell you my plans soon, but-"
"There are three cots in our tent." Regina interrupted. "Who is the third one for?"
"Why, the Queen of Hearts herself." Ruby smirked. "I assume you know already that you're sisters? One is the Wicked Witch of the West, the other is the Evil Queen. Cora fucked up both of your lives. Big happy family." She laughed as she plucked a handful of grapes off the table and popped one into her mouth. "I'll you guys some wine, we can relax."
"What are you plotting?" Zelena asked.
"Red or white?" Ruby asked, ignoring her question. "Red, of course."
The witch let out a frustrated groan and turned to eating, but Regina was not so persuaded. She would rather starve than touch that food. Something was keeping Zelena's magic at bay or she would've escaped by now, and it was probably in the food.
"Eat, Regina. It's not poisoned. That's more your style, isn't it?" Ruby handed them a goblet of wine and returned to eating her grapes. "How have you been treated in my absence, your wickedness?"
Zelena looked up from inspecting a piece of meat with a disgusted face. "Well...I was kidnapped from my castle, poisoned with a stupid dart and held against my will in a werewolf camp for the last 3 days. I am just peaches and cream, dear."
"And Regina? I trust Fee treated you well."
"Well enough. Ruby just tell us why we're here. What's going on? Please."
Ruby smirked. They were so cute when they were frustrated. "I can't tell you yet, my pet. Once Cora gets here, I'll have to explain everything all over again." She smiled at seeing the gears tick away in their heads, trying to come up with a reason for her gathering them all together. "All in due time. Don't worry yourselves. However, if you require any entertainment, please do ask."
"Dread Queen." Fee peeked into the tent. "Lord Marcus is here with his pack and he's not happy."
"I did not call for Lord Marcus." Ruby sighed. "Send him in." She returned to her throne and motioned for Regina and Zelena to go to the other side of the table, out of the way of danger. They obeyed, crouching slightly in anticipation for what was to come next.
Marcus was a large, broad shouldered man. He stood at least a foot taller than the Dread Wolf with a shaved head and war paint all over his bare chest. A simple loincloth and boots was all he wore for clothing. He stormed into her pavilion and glared at her. "Why have we been turned away? You called our people. Every other pack has been let into camp but my own."
"Your pack may enter, but not you." Ruby replied smugly. "Simple."
"I am their fucking alpha."
"Congratulations on your part."
"Why-"
"Because I don't like sheep!" Ruby roared, leaning forward. "I don't like wolves with the hearts of sheep. In the last battle, your pack fought valiantly. You ordered them to retreat. Sheep hearted fool. I don't like cowards and I don't like you. Now leave my sight and be sure to never enter it again."
"And just how are you the leader of us? Who put you in charge?"
"I put myself in charge because the humans treated us like animals. Like mindless beasts that were beneath them, inferior to them. I decided to prove them wrong. We wolves are forces to be reckoned with. But you would rather hide out in a cave, hiding your existence than fighting for your people. I am sick of hiding. I am sick of humans. That is why change is coming. But I am the only one who knows how to bring about this change."
"Attacking random kingdoms will only bring armies down on our heads." Marcus replied.
Ruby rose to her feet, stepped slowly down off of her pedestal. "Everything that has been done has served a purpose. You are too stupid to see it. Now leave, Marcus, and let the real wolves solve our little dilemma."
"I deserve to be among our people." He growled.
"You will deserve death if you defy my orders one more fucking time." Ruby growled back. She glared the larger man down until he backed away. "Follow him to the border." She ordered one of the guards. "Sorry you had to hear that, ladies. I do try to stay civil but as you can see, I am dealing with morons. Please, enjoy your meal and tell Fee when you are ready to go back to your tent for the night. If you will excuse me." Ruby turned to leave, growling under her breath.
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Regina returned to their tent with Zelena. "What is she up to? Do you have any idea?"
Zelena wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to her. They listen. She needs our magic. She's looking for something powerful.
Looking for what? Regina wrote back.
I don't know. Biding our time is the best chance we have.
I agree. Once she finds Mother, we'll have our answer.
And if the answer means our deaths? What if it's something we don't want to hear?
People are dying. Whole kingdoms are crumbling. Soon, what will be able to stand against her?
Us. Once we get our magic.
How she is neutralizing it?
I don't know. The food is fine. The drinks don't do anything. I honestly can't tell you what happens after the first injection with that stupid fucking dart.
I suppose we just have to wait now.
I suppose so.
It's weird, knowing I have a sister.
I hated you. I thought you stole the life I was supposed to have. But now I know what happened. You can keep your life.
Thanks. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Good night, Regina." Zelena said with a snicker as she flopped on her bed.
"Good night, Zelena." Regina tore up the piece of the paper and tossed it into the fire. Sleep came easier than she thought it would. The whole ordeal of dealing with Snow and Charming for the past week preparing a battle plan and being kidnapped by a psychopathic werewolf had really taken its toll on her. The next morning she was awoken by the sounds of thundering hooves as Ruby lead her scouting party off to procure her next victim. The Queen of Hearts.
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Read and review please. Thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated. I get a lot of ideas at random times and I really liked this one for some reason. I know I have to update my other stories but I really had to put this one out there. So yeah. R/R! Sorry for any mistakes.