A chill blew through the still night air. Taran, Fflewddur, Gurgi and Princess Elioway had long since departed the Horned King's castle after reigning victorious over the villain himself- the menace that had terrorized the lands for far too many years. All in pursuit for a cauldron. But, this cauldron was no ordinary pot. This cauldron had the power to rule the world. Blinded by greed, the Horned King had gone through desperate measures to secure the cauldron in his grasp, only to have its power turned on him at the end.

The Horned King floated, trapped inside the cauldron. He had tried many times to escape, but he knew for it to be futile. The cauldron was too powerful for him. He swore and cursed at those two kids, a shaggy sort of creature and an old man. The mere thought of this fuelled his rage, a source for his horrible magic. Feasting on his fury, the Horned King summoned a vast amount of power and strength, his anger increasing faster then his immense powers.

"RELEASE ME!" He bellowed. A flash of white hot power exploded from his body, blasting him out of the cauldron. Disoriented, the clanking of nearby chains brought his vision back into focus. A wave of triumph passed through him. He was finally free! Free to take his revenge out on that filthy boy and his friends. He raised his hands in the air to summon his power- but it didn't work. The Horned King brought his hands back down and tried to produce a single spark. Nothing occurred. Throbbing fury and icy fear shot through him. Without his powers, he was nothing. He would never be able to unleash his revenge into the world. Without his powers, he would never be able to manipulate the powers of the Black Cauldron, something he had been destined to do. He paced the room, torn robes hanging off his skeletal frame. There had to be a solution- but what? He stopped suddenly. A smirk would be extremely prominent on his face if he had the skin to show if. To get his powers back, he would have to strike a deal with the devil himself. He would have to serve the most powerful villain in the history of creation. Which suited him fine. This dark force would never lose.

He would have to find Chernabog.
But where to start?
Luckily, he had heard rumors.

*****

In the meantime, a tall dark woman concealed in black and purple robes and a green pallor strode across the hall in a dark ruined castle. The state of her hideout wasn't the very bottom of her annoyances, but one thing overruled it all. Sora. Donald. Goofy. Mickey. Those four names had the power to send her into an uncontrolled fury.

But, she could do something about it.

"Your evilness!" Gasped an immensely fat creature as he finally caught up to her.

"Pete." Maleficent said curtly. There were times (like now) that she wished that she had killed the clingy mutt a long time ago. But there were times that he had proved to be useful. So, she kept him around.

"Just wondering...are we going to stay in this castle for the rest of our lives?" Her temper flared. How dare he question her plans!

"No Pete. If you are so curious, maybe I should send YOU to the mountain tonight." Pete dropped to the floor, trembling.

"Oh your evilness! Don't send me to his Mightiness!"

"If you're good...then I'll find the compassion in me to spare you."

"But, your evilness...it won't be long before King Mickey-"

"Mickey is almost as stupid as you, you fool. I WILL have kingdom hearts in my grasp this time."

"But your ladyship, with-"

"DON'T SAY THEIR NAMES!" Maleficent screamed green fire consumed her. Pete yelped and jumped back, tripping over his own apologies. She spoke again as the fire around her died down.

"Those fools won't know who they're dealing with this time. We have...a bit of leverage with us this time."

"His Mightiness Chernabog?" Pete asked.

"No. Tell me Pete, use your brain. Chernabog was dead. I brought him back. What is the one thing that could do that?"

"Your powers?" Pete said hestiently. Maleificent cackled.

"Try this!" With a flourish, Maleficent produced a swhite palm sized stone, shaped like a keyhold. It noticeably shined and sparkled every colour of the rainbow.

"The kingdom stone?" Pete said, truly in awe. He had only heard stories about the stone.

*****

The Horned Kings scruffy robe dragged on the floor, as each step he took it became even more frail and ragged. He was making his way to the place where the one he was searching for, would surely be. He pulled up his disheveled hood so no one could see his face; if anyone were to recognize him, he would not be able to use his once vast amount of power in defence, or offense.

*****

Maléfique. The name of the infamous pub with hardly any customers. The outside was un-kept with rotten wood, a holy patched roof and spider webs hanging from every corner. There was even a filthy looking skull you could see through the dusty window.

The Horned King put a bony hand on the mushy wood door and pushed it open. The pub was located in Paris, France and was littered with various villains, either pushing or shouting at each other, or just enjoying a rather civil drink with each other as they discussed their enemies and how to over throw them. The Horned King drew himself up at the bar, ignoring the bartender when he asked him (or grunted at him) if he wanted a drink. It was pointless for him to drink. He had no stomach to store the burning liquid in. Instead, he leaned over and whispered.
"I'm looking for Maleficent." The bartender looked up.

"Haven't seen her since she opened the place a couple years ago." The bartender looked at him suspiciously. "Who are you?"

"My identity is of no concern to you." The Horned King spat. The bartender turned away, slapping his damp rag on the moldy table muttering, 'villains'.

"Is there anyone here that would know where she is?" The Horned King demanded. The bartender leaned towards him, an evil glint in his flat black eyes.

"What's in it for me?" The horned king shot out a fleshless hand and wrapped it around the bartender's neck.

"You get to keep your life. How's that for payment?" He hissed. He felt the bartender's adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed. Breaking out in sweat, he gestured over to the corner.

"There...the cloaked woman in the corner." The Horned King turned his gaze towards the corner the bartender was pointing at.

"Who is that?"

"Lady Tremaine." The bartender gasped as the Horned King squeezed harder on his throat. He let his hand drop after the bartender said her name.

"Cinderella's stepmother?" The bartender nodded quickly.

"Yeah. Been hanging out here a lot since Cinderella's rescue from Maleficent a couple years ago. It's been said she joined Maleficent and that she gathers recruits here, if they look like they hold promise." The Horned King stood up from his stool and walked towards the cloaked figure, without even uttering a thank you to the bartender.

****

"What do you think you're doing? Don't touch me you piece of filth!" Lady Tremaine's voice was bold and sharp at the same time. She brushed away his boney hand and took a defence step back.

"You, if you want to ever take another breath again, I'd suggest you tell me the whereabouts of Maleficent." He took a step closer and stared wickedly at Lady Tremaine. They stared at each other for awhile until they came to an understanding.

"Fine, Maleficent is in the back. I'll bring you to her, it's this way." The Horned King watched her snobbishly lead him behind the bar and into a dark room with an odd, green, smog enveloping the whole floor.

"What are you doing here?! Get rid of this preposterous looking thing and be gone at once! I'm busy!" Maleficent waved her had smoothly as to gesture them to leave.

"But Maleficent, I have only come here on this person's demand, I thought he may be of some use to you. I will leave now nevertheless." Lady Tremaine smiled as she walked out of the room. She was hoping The Horned King would be punished for wasting Maleficent's time. Nonetheless, even if he wasn't punished and instead accepted, she would be the one taking credit for finding him.

****

After Lady Tremaine's departure, Maleficent turned narrowed eyes towards the bony filth standing before her.
"You want to join me? Well then, what can you offer me?" She asked smoothly, picked up her staff, lighting a threatening green light. The Horned King wanted to shake. Malficent was ruthless. If he couldn't impress her, she wouldn't hesitant in killing him in the most horrible way possible. Somehow, he found the strength to stand still.

"Milady, I can offer you the power of the black cauldron." Maleficent's flame on her staff flickered slightly. The Horned King took that as a good sign. "The Black Cauldron is an ultimate power source. It can create a giant army of unstoppable soldiers, with enough power to overthrow any enemy- no matter how powerful." The flame on Maleficent's staff faded to a faint glow.

"Your proposition interests me. I accept your offer and decide not to kill you. Now, where is this Black Cauldron."

"In order for me to join your team, Lady Maleficent and harness the powers of the Black Cauldron, I require your help." Maleficent flame sparked.

"What?" Her demand was cold, sharp and biting.

"My powers. I've heard that the mighty Chernabog has been resurrected and freed. He holds the power to restore my powers." He noticed Maleficent's glowering look. "I swear milady, the Black Cauldron is worth it. It will contribute much power to your plot." Malfeicent drew her head up high, flame lighting up her staff again.

"Very well. But, one wrong move filth and I will kill you." The Horned King nodded tersely. This was his only chance for redemption. He would have to be careful. Maleficent slammed her staff three times on the floor, leaving scorch marks each time it made contact with the granite. The Horned King vaguely noticed the black marks spotted all around the smoky room before the room seem to shrink, extend and then spiral away.

****

As soon as the Horned King's vision came into focus again, he found himself immersed in complete darkness. A clap of thunder sounded, followed by a crackle of lightning, lighting up the area around him. A huge, dark cave was revealed in the flash of light.

"This is where Chernabog is." Maleficent said, gesturing in. "Tell him I sent you. But note this- it isn't always enough…" The Horned King trembled. He had no powers. He was defenceless. Nevertheless, he had come this far now. Turning towards where he thought the direction of the cave was, he tried to stride confidently towards the mouth of the cave. He promptly crashed into a hard stone wall.

"Fool!" Maleficent barked, slamming her staff three times on the floor again. The green flame appeared on her staff again, lighting up the area around them with a ghoulish light. Her purple eyes sparked. "Go on now. Before I change my mind and kill you before Chernabog can." The Horned King nodded quickly, and scurried into the cave. If he had a heart, it would be pounding. He crept along the grimy cave, listening hard for any scrapes or bumps that would alert him to Chernabog's presence.

"WHO GOES THERE?" A voice bellowed. The voice was so loud, it made the entire cave shake.

"The H-H-Horned King, Master Chernabog." The Horned King stammered, quickly bowing in the general direction of the voice. Chernabog was still concealed from view by the rocks in the cave, or he was choosing not to be shown. "Maleficent sent me."

"And why do you think that will save you?" Chernabog hissed. "No one is allowed in here, except Maleficent." A stalagmite crashed to the floor, inches away from the Horned King. He swallowed. He would have to act fast.

"Please sir, hear me out. If you would so humbly accept me as your servant, I have the power to help her evilness free you from this wretched cave." The cave fell silent.

"What powers do you posses?" Came Chernabog's demand.

"My league, I am the one who can control the Black Cauldron."

"The Black Cauldron." Came the hissing reply. "You're telling me, that you, a piece of filth can control the mighty powers of the Black Cauldron?"

"Yes, my Mightiness." The Horned King said, infusing his voice with the utmost respect.

"Show me."

"I cannot, your Mightiness. I- I was defeated by my enemy and thrown into the Cauldron. I managed to escape, but only at the cost of my power. I was hoping that my Lord Chernabog could restore my powers so I would be able to help him rid himself of the curse upon himself."

"Very well," came the hissing reply. "But only on one condition. You live to serve me and no one else, not even Maleficent. You will do what I say, fight who I say to fight. If you break this condition, I will kill you." The Horned King nodded his understanding.

"I promise to kill those who cause you trouble, Master." Suddenly, he was engulfed in blood red smoke. The smoke felt like it was burning him. The Horned King screamed, falling to the floor and writhing in pain. "I promised to serve you! I promised you a great army and this is how you reward me?" He cried. Abruptly, the pain stopped. He pushed himself up, feeling power that he had never known pulse through his veins. Wait- veins? He raised his arms to look at them, shocked to see grey skin covering thick bands of muscles instead of rotted grey bones. He looked over the rest of his body to find it the same- grey skin concealing hard muscle. He looked up in wonder.

"Thank you Master. I live to serve you."

"You better. Now...give Maleficent a message for me. It's time our…enemies come out of hiding."

****

After the Horned King disappeared into the back, the door to Maléfique opened again. An odd hush settled over the pub as two cloaked figures entered the pub, letting the door swing shut behind them. Taking off their cloaks, they walked in as if they owned the place. In some ways, they did. Blythe and Rika were the rulers of the planet Arrow. Not on the side of good, yet not on the side of evil. They tended to drift everywhere, straying to the sides that best benefited them. But, when they did pick sides, it was extremely rare. They preferred to ignore the conflicts surrounding them and usually kept their world from view. Blythe and Rika were well respected in all areas of good and evil, for their off the charts IQ and incredible combat skills.

Blythe and Rika drew up stools by the bar, ordering the green beverage that the pub was famous for.

"How are ya Bob?" Blythe inquired smoothly. The bartender broke into an uneasy smile.

"Been better. Just got threatened by a skeleton." He shook his head, blinking his rather large one eye. "Villains. Honestly, if this place didn't pay good and offer me protection from all evil activities, I would have quit long ago." Blythe nodded politely, downing her shot glass. She turned to Rika, who had already finished hers and was conversing with Cruella De Ville.

"Honestly, those puppies....I WANT MY COAT." Rika only looked remotely interested as she waved down Bob to order another shot for her and Blythe. She glanced at Blythe who was grinning at her predicament.

"Well, I guess you and that coat weren't meant to be." She declared, pushing her friend her drink. Blythe intercepted it neatly, trying not to laugh.

"But I must have that coat!" Cruella insisted.

"Look, Lady, I don't know WHY you're complaining about this to ME who doesn't even KNOW you. If you're so pissed off, go do something about it. So, shut up so I don't have to turn my relaxing evening into a bar fight. Got it?" the menacing tone of Rika's voice caused Cruella to snap her mouth shut. Rika turned back to Blythe.

"Honestly, WHY do we come here?"

"For the products. And it's always fun to knock around a few villains." Blythe said, grinning.

"Very true my friend...Oh so very true." Rika declared, as she and Blythe clicked their glasses together before downing them. Wiping their mouths, Bob replaced their glasses.

"We didn't order anything Bob." Blythe said patiently.

"I know. The Lady over there brought it for you guys. Says she's got a proposition for you." Blythe and Rika craned their necks to see Lady Tremaine sitting at the end of the bar.

"That's not creepy at all..." Rika muttered. "Can I exterminate her?" Blythe shushed her friend.

"I'm going to go see what she wants." She said, slipping off the bar stool and crossing over to the hunched figure of Lady Tremaine.

"Blythe Amadahy." Lady Tremaine said. "Sit."

"I'd rather stand." Blythe answered. Lady Tremaine's sour face turned up in a smirk.

"Very well. I'll cut to the chase then. I have a proposition for you and Rika." Blythe turned her head and motioned Rika to come and join them.

"I know that. What is it?" Blythe asked lazily, as Rika came and stood beside her. Blythe knew that it would be wrong to accept such a decision without Rika hearing the pros and cons as well. It was an unspoken code fiercely obeyed by the two friends.

"Come and join Maleficent." Lady Tremaine said. Rika barked a laugh.

"And why should we do that? We don't need to serve under someone. Our army is much more powerful then hers."

"Exactly." Lady Tremaine said, her lips curling. "Maleficent recognizes your powers. She would be most honoured if you would join her in world conquest."

"What's in it for us?" Blythe asked suspiciously. "You can't honestly expect powerful beings like us to join such a needy cause."

"Five worlds of your choice to rule over." Lady Tremaine said simply. "Just lend us your army and your skills. You won't have to put your beloved dragons at risk." Blythe and Rika stiffened as the word dragons passed Lady Tremaine's lips. The two girls owned four dragons, Dudley, Crusoe, Flair and Eclipse. They kept them hidden away until they were fighting age. But that wasn't what appealed to the girls the most. Five worlds, to rule over and control, with hardly doing anything. They could get five worlds without devastating their army. It was practically a freebie. Blythe and Rika looked at each other, realizing they were thinking the same thing.

"We'll consider it." Rika said, her voice clipped. Lady Tremaine took a long drink of her red wine.

"I'll be waiting for your answer."